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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
3.143.16

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 3.15

The cycle of sacrifice and duty

Karma · Action

कर्म ब्रह्मोद्भ‍वं विद्धि ब्रह्माक्षरसमुद्भ‍वम् ।

तस्मात्सर्वगतं ब्रह्म नित्यं यज्ञे प्रतिष्ठितम् ॥ १५ ॥

karma brahmodbhavaṁ viddhi

brahmākṣara-samudbhavam

tasmāt sarva-gataṁ brahma

nityaṁ yajñe pratiṣṭhitam

Translation

Regulated activities are prescribed in the Vedas, and the Vedas are directly manifested from the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Consequently the all-pervading Transcendence is eternally situated in acts of sacrifice.

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

Work to Please Kṛṣṇa

  1. 1

    The Vedas prescribe regulated work and come directly from the Supreme Lord, who is always present in acts of sacrifice.

  2. 2

    Prabhupāda explains that the Vedas guide us to work only for Kṛṣṇa’s satisfaction and avoid sinful work and its reactions.

  3. 3

    Follow Vedic guidance and become Kṛṣṇa conscious to return home, back to Godhead.

Key points from the purport

Following the acts of sacrifice as given in the Vedas is equivalent to following the will of Krishna. Therefore it is purifying and transcendental.

Regulated activities are prescribed in the Vedas and Vedas are directly manifested from Supreme Personality of Godhead

Consequently the All-pervading Transcendence is eternally situated in acts of sacrifice

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. karmawork
  2. brahmafrom the Vedas
  3. udbhavamproduced
  4. viddhiyou should know
  5. brahmathe Vedas
  6. akṣarafrom the Supreme Brahman (Personality of Godhead)
  7. samudbhavamdirectly manifested
  8. tasmāttherefore
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 3.15 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 3.10The cycle of sacrifice and dutyBG 3.11The cycle of sacrifice and dutyBG 2.47Responsibility without ownership of outcomes
Live this todayHuman Life Has a Higher PurposeA practice from BG 3.16, 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