Bhagavad Gita · Karma Yoga — The Yoga of Action
Chapter 3, Verse 22
"Bhagavad Gita 3.22" — meaning and explanation.
न मे पार्थास्ति कर्तव्यं त्रिषु लोकेषु किञ्चन | नानवाप्तमवाप्तव्यं वर्त एव च कर्मणि
na me pārthāsti kartavyaṃ triṣu lokeṣu kiñcana . nānavāptamavāptavyaṃ varta eva ca karmaṇi
Meaning
3.22 There is nothing in the three worlds, O Arjuna, that should be done by Me, nor is there anything unattained that should be attained; yet I engage Myself in action.
।।3.22।। यद्यपि मुझे त्रैलोक्य में कुछ भी कर्तव्य नहीं हैं तथा किंचित भी प्राप्त होने योग्य (अवाप्तव्यम्) वस्तु अप्राप्त नहीं है, तो भी मैं कर्म में ही बर्तता हूँ।।
Explanation
3.22 न not? मे my? पार्थ O Partha? अस्ति is? कर्तव्यम् to be done (duty)? त्रिषु in the three? लोकेषु worlds? किञ्चन anything? न not? अनवाप्तम् unattained? अवाप्तव्यम् to be attained? वर्ते am? एव also? च and? कर्मणि in action.Commentary I am the Lord of the universe and therefore I have no personal grounds to engage. Myself in action. I have nothing to achieve as I have all divine wealth? as the wealth of the universe is Mine? and yet I engage Myself in action.Why do you not follow My example Why do you not endeavour to prevent the masses from following the wrong path by setting an example yourself If you set an example? people will follow you as you are a leader with noble alities.
Life Lesson
Study Bhagavad Gita 3.22 slowly, then express its central teaching through one thoughtful action in daily life.
Context
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 3, verse 22, from Krishna's dialogue with Arjuna at Kurukshetra.
Bhagavad Gita 3.22
This page presents the Sanskrit verse, transliteration, Hindi meaning, English meaning, and a simple explanation for study. For a fuller understanding, read this shloka in sequence with the rest of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 3.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Bhagavad Gita 3.22 mean?
3.22 There is nothing in the three worlds, O Arjuna, that should be done by Me, nor is there anything unattained that should be attained; yet I engage Myself in action.
What is the life lesson of this verse?
Study Bhagavad Gita 3.22 slowly, then express its central teaching through one thoughtful action in daily life.
What is the context of this verse?
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 3, verse 22, from Krishna's dialogue with Arjuna at Kurukshetra.