In Bhagavad Gita 3.19, Krishna tells Arjuna to always perform his duty without attachment, for by acting without attachment one attains the Supreme.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
तस्मादसक्तः सततं
कार्यं कर्म समाचर
असक्तो ह्याचरन्कर्म
परमाप्नोति पूरुषः ॥ ३-१९ ॥
tasmādasaktaḥ satataṃ
kāryaṃ karma samācara
asakto hyācarankarma
paramāpnoti pūruṣaḥ
English transliteration tasmaadasaktah satatam
kaaryam karma samaachara
asakto hyaacharankarma
paramaapnoti poorushah ॥ 3.19 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Therefore, always perform the work that has to be done without attachment, for by performing action without attachment one attains the Supreme.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| तस्मात् tasmāt | therefore |
| असक्तः asaktaḥ | without attachment |
| सततम् satatam | always |
| कार्यम् kāryam | that which should be done |
| कर्म karma | work |
| समाचर samācara | perform |
| असक्तः asaktaḥ | unattached |
| हि hi | indeed |
| आचरन् ācaran | performing |
| कर्म karma | action |
| परम् param | the Supreme |
| आप्नोति āpnoti | attains |
| पूरुषः pūruṣaḥ | a person |
Word-wise Chanting
- tas–mā–da–sak–taḥ sa–ta–taṃ 8 syllables tas-maa-da-sak-tah sa-ta-tam
- kār–yaṃ kar–ma sa–mā–ca–ra | 8 syllables kaar-yam kar-ma sa-maa-cha-ra
- a–sak–to hyā–ca–ran–kar–ma 8 syllables a-sak-to hyaa-cha-ran-kar-ma
- pa–ra–māp–no–ti pū–ru–ṣaḥ || 3-19 8 syllables pa-ra-maap-no-ti poo-ru-shah
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 3 Verse 19
Context
Krishna returns from the description of the sage (3.17–3.18) to direct advice for Arjuna.
Meaning
Arjuna is not yet the sage who has nothing left to do. For him, the path is clear: do what must be done, without attachment. Such action is not a lower path; it leads directly to param, the Supreme. Karma yoga is a complete path to liberation.
The verse is encouraging. You do not have to wait until you are perfect to begin. By doing your duty with a free heart, you are already walking toward the highest goal. Every day’s work becomes a step on the spiritual path.
In Practice
Pick one obligation you usually do reluctantly. Do it today wholeheartedly and without attachment, as a step toward the highest.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 3: Karma Yoga (The Yoga of Action). 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.