Bhagavad Gita · Verse 3.18
Chapter 3: Karma Yoga (कर्मयोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
नैव तस्य कृतेनार्थो नाकृतेनेह कश्चन । न चास्य सर्वभूतेषु कश्चिदर्थव्यपाश्रयः ॥१८॥
naiva tasya kṛtenārtho nākṛteneha kaścana | na cāsya sarvabhūteṣu kaścidarthavyapāśrayaḥ ||18||
Complete Shloka Translation
Such a person has no gain to secure through action or through inaction here, and depends on no being for the fulfillment of that purpose.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| कृतेन | kṛtena | through what is done |
| अर्थव्यपाश्रयः | arthavyapāśrayaḥ | dependence for a purpose |
| नैव | naiva | [term] in context of Such a person has no gain to s... |
| तस्य | tasya | [term] in context of Such a person has no gain to s... |
| कृतेनार्थो | kṛtenārtho | [term] in context of Such a person has no gain to s... |
| नाकृतेनेह | nākṛteneha | [term] in context of Such a person has no gain to s... |
| कश्चन | kaścana | [term] in context of Such a person has no gain to s... |
| चास्य | na | [term] in context of Such a person has no gain to s... |
| सर्वभूतेषु | cāsya | [term] in context of Such a person has no gain to s... |
| कश्चिदर्थव्यपाश्रयः | sarvabhūteṣu | [term] in context of Such a person has no gain to s... |
| १८ | kaścidarthavyapāśrayaḥ | [term] in context of Such a person has no gain to s... |
through what is done
dependence for a purpose
[term] in context of Such a person has no gain to s...
[term] in context of Such a person has no gain to s...
[term] in context of Such a person has no gain to s...
[term] in context of Such a person has no gain to s...
[term] in context of Such a person has no gain to s...
[term] in context of Such a person has no gain to s...
[term] in context of Such a person has no gain to s...
[term] in context of Such a person has no gain to s...
[term] in context of Such a person has no gain to s...
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
This continues 3.17 rather than defining a universal absence of bodily needs. Independence in realization need not imply isolation or denial of ordinary mutual support.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"The realized person's freedom concerns dependence for inner fulfillment."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
How can inward independence coexist with receiving ordinary support?
Modern Life Implementation (Practical Real-Life Application)
Apply this verse in your daily career and work life: discharge your responsibilities wholeheartedly as an act of service and social welfare, freeing your mind from selfish anxiety and burnout.