Bhagavad Gita · Verse 3.23
Chapter 3: Karma Yoga (कर्मयोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
यदि ह्यहं न वर्तेयं जातु कर्मण्यतन्द्रितः । मम वर्त्मानुवर्तन्ते मनुष्याः पार्थ सर्वशः ॥२३॥
yadi hyahaṃ na varteyaṃ jātu karmaṇyatandritaḥ | mama vartmānuvartante manuṣyāḥ pārtha sarvaśaḥ ||23||
Complete Shloka Translation
For if I did not remain diligently engaged in action, Partha, people would follow my course in every way.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| अतन्द्रितः | atandritaḥ | diligent or tireless |
| वर्त्म | vartma | course or path |
| यदि | yadi | [term] in context of For if I did not remain dilige... |
| ह्यहं | hyahaṃ | [term] in context of For if I did not remain dilige... |
| वर्तेयं | na | [term] in context of For if I did not remain dilige... |
| जातु | varteyaṃ | [term] in context of For if I did not remain dilige... |
| कर्मण्यतन्द्रितः | jātu | [term] in context of For if I did not remain dilige... |
| मम | karmaṇyatandritaḥ | [term] in context of For if I did not remain dilige... |
| वर्त्मानुवर्तन्ते | mama | [term] in context of For if I did not remain dilige... |
| मनुष्याः | vartmānuvartante | [term] in context of For if I did not remain dilige... |
| पार्थ | manuṣyāḥ | [term] in context of For if I did not remain dilige... |
| सर्वशः | pārtha | [term] in context of For if I did not remain dilige... |
| २३ | sarvaśaḥ | [term] in context of For if I did not remain dilige... |
diligent or tireless
course or path
[term] in context of For if I did not remain dilige...
[term] in context of For if I did not remain dilige...
[term] in context of For if I did not remain dilige...
[term] in context of For if I did not remain dilige...
[term] in context of For if I did not remain dilige...
[term] in context of For if I did not remain dilige...
[term] in context of For if I did not remain dilige...
[term] in context of For if I did not remain dilige...
[term] in context of For if I did not remain dilige...
[term] in context of For if I did not remain dilige...
[term] in context of For if I did not remain dilige...
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
The conditional argument continues Krishna's example from 3.22. Diligence matters because an influential person's omissions can teach a pattern just as actions do.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Even one free from personal need acts with awareness of others' imitation."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
What might others learn from your omissions as well as your actions?
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.