Chapter 3 · Karma Yoga - The Yoga of Selfless ActionKrishna
Verse 20
श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता अध्याय 3, श्लोक 20
Sanskrit Shloka (श्लोक)
कर्मणैव हि संसिद्धिमास्थिता जनकादयः।
लोकसङ्ग्रहमेवापि सम्पश्यन्कर्तुमर्हसि॥२०॥
Transliteration
Karmanai-Va Hi Samsiddhim-Asthita Janaka-Adayah.
Loka-Sangraham-Eva-Api Sampashyan Kartum-Arhasi.||20||
Word-by-Word Meaning (अन्वय)
कर्मणाkarmanaby action
एवevaalone
हिhiindeed
संसिद्धिम्samsiddhimperfection
आस्थिताःasthitahattained
जनकादयःjanaka-adayahJanaka and others
लोकसङ्ग्रहम्loka-sangrahamwelfare of the world
एवevaalso
अपिapieven
सम्पश्यन्sampashyanconsidering
कर्तुम्kartumto do
अर्हसिarhasiyou should
Hindi Translation (हिन्दी अर्थ)
राजा जनक आदि महापुरुषों ने कर्म से ही सिद्धि (पूर्णता) प्राप्त की। अतः लोकसंग्रह (लोक-कल्याण) को दृष्टि में रखते हुए भी तुझे कर्म करना चाहिए।
English Translation
King Janaka and others attained perfection through action alone. Even considering the welfare of the world (Loka-sangraha), you should perform action.
Commentary (टीका)
Krishna cites the historical example of King Janaka, who achieved Self-realization while actively ruling his kingdom. This proves that worldly engagement and spiritual perfection are not mutually exclusive. The concept of 'loka-sangraha' — acting for the welfare and cohesion of society — adds a social dimension to spiritual duty.