In Bhagavad Gita 18.3, Krishna says some thinkers declare all action should be abandoned as evil, while others say acts of sacrifice, charity and austerity should not be abandoned.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
त्याज्यं दोषवदित्येके
कर्म प्राहुर्मनीषिणः
यज्ञदानतपःकर्म
न त्याज्यमिति चापरे ॥ १८-३ ॥
tyājyaṃ doṣavadityeke
karma prāhurmanīṣiṇaḥ
yajñadānatapaḥkarma
na tyājyamiti cāpare
English transliteration tyaajyam doshavadityeke
karma praahurmaneeshinah
yajnadaanatapahkarma
na tyaajyamiti chaapare ॥ 18.3 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Some thinkers declare that action should be abandoned as being full of evil; others say that acts of sacrifice, charity and austerity should not be abandoned.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| त्याज्यम् tyājyam | should be abandoned |
| दोषवत् doṣavat | as being full of evil doṣa (evil) + vat (full) |
| इति iti | thus |
| एके eke | some |
| कर्म karma | action |
| प्राहुः prāhuḥ | declare |
| मनीषिणः manīṣiṇaḥ | thinkers |
| यज्ञदानतपःकर्म yajñadānatapaḥkarma | acts of sacrifice, charity and austerity yajña (sacrifice) + dāna (charity) + tapaḥ (austerity) + karma (acts) |
| न na | not |
| त्याज्यम् tyājyam | should be abandoned |
| इति iti | thus |
| च ca | and |
| अपरे apare | others |
Word-wise Chanting
- tyāj–yaṃ do–ṣa–va–dit–ye–ke 8 syllables tyaaj-yam do-sha-va-dit-ye-ke
- kar–ma prā–hur–ma–nī–ṣi–ṇaḥ | 8 syllables kar-ma praa-hur-ma-nee-shi-nah
- ya–jña–dā–na–ta–paḥ–kar–ma 8 syllables ya-jna-daa-na-ta-pah-kar-ma
- na tyāj–ya–mi–ti cā–pa–re || 18-3 8 syllables na tyaaj-ya-mi-ti chaa-pa-re
How to read this
How to chant: each line is one pāda (quarter-verse); chant it in one breath. The hyphen (-) divides the syllables, inside a word and across a sandhi join, so every pāda shows its 8 syllables (11 in triṣṭubh verses). A consonant cluster is divided after its first consonant (kar-ma, vet-ti): that syllable is held longer. Mark above a syllable: guru, long (two beats); laghu, short (one beat). | closes the half-verse, || the verse; the number is the syllable count of the pāda.
Deeper Explanation – Chapter 18 Verse 3
Context
Krishna presents conflicting views (18.2–18.3).
Meaning
Some philosophers hold that all action is doṣavat, inevitably tainted, and should be abandoned. Others maintain that the sacred acts of yajña, dāna and tapas must never be given up.
This was a real debate among the schools of Krishna’s time. He will now give his own decisive view.
In Practice
Reflect on whether you see action as a burden to escape or as an opportunity to serve.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 18: Moksha Sannyasa Yoga (Liberation and Renunciation). Read the chapter overview, browse every verse of the Gita, or return to the chapter-by-chapter guide. For a reading plan, see how to study the Bhagavad Gita and the study resources.