In Bhagavad Gita 3.23, Krishna says that if he ever stopped acting tirelessly, people everywhere would follow his path.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
यदि ह्यहं न वर्तेयं
जातु कर्मण्यतन्द्रितः
मम वर्त्मानुवर्तन्ते
मनुष्याः पार्थ सर्वशः ॥ ३-२३ ॥
yadi hyahaṃ na varteyaṃ
jātu karmaṇyatandritaḥ
mama vartmānuvartante
manuṣyāḥ pārtha sarvaśaḥ
English transliteration yadi hyaham na varteyam
jaatu karmanyatandritah
mama vartmaanuvartante
manushyaah paartha sarvashah ॥ 3.23 ॥
Translation / Meaning
For if I did not ever engage in action tirelessly, O Partha, people would follow My path in every way.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| यदि yadi | if |
| हि hi | indeed |
| अहम् aham | I |
| न na | not |
| वर्तेयम् varteyam | should engage |
| जातु jātu | ever |
| कर्मणि karmaṇi | in action |
| अतन्द्रितः atandritaḥ | tirelessly |
| मम mama | My |
| वर्त्म vartma | path |
| अनुवर्तन्ते anuvartante | follow |
| मनुष्याः manuṣyāḥ | people |
| पार्थ pārtha | O Pārtha |
| सर्वशः sarvaśaḥ | in every way |
Word-wise Chanting
- ya–di hya–haṃ na var–te–yaṃ 8 syllables ya-di hya-ham na var-te-yam
- jā–tu kar–maṇ–ya–tan–dri–taḥ | 8 syllables jaa-tu kar-man-ya-tan-dri-tah
- ma–ma var–tmā–nu–var–tan–te 8 syllables ma-ma var-tmaa-nu-var-tan-te
- ma–nuṣ–yāḥ pār–tha sar–va–śaḥ || 3-23 8 syllables ma-nush-yaah paar-tha sar-va-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 23
Context
Krishna explains why he acts though he has no need (continuing 3.22).
Meaning
Because people follow the example of the great (3.21), the Divine’s example is the most powerful of all. If Krishna, the highest, were to stop acting, everyone would take inactivity as the ideal. His tireless action, atandrita, is therefore an act of compassion for humanity.
The word atandrita, without laziness, describes a quality worth cultivating. Steady, cheerful effort is a form of spiritual practice and a gift to those who learn from us. Our tirelessness in good work encourages others to do the same.
In Practice
Notice where you have become lazy in some good habit. Restart it today, knowing that your effort may encourage others.
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.