Bhagavad Gita · Verse 3.5
Chapter 3: Karma Yoga (कर्मयोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
न हि कश्चित्क्षणमपि जातु तिष्ठत्यकर्मकृत् । कार्यते ह्यवशः कर्म सर्वः प्रकृतिजैर्गुणैः ॥५॥
na hi kaścitkṣaṇamapi jātu tiṣṭhatyakarmakṛt | kāryate hyavaśaḥ karma sarvaḥ prakṛtijairguṇaiḥ ||5||
Complete Shloka Translation
No one can remain even for a moment without acting. Everyone is driven to action, often unwillingly, by the qualities born of nature.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| प्रकृतिजैः | prakṛtijaiḥ | born of nature |
| गुणैः | guṇaiḥ | by the qualities of nature |
| हि | na | [term] in context of No one can remain even for a m... |
| कश्चित्क्षणमपि | hi | [term] in context of No one can remain even for a m... |
| जातु | kaścitkṣaṇamapi | [term] in context of No one can remain even for a m... |
| तिष्ठत्यकर्मकृत् | jātu | [term] in context of No one can remain even for a m... |
| कार्यते | tiṣṭhatyakarmakṛt | [term] in context of No one can remain even for a m... |
| ह्यवशः | kāryate | [term] in context of No one can remain even for a m... |
| कर्म | hyavaśaḥ | [term] in context of No one can remain even for a m... |
| सर्वः | karma | [term] in context of No one can remain even for a m... |
| प्रकृतिजैर्गुणैः | sarvaḥ | [term] in context of No one can remain even for a m... |
born of nature
by the qualities of nature
[term] in context of No one can remain even for a m...
[term] in context of No one can remain even for a m...
[term] in context of No one can remain even for a m...
[term] in context of No one can remain even for a m...
[term] in context of No one can remain even for a m...
[term] in context of No one can remain even for a m...
[term] in context of No one can remain even for a m...
[term] in context of No one can remain even for a m...
[term] in context of No one can remain even for a m...
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
The gunas describe the qualities of prakriti shaping embodied activity. Recognizing these influences prepares a more discerning way of acting, rather than an excuse to abandon responsibility.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Life already involves activity even when one intends to do nothing."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
Which activities continue even when you intend to remain inactive?
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.