Chapter 3 · Karma Yoga - The Yoga of Selfless ActionKrishna
Verse 22
श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता अध्याय 3, श्लोक 22
Sanskrit Shloka (श्लोक)
न मे पार्थास्ति कर्तव्यं त्रिषु लोकेषु किञ्चन।
नानवाप्तमवाप्तव्यं वर्त एव च कर्मणि॥२२॥
Transliteration
Na Me Partha-Asti Kartavyam Trishu Lokeshu Kinchana.
Na-Anavaptam-Avaptavyam Varta Eva Cha Karmani.||22||
Word-by-Word Meaning (अन्वय)
नnanot
मेmefor Me
पार्थparthaO son of Pritha
अस्तिastithere is
कर्तव्यम्kartavyamduty to be done
त्रिषुtrishuin the three
लोकेषुlokeshuworlds
किञ्चनkinchanaanything
नnanot
अनवाप्तम्anavaptamunattained
अवाप्तव्यम्avaptavyamto be attained
वर्तेvarteI engage
एवevastill
कर्मणिkarmaniin action
Hindi Translation (हिन्दी अर्थ)
हे पार्थ! मेरे लिए तीनों लोकों में न कोई कर्तव्य है, न कुछ अप्राप्त है जो प्राप्त करना हो — फिर भी मैं कर्म में लगा रहता हूँ।
English Translation
O Partha, there is nothing in all three worlds that I need to do, nor is there anything unattained that I need to attain — yet I continue to engage in action.
Commentary (टीका)
Krishna reveals His own example as the ultimate model for Karma Yoga. As the Supreme Lord, He has nothing to gain from any action in all of existence. Yet He acts ceaselessly for the welfare of the world. This is the highest form of selfless action — acting purely for the benefit of others when one has absolutely nothing to gain.