In Bhagavad Gita 3.25, Krishna says that just as the ignorant act with attachment, the wise should act without attachment, desiring the welfare of the world.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
सक्ताः कर्मण्यविद्वांसो
यथा कुर्वन्ति भारत
कुर्याद्विद्वांस्तथासक्तश्
चिकीर्षुर्लोकसङ्ग्रहम् ॥ ३-२५ ॥
saktāḥ karmaṇyavidvāṃso
yathā kurvanti bhārata
kuryādvidvāṃstathāsaktaś
cikīrṣurlokasaṅgraham
English transliteration saktaah karmanyavidvaamso
yathaa kurvanti bhaarata
kuryaadvidvaamstathaasaktash
chikeershurlokasangraham ॥ 3.25 ॥
Translation / Meaning
As the unwise act with attachment to their work, O descendant of Bharata, so should the wise act without attachment, desiring to maintain the welfare of the world.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| सक्ताः saktāḥ | attached |
| कर्मणि karmaṇi | to action |
| अविद्वांसः avidvāṃsaḥ | the unwise |
| यथा yathā | as |
| कुर्वन्ति kurvanti | act |
| भारत bhārata | O descendant of Bharata |
| कुर्यात् kuryāt | should act |
| विद्वान् vidvān | the wise |
| तथा tathā | so |
| असक्तः asaktaḥ | unattached |
| चिकीर्षुः cikīrṣuḥ | desiring |
| लोकसङ्ग्रहम् lokasaṅgraham | the welfare of the world |
Word-wise Chanting
- sak–tāḥ kar–maṇ–ya–vid–vāṃ–so 8 syllables sak-taah kar-man-ya-vid-vaam-so
- ya–thā kur–van–ti bhā–ra–ta | 8 syllables ya-thaa kur-van-ti bhaa-ra-ta
- kur–yād–vid–vāṃs–ta–thā–sak–taś– 8 syllables kur-yaad-vid-vaams-ta-thaa-sak-tash-
- ci–kīr–ṣur–lo–ka–saṅ–gra–ham || 3-25 8 syllables chi-keer-shur-lo-ka-san-gra-ham
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 25
Context
Krishna draws the lesson of his own example for the wise (3.25–3.26).
Meaning
Ordinary people work hard because they are attached to results. The wise should work just as hard, but for a different reason: not for personal gain but for lokasaṅgraha, the welfare of all. The energy is the same; the motive is transformed.
This verse removes the idea that detachment means half-hearted effort. A wise person may work with the same intensity as an ambitious one, yet remain free inside. Excellence and detachment can coexist; in fact, freedom from anxiety often makes the work better.
In Practice
Work today with full energy on something important, but release your personal stake in the result. Notice whether the work feels lighter.
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.