In Bhagavad Gita 3.20, Krishna reminds Arjuna that kings like Janaka attained perfection through action, and that he should act with the welfare of the world in view.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
कर्मणैव हि संसिद्धिम्
आस्थिता जनकादयः
लोकसङ्ग्रहमेवापि
सम्पश्यन्कर्तुमर्हसि ॥ ३-२० ॥
karmaṇaiva hi saṃsiddhim
āsthitā janakādayaḥ
lokasaṅgrahamevāpi
sampaśyankartumarhasi
English transliteration karmanaiva hi samsiddhim
aasthitaa janakaadayah
lokasangrahamevaapi
sampashyankartumarhasi ॥ 3.20 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Janaka and others attained perfection through action alone. You too should act, keeping in view the welfare of the world.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| कर्मणा karmaṇā | by action |
| एव eva | alone |
| हि hi | indeed |
| संसिद्धिम् saṃsiddhim | perfection |
| आस्थिताः āsthitāḥ | attained |
| जनकादयः janakādayaḥ | Janaka and others janaka (King Janaka) + ādayaḥ (and others) |
| लोकसङ्ग्रहम् lokasaṅgraham | the welfare of the world loka (world) + saṅgraham (holding together) |
| एव अपि eva api | also |
| सम्पश्यन् sampaśyan | considering |
| कर्तुम् kartum | to act |
| अर्हसि arhasi | you should |
Word-wise Chanting
- kar–ma–ṇai–va hi saṃ–sid–dhim– 8 syllables kar-ma-nai-va hi sam-sid-dhim-
- ās–thi–tā ja–na–kā–da–yaḥ | 8 syllables aas-thi-taa ja-na-kaa-da-yah
- lo–ka–saṅ–gra–ha–me–vā–pi 8 syllables lo-ka-san-gra-ha-me-vaa-pi
- sam–paś–yan–kar–tu–mar–ha–si || 3-20 8 syllables sam-pash-yan-kar-tu-mar-ha-si
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 20
Context
Krishna gives examples and a further motive for action (3.20–3.26).
Meaning
King Janaka was famous as a royal sage who ruled his kingdom while fully realised. He proves that perfection and worldly responsibility can go together. Krishna introduces a central idea: lokasaṅgraha, holding the world together, the welfare and cohesion of society. Even if Arjuna did not need to act for himself, he should act for this.
Lokasaṅgraha gives the karma yogi a motive larger than personal gain. We act to support the order and well-being of the world. Leaders, parents, teachers and citizens all hold the world together through their example and work. This is service in its broadest sense.
In Practice
Ask yourself how your work today helps hold your family, team or community together. Do it with that larger purpose in mind.
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.