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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
3.153.17

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 3.16

The cycle of sacrifice and duty

Karma · Action

एवं प्रवर्तितं चक्रं नानुवर्तयतीह यः ।

अघायुरिन्द्रियारामो मोघं पार्थ स जीवति ॥ १६ ॥

evaṁ pravartitaṁ cakraṁ

nānuvartayatīha yaḥ

aghāyur indriyārāmo

moghaṁ pārtha sa jīvati

Translation

My dear Arjuna, one who does not follow in human life the cycle of sacrifice thus established by the Vedas certainly leads a life full of sin. Living only for the satisfaction of the senses, such a person lives in vain.

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 and Life’s Purpose

  1. 1

    Those who ignore the Vedic cycle of sacrifice and live only for sense pleasure lead sinful, wasted lives.

  2. 2

    Prabhupāda explains that human life is meant for self-realization. Sacrifice purifies those seeking sense pleasure and leads toward Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

  3. 3

    Do not stop at merely following moral rules; aim to become Kṛṣṇa conscious.

Key points from the purport

Emphasizes “Sacrifice is a must”

Without following these Vedic prescriptions, selfish activities simply take one into darkness

Thus one leads a life of sin

Living only for satisfaction of the senses such a person lives in vain

a

Condemns the ‘Mammonist Philosophy’ of “Work very hard and enjoy sense gratification”

b

The cycle of performing yajna is an absolute necessity

Yajna is important for happiness in this world

Also, it helps one in spiritual elevation which is the purpose of human life.

Yajna process gradually purifies to bring one to the platform of Krishna consciousness – Therefore indirectly it is the practice of Krishna consciousness

If by performing yajnas, one does not become Krishna conscious, such principles are counted as moral codes

One should not therefore limit his progress only to the point of moral codes, but should transcend them, to attain Krishna consciousness

c

Nature’s law for human life — Human life is specifically meant for self-realisation in either of the three ways: karma-yoga, jnana-yoga or bhakti-yoga

Exception – No necessity to rigidly follow the prescribed yajnas for those transcendentalist who are above vice and virtue

But those engaged in sense gratification require purification by performance of yajna

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. evamthus
  2. pravartitamestablished by the Vedas
  3. cakramcycle
  4. nadoes not
  5. anuvartayatiadopt
  6. ihain this life
  7. yaḥone who
  8. agha-āyuḥwhose life is full of sins
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 3.16 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 PurposeOne practice from 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