Chapter 3, Verse 8
Part of 3: Karm Yog — कर्मयोगनियतं कुरु कर्म त्वं कर्म ज्यायो ह्यकर्मणः। शरीरयात्रापि च ते न प्रसिद्ध्येदकर्मणः॥
Transliteration
niyataṁ kuru karma tvaṁ karma jyāyo hyakarmaṇaḥ śharīra-yātrāpi cha te na prasiddhyed akarmaṇaḥ
Meaning
Perform your bounden duty, for action is superior to inaction, and even the maintenance of the body would not be possible for you through inaction.
Word-by-word meaning
niyatam — constantlykuru — performkarma — Vedic dutiestvam — youkarma — actionjyāyaḥ — superiorhi — certainlyakarmaṇaḥ — than inactionśharīra — bodilyyātrā — maintenanceapi — evencha — andte — yourna prasiddhyet — would not be possibleakarmaṇaḥ — inaction
Commentary
Niyatam Karma is an obligatory duty which one is bound to perform. Thenonperformance of the bounden duties causes demerit. The performance of the obligatory duties is not a means for the attainment of a specific result. The performance does not cause any merit. Living itself involves several natural and unavoidable actions which have to be performed by all. It is ignorance to say? I can live doing nothing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 3, Verse 8?▼
Perform your bounden duty, for action is superior to inaction, and even the maintenance of the body would not be possible for you through inaction.
Which chapter and verse of the Bhagavad Gita is this?▼
This is verse 8 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.