Bhagavad Gita · Karma Yoga — The Yoga of Action
Chapter 3, Verse 23
"Bhagavad Gita 3.23" — meaning and explanation.
यदि ह्यहं न वर्तेयं जातु कर्मण्यतन्द्रितः | मम वर्त्मानुवर्तन्ते मनुष्याः पार्थ सर्वशः
yadi hyahaṃ na varteyaṃ jātu karmaṇyatandritaḥ . mama vartmānuvartante manuṣyāḥ pārtha sarvaśaḥ
Meaning
3.23 For, should I not ever engage Myself in action, unwearied, men would in every way follow My path, O Arjuna.
।।3.23।। यदि मैं सावधान हुआ (अतन्द्रित:) कदाचित कर्म में न लगा रहूँ तो, हे पार्थ ! सब प्रकार से मनुष्य मेरे मार्ग (र्वत्म) का अनुसरण करेंगे।।
Explanation
3.23 यदि if? हि surely? अहम् I? न not? वर्तेयम् engage Myself in action? जातु ever? कर्मणि in action? अतन्द्रितः unwearied? मम My? वर्त्म path? अनुवर्तन्ते follow? मनुष्याः men? पार्थ O Partha? सर्वशः in every way.Commentary If I remain inactive? people also will imitate Me and keep iet. They will all become Tamasic and pass into a state of inertia.
Life Lesson
Study Bhagavad Gita 3.23 slowly, then express its central teaching through one thoughtful action in daily life.
Context
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 3, verse 23, from Krishna's dialogue with Arjuna at Kurukshetra.
Bhagavad Gita 3.23
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 3.23 mean?
3.23 For, should I not ever engage Myself in action, unwearied, men would in every way follow My path, O Arjuna.
What is the life lesson of this verse?
Study Bhagavad Gita 3.23 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 23, from Krishna's dialogue with Arjuna at Kurukshetra.