Chapter 3 · Karma Yoga - The Yoga of Selfless ActionKrishna
Verse 9
श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता अध्याय 3, श्लोक 9
Sanskrit Shloka (श्लोक)
यज्ञार्थात्कर्मणोऽन्यत्र लोकोऽयं कर्मबन्धनः।
तदर्थं कर्म कौन्तेय मुक्तसङ्गः समाचर॥९॥
Transliteration
Yajna-Arthat Karmano'nyatra Loko'yam Karma-Bandhanah.
Tad-Artham Karma Kaunteya Mukta-Sangah Samachara.||9||
Word-by-Word Meaning (अन्वय)
यज्ञार्थात्yajna-arthatfor the sake of sacrifice
कर्मणःkarmanahthan action
अन्यत्रanyatraotherwise
लोकःlokahthe world
अयम्ayamthis
कर्मबन्धनःkarma-bandhanahbondage of action
तदर्थम्tad-arthamfor that purpose
कर्मkarmaaction
कौन्तेयkaunteyaO son of Kunti
मुक्तसङ्गःmukta-sangahfree from attachment
समाचरsamacharaperform
Hindi Translation (हिन्दी अर्थ)
यज्ञ (ईश्वरार्पण) के लिए किए गए कर्म के अतिरिक्त, अन्य कर्म से यह संसार कर्मबन्धन में बंधता है। अतः हे कौन्तेय! आसक्ति त्यागकर उस यज्ञ के लिए कर्म कर।
English Translation
Work done as a sacrifice for the Supreme does not bind. Other than such selfless action, O son of Kunti, all work causes bondage. Therefore, perform your duty free from attachment, as an offering to the Divine.
Commentary (टीका)
This verse introduces the concept of Yajna — action performed as a sacred offering. When work is done selflessly for the sake of the Divine or the greater good, it liberates rather than binds. The moment personal desire and attachment enter, the same action becomes a cause of bondage. This is the alchemy of Karma Yoga.