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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
3.83.10

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 3.9

Work as sacrifice

Karma · Action

यज्ञार्थात्कर्मणोऽन्यत्र लोकोऽयं कर्मबन्धनः ।

तदर्थं कर्म कौन्तेय मुक्तसङ्गः समाचर ॥ ९ ॥

yajñārthāt karmaṇo ’nyatra

loko ’yaṁ karma-bandhanaḥ

tad-arthaṁ karma kaunteya

mukta-saṅgaḥ samācara

Translation

Work done as a sacrifice for Viṣṇu has to be performed; otherwise work causes bondage in this material world. Therefore, O son of Kuntī, perform your prescribed duties for His satisfaction, and in that way you will always remain free from bondage.

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 for Viṣṇu’s Satisfaction

  1. 1

    Perform your prescribed duties to satisfy Viṣṇu; otherwise, work binds you to the material world.

  2. 2

    Prabhupāda explains that both good and evil work have binding reactions, but work in Kṛṣṇa consciousness brings freedom.

  3. 3

    Work to please Kṛṣṇa, not to satisfy your senses, under the expert guidance of His devotee.

Key points from the purport

Work done as a sacrifice (yajna) for satisfaction of Vishnu is a means of liberation from all bondages

a

Meaning of ‘yajna’ — It refers to Lord Vishnu or Sacrificial performance

Some references given are as follows:

Vedas: “yajna vai visnu” – “Purpose of sacrifice” is pleasure of Vishnu

Vishnu–purana – Goal of varnahsrama – Satisfaction of Vishnu

b

Krishna Consciousness is process of ‘Yajna’ as per this verse because

The same purpose is served whether one performs ‘prescribed yajnas’ or ‘directly serves Lord Vishnu’

Also, varnashrama institution also aims at satisfying Lord Vishnu or Lord Krishna

c

“Work in Krishna Consciousness” –An art of doing work which requires expert Guidance

d

PRACTICAL APPLICATION — How to perform ‘work in Krishna consciousness’

Act diligently and under expert guidance of a devotee

Not at all for sense gratification but all for Krishna’s satisfaction

e

Benefit of such action in Krishna consciousness

Freedom from reaction

While performing one is in liberated state

Gradual elevation to love of God

Entrance into the kingdom of God

f

Conclusion of Section II — Text 3.9 elevates the ‘Niskama-karma’ of Texts 3.3 to 3.8 to the level of bhakti by including knowledge of Vishnu

Summarised theme 3a yoga ladder

a

KARMA-KANDA

Encourages regulated sense gratification

Meant to bring general mass of people to the platform of religiosity

Purifies the practitioner in many ways:

Regulation brings detachment which fosters knowledge

Gradually Vedas expose him to Jnana and Upasana sections

Results of Yajna gives him faith in Sastras

Motivates him to associate with Brahmanas who give higher knowledge

Gradually the practitioner finds the ‘futility of material life’ and makes ‘transcendence as his goal’

b

SAKAMA-KARMA-YOGA — Understands transcendence as the goal

Frustration in material life / Desires purification

Attempts to renounce fruits of labor

But attachment to material desires (fruits) still linger on

c

NISKAMA-KARMA-YOGA — Gives up the attachment to the fruits of work, but still attached to the work itself

d

JNANA-YOGA

Platform of philosophical enquiry

Detached from both, ‘action’ and the ‘fruit of action’

e

ASTANGA-YOGA

Achieved when jnana-yoga elevates to the point of meditation

f

BHAKTI-YOGA

Can permeate any of the stages mentioned above other than Karma Kanda , but generally does not fully manifest before the deep realisation evolved at the Jnana stage (Ref. Bg. 7.19 “Bahunam janmanam….”) THE EXTENDED YOGA LADDER PROGRESSIVE YOGA LADDER EXPRESS ELEVATOR vs YOGA LADDERS

9 & 3.16 in the Chapter 3 Appendix.

Connected verses · 1

Texts 3.8 & 3.9

Arjuna wanted to avoid work out of fear that he will develop material attachments and desires and especially he fears the reaction that follows this work. Lord speaks Text 3.9 to differentiate ordinary entangling work from ‘Karma-yoga’, which carries one to liberation.

How it feels

Meaningful responsibility

Further reading

Niskama-Karma Yoga

Work combined with knowledge and detachment

Offer the fruit of the work for the satisfaction of Krishna

Niskama-karma-yoga allows the soul (active by nature) to be purified through detached activities

Chapter 3, section II: Niskama-Karma Yoga
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yajña-arthātdone only for the sake of Yajña, or Viṣṇu
  2. karmaṇaḥthan work
  3. anyatraotherwise
  4. lokaḥworld
  5. ayamthis
  6. karma-bandhanaḥbondage by work
  7. tatof Him
  8. arthamfor the sake
3

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

  • Action & reaction

    Work for sacrifice does not produce ordinary bondage.

  • Sacrifice / offering

    Work performed for sacrifice is distinguished from binding action.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

For whose satisfaction am I truly working?

Practice

Consciously offer one work session for Krishna’s satisfaction.

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 4.17Transcendental understanding of actionBG 4.18Transcendental understanding of actionBG 3.13The cycle of sacrifice and dutyBG 4.24Transcendental understanding of action
Live this todayWork for Kṛṣṇa’s SatisfactionOne 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
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