Bhagavad Gita · Verse 3.9
Chapter 3: Karma Yoga (कर्मयोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
यज्ञार्थात्कर्मणोऽन्यत्र लोकोऽयं कर्मबन्धनः । तदर्थं कर्म कौन्तेय मुक्तसङ्गः समाचर ॥९॥
yajñārthātkarmaṇo'nyatra loko'yaṃ karmabandhanaḥ | tadarthaṃ karma kaunteya muktasaṅgaḥ samācara ||9||
Complete Shloka Translation
Action other than that performed for sacrifice binds this world. Kunti's son, act for that purpose, carrying out your work free from attachment.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| यज्ञ-अर्थात् | yajña-arthāt | done for the sake of sacrifice / offering |
| कर्मणः | karmaṇaḥ | than action |
| अन्यत्र | anyatra | otherwise / elsewhere |
| लोकः अयम् | lokaḥ ayam | this world of humanity |
| कर्म-बन्धनः | karma-bandhanaḥ | bound by action |
| तत्-अर्थम् | tat-artham | for that purpose (of Yajna) |
| कर्म | karma | duty / action |
| कौन्तेय | kaunteya | O son of Kunti |
| मुक्त-सङ्गः | mukta-saṅgaḥ | free from personal attachment |
| समाचर | samācara | perform thoroughly |
done for the sake of sacrifice / offering
than action
otherwise / elsewhere
this world of humanity
bound by action
for that purpose (of Yajna)
duty / action
O son of Kunti
free from personal attachment
perform thoroughly
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
Yajna retains its sacrificial meaning in the following passage. Reading it more broadly as offering or service can aid reflection, but is an interpretation rather than a replacement of the ritual term.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"The purpose and disposition of work matter to its binding effects."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
How does offering a task change the intention with which you perform it?
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.