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Chapter 3 · Karma-yoga · 43 verses

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How to study this verse, in six steps
  1. 1Remember who is speaking. Kṛṣṇa is speaking. Take the verse as He directs.
  2. 2Say the verse and its words. Read the Sanskrit, then each word with its meaning.
  3. 3Read the translation as it is. Let the translation say what it says, without adding your own meaning.
  4. 4Read the purport. Hear the verse through the disciplic succession.
  5. 5Bring your own question. Ask: where does this verse meet my life, my trouble, my doubt?
  6. 6Act on it, remembering Kṛṣṇa. Carry one instruction into your work today.
Read the full guide: how to read the Bhagavad-gītā ›
Duty & actionChapter 3 · Karma-yoga
3.93.11

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 3.10

The cycle of sacrifice and duty

Karma · Action

सहयज्ञाः प्रजाः सृष्ट्वा पुरोवाच प्रजापतिः ।

अनेन प्रसविष्यध्वमेष वोऽस्त्विष्टकामधुक् ॥ १० ॥

saha-yajñāḥ prajāḥ sṛṣṭvā

purovāca prajāpatiḥ

anena prasaviṣyadhvam

eṣa vo ’stv iṣṭa-kāma-dhuk

Translation

In the beginning of creation, the Lord of all creatures sent forth generations of men and demigods, along with sacrifices for Viṣṇu, and blessed them by saying, “Be thou happy by this yajña [sacrifice] because its performance will bestow upon you everything desirable for living happily and achieving liberation.”

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

What this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.

3 study points

Sacrifice for Viṣṇu

  1. 1

    At creation, the Lord gave humans and demigods sacrifices for Viṣṇu, promising happiness and liberation through them.

  2. 2

    Prabhupāda explains that sacrifice helps souls become Kṛṣṇa conscious and return home to Godhead.

  3. 3

    Chant the names of God—the sacrifice recommended for this Age of Kali.

Key points from the purport

Krishna explains Vedic karma-kanda system — Live happily in this world and gradually achieve liberation

Principle behind the concept of karma-kanda – By satisfying desires in a religious way, those who are attached will be purified

a

Purpose of material creation

A chance offered to conditioned souls to come Back to Godhead

To “Learn how to perform yajnas” for satisfaction of Supreme

b

Benefit of yajnas:

To get happiness in material world and

To purify the heart of the living entity

Later enter into kingdom of God and thus get ultimate liberation

c

Cause of conditioning in material world — Forgetfulness of our relationship with Krishna

d

Purpose of Vedic Principles — To help us in understanding this eternal relationship

e

Understanding of the Lord as “Pati” (Only master for all the living entities)

Ref. Vedic hymns – “Patim visvasyatmesvaram…”

Ref. SB 2.4.20 – Vishnu is the only ‘pati’ or ‘Lord of all living entities’

f

Best yajna to satisfy Vishnu in the Age of kali — “Sankirtan-yajna” – which is easy and sublime

Introduced by Lord Caitanya (Ref. SB 11.5.32: “krsna-varnam…”)

Ref Bg. 9.14: “satatam kirtayanto…” – Mahatmas constantly glorify the Lord

Connected verses · 1

Texts 3.10 & 3.11

Two results of sacrifices are: 1. Fulfilling all material desires (3.11 – 3.14) 2. Purify the heart to elevate one out of the material world (3.15 – 3.16)

Further reading

From Karma Kanda To Karma-Yoga

If one cannot perform detached, dutiful work; it is better to follow Karma-kanda section of Vedas

But do it for Krishna’s pleasure (All the Vedic duties which prescribe sacrifices, etc.)

Chapter 3, section III: From Karma Kanda To Karma-Yoga
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. sahaalong with
  2. yajñāḥsacrifices
  3. prajāḥgenerations
  4. sṛṣṭvācreating
  5. purāanciently
  6. uvācasaid
  7. prajā-patiḥthe Lord of creatures
  8. anenaby this
3

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: karma, sva-dharma.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 3.10 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to duty & action?

Practice

Do one task today purely because it is right.

5

The story behind it

Mahābhārata episodes and stories from the purports that shed light on this verse.

All stories for chapter 3 ›
6

Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 3.11The cycle of sacrifice and dutyBG 3.12The cycle of sacrifice and dutyBG 2.47Responsibility without ownership of outcomes
Live this todayWork for Kṛṣṇa’s SatisfactionA practice from BG 3.9, close to this verse

Study notes are editorial summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport.

  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 4 of 9 · 10 minChapters & storiesGo chapter by chapter, with the Mahābhārata stories that explain what is happening.Back · LearnPrabhupāda's Introduction