Chapter 3 · Karma Yoga - The Yoga of Selfless ActionKrishna
Verse 8
श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता अध्याय 3, श्लोक 8
Sanskrit Shloka (श्लोक)
नियतं कुरु कर्म त्वं कर्म ज्यायो ह्यकर्मणः।
शरीरयात्रापि च ते न प्रसिद्ध्येदकर्मणः॥८॥
Transliteration
Niyatam Kuru Karma Tvam Karma Jyayo Hy-Akarmanah.
Sharira-Yatra-Api Cha Te Na Prasiddhyed-Akarmanah.||8||
Word-by-Word Meaning (अन्वय)
नियतम्niyatamprescribed/obligatory
कुरुkuruperform
कर्मkarmaaction/duty
त्वम्tvamyou
कर्मkarmaaction
ज्यायःjyayahbetter
हिhiindeed
अकर्मणःakarmanahthan inaction
शरीरयात्राsharira-yatrabodily maintenance
अपिapieven
न प्रसिद्ध्येत्na prasiddhyetwould not be possible
Hindi Translation (हिन्दी अर्थ)
तू अपना नियत (शास्त्र-विहित) कर्म कर, क्योंकि कर्म न करने की अपेक्षा कर्म करना श्रेष्ठ है। कर्म के बिना तेरी शरीर-यात्रा (जीवन-निर्वाह) भी नहीं चल सकती।
English Translation
Perform your prescribed duty, for action is better than inaction. Even the maintenance of your physical body would not be possible through inaction.
Commentary (टीका)
This is one of the most practical and memorable teachings of the Gita. Krishna gives a clear directive — do your duty. The word 'niyatam' means prescribed or obligatory duty, not random activity. Even basic survival requires action. This verse demolishes the excuse of those who use spirituality to justify laziness or escapism.