Chapter 3, Verse 24
Part of 3: Karm Yog — कर्मयोगउत्सीदेयुरिमे लोका न कुर्यां कर्म चेदहम्। सङ्करस्य च कर्ता स्यामुपहन्यामिमाः प्रजाः॥
Transliteration
utsīdeyur ime lokā na kuryāṁ karma ched aham sankarasya cha kartā syām upahanyām imāḥ prajāḥ
Meaning
These worlds would perish if I did not perform action; I would be the author of confusion of castes and destruction of these beings.
Word-by-word meaning
utsīdeyuḥ — would perishime — all theselokāḥ — worldsna — notkuryām — I performkarma — prescribed dutieschet — ifaham — Isankarasya — of uncultured populationcha — andkartā — responsiblesyām — would beupahanyām — would destroyimāḥ — all theseprajāḥ — living entities
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 3, Verse 24?▼
These worlds would perish if I did not perform action; I would be the author of confusion of castes and destruction of these beings.
Which chapter and verse of the Bhagavad Gita is this?▼
This is verse 24 of Chapter 3 (Karm Yog — Path of Selfless Service) of the Bhagavad Gita, a scripture of 18 chapters and 700 verses spoken by Lord Krishna to Arjuna.