Chapter 3
Karma Yoga
Last updated: 14 June 2026
कर्म योग
Total Shlokas: 43~10 min readSanskrit + Multi-language Meanings
Script:
Shloka 1
अर्जुन उवाच। ज्यायसी चेत्कर्मणस्ते मता बुद्धिर्जनार्दन। तत्किं कर्मणि घोरे मां नियोजयसि केशव।।3.1।।
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Arjuna is confused: If Krishna considers knowledge superior to action, then why does He urge Arjuna to engage in this terrible action of warfare? This question leads to the teaching on Karma Yoga.
Shloka 2
व्यामिश्रेणेव वाक्येन बुद्धिं मोहयसीव मे। तदेकं वद निश्चित्य येन श्रेयोऽहमाप्नुयाम्।।3.2।।
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Arjuna feels Krishna's teaching seems contradictory — praising both knowledge and action. He requests one clear, definitive path by which he can attain the highest good.
Shloka 3
श्री भगवानुवाच। लोकेऽस्मिन्द्विविधा निष्ठा पुरा प्रोक्ता मयानघ। ज्ञानयोगेन साङ्ख्यानां कर्मयोगेन योगिनाम्।।3.3।।
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Krishna explains that from ancient times He has taught two paths: the path of knowledge (Jnana Yoga) for the contemplative, and the path of selfless action (Karma Yoga) for the active. Both lead to the same goal.
Shloka 4
न कर्मणामनारम्भान्नैष्कर्म्यं पुरुषोऽश्नुते। न च संन्यसनादेव सिद्धिं समधिगच्छति।।3.4।।
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One cannot attain freedom from karma merely by abstaining from action, nor can one reach perfection simply by renouncing all activities. Action performed without attachment is the key.
Shloka 5
न हि कश्चित्क्षणमपि जातु तिष्ठत्यकर्मकृत्। कार्यते ह्यवशः कर्म सर्वः प्रकृतिजैर्गुणैः।।3.5।।
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No one can remain even for a moment without performing action. Everyone is compelled to act by the qualities born of their own nature (the three gunas). Complete inaction is impossible.
Shloka 6
कर्मेन्द्रियाणि संयम्य य आस्ते मनसा स्मरन्। इन्द्रियार्थान्विमूढात्मा मिथ्याचारः स उच्यते।।3.6।।
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One who outwardly restrains the organs of action while mentally dwelling on sense objects is a self-deluding hypocrite. True renunciation is internal, not merely external.
Shloka 7
यस्त्विन्द्रियाणि मनसा नियम्यारभतेऽर्जुन। कर्मेन्द्रियैः कर्मयोगमसक्तः स विशिष्यते।।3.7।।
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Far superior is the person who controls the senses through the mind and, without attachment, engages the organs of action in the path of selfless work (Karma Yoga).
Shloka 8
नियतं कुरु कर्म त्वं कर्म ज्यायो ह्यकर्मणः। शरीरयात्रापि च ते न प्रसिद्ध्येदकर्मणः।।3.8।।
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Perform your enjoined duty, for action is superior to inaction. Even the maintenance of your physical body would not be possible without action.
Shloka 9
यज्ञार्थात्कर्मणोऽन्यत्र लोकोऽयं कर्मबन्धनः। तदर्थं कर्म कौन्तेय मुक्तसङ्गः समाचर।।3.9।।
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Work done as a sacrifice for the Supreme frees one from bondage. All other work binds the living entity to the material world. Therefore, perform your duties as an offering to God, free from selfish attachment.
Shloka 10
सहयज्ञाः प्रजाः सृष्ट्वा पुरोवाच प्रजापतिः। अनेन प्रसविष्यध्वमेष वोऽस्त्विष्टकामधुक्।।3.10।।
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In the beginning, the Creator brought forth humanity along with the spirit of sacrifice and said: By this sacrifice, you shall prosper, and it shall fulfill all your desires.
Shloka 11
देवान्भावयतानेन ते देवा भावयन्तु वः। परस्परं भावयन्तः श्रेयः परमवाप्स्यथ।।3.11।।
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By sacrifice, nourish the celestial beings, and they shall nourish you. Through this mutual cooperation, you shall attain the highest good.
Shloka 12
इष्टान्भोगान्हि वो देवा दास्यन्ते यज्ञभाविताः। तैर्दत्तानप्रदायैभ्यो यो भुङ्क्ते स्तेन एव सः।।3.12।।
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The celestial beings, nourished by sacrifice, will provide the necessities of life. But one who enjoys these gifts without offering anything in return is certainly a thief.
Shloka 13
यज्ञशिष्टाशिनः सन्तो मुच्यन्ते सर्वकिल्बिषैः। भुञ्जते ते त्वघं पापा ये पचन्त्यात्मकारणात्।।3.13।।
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The virtuous who eat the remnants of sacrifice are freed from all sins, but those who cook food only for their own enjoyment verily eat sin.
Shloka 14
अन्नाद्भवन्ति भूतानि पर्जन्यादन्नसम्भवः। यज्ञाद्भवति पर्जन्यो यज्ञः कर्मसमुद्भवः।।3.14।।
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All living beings subsist on food, food is produced by rain, rain comes from sacrifice, and sacrifice is born of enjoined action. This describes the cosmic cycle of sustenance.
Shloka 15
कर्म ब्रह्मोद्भवं विद्धि ब्रह्माक्षरसमुद्भवम्। तस्मात्सर्वगतं ब्रह्म नित्यं यज्ञे प्रतिष्ठितम्।।3.15।।
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Prescribed duties originate from the Vedas, and the Vedas are manifested from the Imperishable (Brahman). Therefore, the all-pervading Brahman is eternally established in sacrifice.
Shloka 16
एवं प्रवर्तितं चक्रं नानुवर्तयतीह यः। अघायुरिन्द्रियारामो मोघं पार्थ स जीवति।।3.16।।
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One who does not follow this cosmic wheel of sacrifice set in motion lives in vain, delighting only in the senses, and lives a sinful life.
Shloka 17
यस्त्वात्मरतिरेव स्यादात्मतृप्तश्च मानवः। आत्मन्येव च सन्तुष्टस्तस्य कार्यं न विद्यते।।3.17।।
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However, for one who rejoices only in the Self, who is satisfied with the Self, and who is content in the Self alone — for such a person there is no obligatory duty.
Shloka 18
नैव तस्य कृतेनार्थो नाकृतेनेह कश्चन। न चास्य सर्वभूतेषु कश्चिदर्थव्यपाश्रयः।।3.18।।
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For such a self-realized person, there is no purpose to be served by action or inaction. Nor does such a person depend on any other being for anything.
Shloka 19
तस्मादसक्तः सततं कार्यं कर्म समाचर। असक्तो ह्याचरन्कर्म परमाप्नोति पूरुषः।।3.19।।
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Therefore, always perform your duty without attachment, for by doing work without attachment, one attains the Supreme. Selfless action is itself a means to liberation.
Shloka 20
कर्मणैव हि संसिद्धिमास्थिता जनकादयः। लोकसंग्रहमेवापि सम्पश्यन्कर्तुमर्हसि।।3.20।।
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Even King Janaka and other wise rulers attained perfection through selfless action. You too should act for the welfare of the world, setting an example for others to follow.
Page 1 of 3 · Shlokas 1–20 / 43
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Bhagavad Gita Chapter 3 (Karma Yoga) about?
Chapter 3, Karma Yoga, deals with the path of selfless action (Karma Yoga) — acting for the welfare of all without attachment to results. It contains 43 verses and is part of the dialogue between Lord Krishna and Arjuna at Kurukshetra.
How many verses are in Chapter 3 of the Bhagavad Gita?
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 3 (Karma Yoga) has 43 shlokas (verses). On VedKosh each one is available with the original Sanskrit, transliteration, and meaning in Hindi and English.
What is the key teaching of Chapter 3?
The central teaching of Karma Yoga is the path of selfless action (Karma Yoga) — acting for the welfare of all without attachment to results. Read it as part of the unfolding wisdom Krishna gives Arjuna to resolve his moral crisis and act with clarity.