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Chapter 3 · Karma-yoga · 43 verses

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How to study this verse, in six steps

1Remember who is speaking. Kṛṣṇa is speaking. Take the verse as He directs.
2Say the verse and its words. Read the Sanskrit, then each word with its meaning.
3Read the translation as it is. Let the translation say what it says, without adding your own meaning.
4Read the purport. Hear the verse through the disciplic succession.
5Bring your own question. Ask: where does this verse meet my life, my trouble, my doubt?
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

3.4 3.6

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 3.5

Why disciplined, selfless action is necessary

Prakṛti · Material nature

न हि कश्चित्क्षणमपि जातु तिष्ठत्यकर्मकृत् ।

कार्यते ह्यवशः कर्म सर्वः प्रकृतिजैर्गुणैः ॥ ५ ॥

na hi kaścit kṣaṇam api

jātu tiṣṭhaty akarma-kṛt

kāryate hy avaśaḥ karma

sarvaḥ prakṛti-jair guṇaiḥ

Translation

Everyone is forced to act helplessly according to the qualities he has acquired from the modes of material nature; therefore no one can refrain from doing something, not even for a moment.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io

Understand it

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

3 study points

The Soul Is Always Active

1
Everyone is forced to act by the qualities acquired from material nature; no one can stop acting, even for a moment.
2
Prabhupāda explains that the soul is always active and makes the body move. The goal of purification is Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
3
Engage your activity in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Even imperfect devotional service brings no loss.

Key points from the purport

Sankhya-yoga is impractical because soul is always active

Everyone is forced to act helplessly according to the qualities acquired from the modes of material nature

Therefore no-one can refrain from doing something, not even for a moment

Premature sannyasa is harmful

Premature renunciation is harmful because soul is always active

Either it has to be engaged in service of Krishna or

Under illusory energy where it may acquire three modes

Thus this verse sets criteria on when one should take sannyasa

Depending on the kind of modes one is affected by, sastras present different prescribed duties

to purify us from affinity of modes

to bring us to the level of jnana, with the knowledge of difference between body and soul

Thus when sufficiently purified, one can take sannyasa

“Ultimate goal of Sannyasa, or any purificatory processes is to reach to the point of becoming Krishna conscious" (Ref. SB 1.5.17)

Krishna consciousness turns yoga-ladder into an elevator — Therefore contact with Krishna (through contact with devotee) at any step of yoga ladder will speed up the process of purification