Chapter 3 · Karma Yoga - The Yoga of Selfless ActionKrishna
Verse 24
श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता अध्याय 3, श्लोक 24
Sanskrit Shloka (श्लोक)
उत्सीदेयुरिमे लोका न कुर्यां कर्म चेदहम्।
सङ्करस्य च कर्ता स्यामुपहन्यामिमाः प्रजाः॥२४॥
Transliteration
Utsideyur-Ime Loka Na Kuryam Karma Ched-Aham.
Sankarasya Cha Karta Syam-Upahanyam-Imah Prajah.||24||
Word-by-Word Meaning (अन्वय)
उत्सीदेयुःutsideyuhwould be ruined
इमेimethese
लोकाःlokahworlds/people
नnanot
कुर्याम्kuryamI would do
कर्मkarmaaction
चेत्chetif
अहम्ahamI
सङ्करस्यsankarasyaof confusion/disorder
कर्ताkartacreator
स्याम्syamI would be
उपहन्याम्upahanyamwould destroy
इमाःimahthese
प्रजाःprajahbeings/people
Hindi Translation (हिन्दी अर्थ)
यदि मैं कर्म न करूँ तो ये सब लोक नष्ट हो जाएँ; मैं वर्णसंकर (अव्यवस्था) का कारण बनूँ और इन समस्त प्रजाओं को नष्ट कर दूँ।
English Translation
If I were to stop performing action, these worlds would perish. I would be the cause of confusion and disorder, and I would destroy all these beings.
Commentary (टीका)
Krishna highlights the cosmic consequences of divine inaction. The entire universe is sustained by the Lord's continuous activity — the sun rises, seasons change, and nature functions because of His will. If He stopped, creation itself would collapse. This underscores the profound interconnection between divine action and the sustenance of all life.