Chapter 3 · Karma Yoga - The Yoga of Selfless ActionKrishna
Verse 23
श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता अध्याय 3, श्लोक 23
Sanskrit Shloka (श्लोक)
यदि ह्यहं न वर्तेयं जातु कर्मण्यतन्द्रितः।
मम वर्त्मानुवर्तन्ते मनुष्याः पार्थ सर्वशः॥२३॥
Transliteration
Yadi Hy-Aham Na Varteyam Jatu Karmany-Atandritah.
Mama Vartma-Anuvartante Manushyah Partha Sarvashah.||23||
Word-by-Word Meaning (अन्वय)
यदिyadiif
हिhiindeed
अहम्ahamI
नnanot
वर्तेयम्varteyamwould engage
जातुjatuever
कर्मणिkarmaniin action
अतन्द्रितःatandritahcarefully/diligently
ममmamaMy
वर्त्मvartmapath
अनुवर्तन्तेanuvartantefollow
मनुष्याःmanushyahhumans
पार्थparthaO Partha
सर्वशःsarvashahin all respects
Hindi Translation (हिन्दी अर्थ)
हे पार्थ! यदि मैं सावधानी से कर्म न करूँ, तो सभी मनुष्य सब प्रकार से मेरे ही मार्ग का अनुसरण करेंगे (और कर्म छोड़ देंगे)।
English Translation
For if I were not to engage in action carefully, O Partha, all human beings would follow My path in every way.
Commentary (टीका)
Krishna explains why even He, the omnipotent Lord, continues to act — because humans follow the example of those they revere. If God Himself were to stop acting, it would provide a justification for universal inaction. This verse powerfully reinforces the responsibility of leadership and the principle that one must practice what one preaches.