In Bhagavad Gita 3.22, Krishna says that he has no duty in the three worlds and nothing to gain, yet he continues to act.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
न मे पार्थास्ति कर्तव्यं
त्रिषु लोकेषु किञ्चन
नानवाप्तमवाप्तव्यं
वर्त एव च कर्मणि ॥ ३-२२ ॥
na me pārthāsti kartavyaṃ
triṣu lokeṣu kiñcana
nānavāptamavāptavyaṃ
varta eva ca karmaṇi
English transliteration na me paarthaasti kartavyam
trishu lokeshu kinchana
naanavaaptamavaaptavyam
varta eva cha karmani ॥ 3.22 ॥
Translation / Meaning
O Partha, there is nothing in the three worlds that I must do, nor is there anything unattained that I need to attain; yet I continue to engage in action.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| न na | not |
| मे me | for Me |
| पार्थ pārtha | O Pārtha |
| अस्ति asti | is |
| कर्तव्यम् kartavyam | duty |
| त्रिषु triṣu | in the three |
| लोकेषु lokeṣu | worlds |
| किञ्चन kiñcana | anything |
| न na | not |
| अनवाप्तम् anavāptam | unattained |
| अवाप्तव्यम् avāptavyam | to be attained |
| वर्ते varte | I engage |
| एव eva | indeed |
| च ca | and |
| कर्मणि karmaṇi | in action |
Word-wise Chanting
- na me pār–thās–ti kar–tav–yaṃ 8 syllables na me paar-thaas-ti kar-tav-yam
- tri–ṣu lo–ke–ṣu kiñ–ca–na | 8 syllables tri-shu lo-ke-shu kin-cha-na
- nā–na–vāp–ta–ma–vāp–tav–yaṃ 8 syllables naa-na-vaap-ta-ma-vaap-tav-yam
- var–ta e–va ca kar–ma–ṇi || 3-22 8 syllables var-ta e-va cha kar-ma-ni
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 22
Context
Krishna offers himself as the supreme example of action without personal need (3.22–3.24).
Meaning
Krishna, as the Divine, has nothing to gain and no obligation to fulfil. Yet he acts: as charioteer, friend, teacher and guardian of dharma. His action is pure service, free from need. This shows that action and freedom are not opposed; the freest of all beings is also tirelessly active.
The verse dissolves the idea that the highest state is one of inertia. The Divine is ever-active in creation, preservation and grace. When we act without personal need, we come closer to the divine way of acting: freely, generously, for the good of all.
In Practice
Do one helpful action today that you have no need or obligation to do, simply because it benefits someone.
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.