Bhagavad Gita · Verse 3.22
Chapter 3: Karma Yoga (कर्मयोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
न मे पार्थास्ति कर्तव्यं त्रिषु लोकेषु किञ्चन । नानवाप्तमवाप्तव्यं वर्त एव च कर्मणि ॥२२॥
na me pārthāsti kartavyaṃ triṣu lokeṣu kiñcana | nānavāptamavāptavyaṃ varta eva ca karmaṇi ||22||
Complete Shloka Translation
Partha, there is nothing I must do in the three worlds, nothing unacquired that I must acquire. Yet I continue in action.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| कर्तव्यम् | kartavyam | what must be done |
| अवाप्तव्यम् | avāptavyam | what is to be acquired |
| मे | na | [term] in context of Partha, there is nothing I mus... |
| पार्थास्ति | me | [term] in context of Partha, there is nothing I mus... |
| कर्तव्यं | pārthāsti | [term] in context of Partha, there is nothing I mus... |
| त्रिषु | kartavyaṃ | [term] in context of Partha, there is nothing I mus... |
| लोकेषु | triṣu | [term] in context of Partha, there is nothing I mus... |
| किञ्चन | lokeṣu | [term] in context of Partha, there is nothing I mus... |
| नानवाप्तमवाप्तव्यं | kiñcana | [term] in context of Partha, there is nothing I mus... |
| वर्त | nānavāptamavāptavyaṃ | [term] in context of Partha, there is nothing I mus... |
| एव | varta | [term] in context of Partha, there is nothing I mus... |
| कर्मणि | eva | [term] in context of Partha, there is nothing I mus... |
| २२ | ca | [term] in context of Partha, there is nothing I mus... |
what must be done
what is to be acquired
[term] in context of Partha, there is nothing I mus...
[term] in context of Partha, there is nothing I mus...
[term] in context of Partha, there is nothing I mus...
[term] in context of Partha, there is nothing I mus...
[term] in context of Partha, there is nothing I mus...
[term] in context of Partha, there is nothing I mus...
[term] in context of Partha, there is nothing I mus...
[term] in context of Partha, there is nothing I mus...
[term] in context of Partha, there is nothing I mus...
[term] in context of Partha, there is nothing I mus...
[term] in context of Partha, there is nothing I mus...
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
Krishna now uses himself as the example. Freedom from personal acquisition is compatible with activity that sustains others; it does not require passive withdrawal.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Krishna presents action that does not arise from personal lack."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
What actions would still matter if they brought no personal gain?
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.