Chapter 3 · Karma Yoga - The Yoga of Selfless ActionKrishna
Verse 5
श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता अध्याय 3, श्लोक 5
Sanskrit Shloka (श्लोक)
न हि कश्चित्क्षणमपि जातु तिष्ठत्यकर्मकृत्।
कार्यते ह्यवशः कर्म सर्वः प्रकृतिजैर्गुणैः॥५॥
Transliteration
Na Hi Kashchit-Kshanam-Api Jatu Tishthaty-Akarmakrit.
Karyate Hy-Avashah Karma Sarvah Prakriti-Jair-Gunaih.||5||
Word-by-Word Meaning (अन्वय)
नnanot
हिhiindeed
कश्चित्kashchitanyone
क्षणम्kshanama moment
अपिapieven
जातुjatuever
तिष्ठतिtishthatiremains
अकर्मकृत्akarmakritwithout doing action
कार्यतेkaryateis made to act
अवशःavashahhelplessly
सर्वःsarvaheveryone
प्रकृतिजैःprakritijahborn of Prakriti (nature)
गुणैःgunaihby the gunas (qualities)
Hindi Translation (हिन्दी अर्थ)
कोई भी मनुष्य किसी भी क्षण कर्म किए बिना नहीं रह सकता। सभी प्राणी प्रकृति से उत्पन्न गुणों (सत्व, रजस्, तमस्) द्वारा विवश होकर कर्म करते हैं।
English Translation
No one can remain without performing action even for a moment. Everyone is helplessly driven to act by the gunas (qualities) born of Prakriti (material nature).
Commentary (टीका)
This is a profound observation about the nature of existence. Even breathing, thinking, and digesting are actions. The three gunas — Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas — constantly propel all beings into activity. Since action is unavoidable, the wise choice is not to avoid it but to perform it with the right attitude.