Bhagavad Gita · Verse 3.3
Chapter 3: Karma Yoga (कर्मयोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
लोकेऽस्मिन्द्विविधा निष्ठा पुरा प्रोक्ता मयानघ । ज्ञानयोगेन सांख्यानां कर्मयोगेन योगिनाम् ॥३॥
loke'smindvividhā niṣṭhā purā proktā mayānagha | jñānayogena sāṃkhyānāṃ karmayogena yoginām ||3||
Complete Shloka Translation
The Lord said: Blameless one, I previously taught two commitments in this world: the yoga of knowledge for those devoted to discernment, and the yoga of action for practitioners of yoga.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| निष्ठा | niṣṭhā | sustained commitment |
| कर्मयोगेन | karmayogena | through the yoga of action |
| लोकेऽस्मिन्द्विविधा | loke'smindvividhā | [term] in context of The Lord said: Blameless one, ... |
| पुरा | purā | [term] in context of The Lord said: Blameless one, ... |
| प्रोक्ता | proktā | [term] in context of The Lord said: Blameless one, ... |
| मयानघ | mayānagha | [term] in context of The Lord said: Blameless one, ... |
| ज्ञानयोगेन | jñānayogena | [term] in context of The Lord said: Blameless one, ... |
| सांख्यानां | sāṃkhyānāṃ | [term] in context of The Lord said: Blameless one, ... |
| योगिनाम् | yoginām | [term] in context of The Lord said: Blameless one, ... |
sustained commitment
through the yoga of action
[term] in context of The Lord said: Blameless one, ...
[term] in context of The Lord said: Blameless one, ...
[term] in context of The Lord said: Blameless one, ...
[term] in context of The Lord said: Blameless one, ...
[term] in context of The Lord said: Blameless one, ...
[term] in context of The Lord said: Blameless one, ...
[term] in context of The Lord said: Blameless one, ...
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
Nishtha is a sustained commitment, not merely a preference. Sankhya is explained here through discernment; the relation of knowledge and action receives different readings across traditions.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Krishna distinguishes approaches while continuing to explain their relationship."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
How might discernment and committed practice support each other?
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.