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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 ›
Bhakti & surrenderChapter 3 · Karma-yoga
3.303.32

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 3.31

Dedicate action to Krishna

Īśvara · God

ये मे मतमिदं नित्यमनुतिष्ठन्ति मानवाः ।

श्रद्धावन्तोऽनसूयन्तो मुच्यन्ते तेऽपि कर्मभिः ॥ ३१ ॥

ye me matam idaṁ nityam

anutiṣṭhanti mānavāḥ

śraddhāvanto ’nasūyanto

mucyante te ’pi karmabhiḥ

Translation

Those persons who execute their duties according to My injunctions and who follow this teaching faithfully, without envy, become free from the bondage of fruitive actions.

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

Faithfully Follow Kṛṣṇa’s Teachings

  1. 1

    Those who do their duties according to Kṛṣṇa’s teachings, faithfully and without envy, become free from the bondage of actions done for results.

  2. 2

    Prabhupāda explains that Kṛṣṇa’s instructions are eternally true. Even someone unable to follow them fully becomes free from karma through firm faith.

  3. 3

    Keep trying sincerely to follow Kṛṣṇa’s instructions without resentment or hopelessness. This leads to pure Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

Key points from the purport

Result of acting according to Lord’s injunctions (Bg. 3.30)

How to follow:

With faith

Without envy

Result – Freedom from all bondage

Further reading

Niskama-Karma To Set Correct Example

Dutifully acting without attachment sets the correct example for others, who are less advanced

Chapter 3, section IV: Niskama-Karma To Set Correct Example
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yethose who
  2. meMy
  3. mataminjunctions
  4. idamthese
  5. nityamas an eternal function
  6. anutiṣṭhantiexecute regularly
  7. mānavāḥhuman beings
  8. śraddhā-vantaḥwith faith and devotion
3

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: bhakti, śaraṇāgati.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 3.31 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to bhakti & surrender?

Practice

Offer one act today with devotion.

5

Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 3.30Offer every action to KrishnaBG 3.32Dedicate action to KrishnaBG 6.47The highest yogi is devotedBG 8.7Remember Krishna and fight
Live this todayOffer Your Duties to KṛṣṇaA practice from BG 3.30, 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