Bhagavad Gita · Verse 3.27
Chapter 3: Karma Yoga (कर्मयोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
प्रकृतेः क्रियमाणानि गुणैः कर्माणि सर्वशः । अहङ्कारविमूढात्मा कर्ताहमिति मन्यते ॥२७॥
prakṛteḥ kriyamāṇāni guṇaiḥ karmāṇi sarvaśaḥ | ahaṅkāravimūḍhātmā kartāhamiti manyate ||27||
Complete Shloka Translation
Actions are carried out in every way by the gunas of nature. One whose understanding is confused by ego thinks, “I am the doer.”
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| प्रकृतेः | prakṛteḥ | of material nature |
| क्रियमाणानि | kriyamāṇāni | being performed |
| गुणैः | guṇaiḥ | by the three modes (Gunas) |
| कर्माणि | karmāṇi | all actions |
| सर्वशः | sarvaśaḥ | in all respects |
| अहंकार-विमूढ-आत्मा | ahaṅkāra-vimūḍha-ātmā | one deluded by egotism |
| कर्ता अहम् इति | kartā aham iti | thinking "I am the doer" |
| मन्यते | manyate | believes / thinks |
of material nature
being performed
by the three modes (Gunas)
all actions
in all respects
one deluded by egotism
thinking "I am the doer"
believes / thinks
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
Prakriti and its gunas explain the embodied processes involved in action. Recognizing these conditions loosens possessive agency without eliminating practical accountability.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"The verse questions the ego's claim to be the sole source of action."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
What conditions and contributions are hidden by the claim that you alone accomplished a task?
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.