Bhagavad Gita · Karma Yoga — The Yoga of Action
Chapter 3, Verse 24
"Bhagavad Gita 3.24" — meaning and explanation.
उत्सीदेयुरिमे लोका न कुर्यां कर्म चेदहम् | सङ्करस्य च कर्ता स्यामुपहन्यामिमाः प्रजाः
utsīdeyurime lokā na kuryāṃ karma cedaham . saṅkarasya ca kartā syāmupahanyāmimāḥ prajāḥ
Meaning
3.24 These worlds would perish if I did not perform action; I should be the author of confusion of castes and destruction of these beings.
।।3.24।। यदि मैं कर्म न करूँ, तो ये समस्त लोक नष्ट हो जायेंगे; और मैं वर्णसंकर का कर्ता तथा इस प्रजा का हनन करने वाला होऊँगा।।
Explanation
3.24 उत्सीदेयुः would perish? इमे these? लोकाः worlds? न not? कुर्याम् would do? कर्म action? चेत् if? अहम् I? सङ्करस्य of confusion of castes? च and? कर्ता author? स्याम् would be? उपहन्याम् would destroy? इमाःthese? प्रजाः beings.Commentary If I did not engage in action? people would also be inactive. They would not do their duties according to the Varnasrama Dharma (code of morals governing their own order and stage of life). Hence confusion of castes would arise. I would have to destroy these beings.
Life Lesson
Study Bhagavad Gita 3.24 slowly, then express its central teaching through one thoughtful action in daily life.
Context
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 3, verse 24, from Krishna's dialogue with Arjuna at Kurukshetra.
Bhagavad Gita 3.24
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 3.24 mean?
3.24 These worlds would perish if I did not perform action; I should be the author of confusion of castes and destruction of these beings.
What is the life lesson of this verse?
Study Bhagavad Gita 3.24 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 24, from Krishna's dialogue with Arjuna at Kurukshetra.