In Bhagavad Gita 3.31, Krishna says that those who constantly follow this teaching with faith and without finding fault are freed from the bondage of action.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
ये मे मतमिदं नित्यम्
अनुतिष्ठन्ति मानवाः
श्रद्धावन्तोऽनसूयन्तो
मुच्यन्ते तेऽपि कर्मभिः ॥ ३-३१ ॥
ye me matamidaṃ nityam
anutiṣṭhanti mānavāḥ
śraddhāvanto’nasūyanto
mucyante te’pi karmabhiḥ
English transliteration ye me matamidam nityam
anutishthanti maanavaah
shraddhaavanto’nasooyanto
muchyante te’pi karmabhih ॥ 3.31 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Those who constantly follow this teaching of Mine with faith and without cavilling are also freed from the bondage of action.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ये ye | who |
| मे me | My |
| मतम् matam | teaching |
| इदम् idam | this |
| नित्यम् nityam | constantly |
| अनुतिष्ठन्ति anutiṣṭhanti | follow |
| मानवाः mānavāḥ | people |
| श्रद्धावन्तः śraddhāvantaḥ | with faith |
| अनसूयन्तः anasūyantaḥ | without cavilling, without fault-finding |
| मुच्यन्ते mucyante | are freed |
| ते te | they |
| अपि api | also |
| कर्मभिः karmabhiḥ | from actions |
Word-wise Chanting
- ye me ma–ta–mi–daṃ nit–yam– 8 syllables ye me ma-ta-mi-dam nit-yam-
- a–nu–tiṣ–ṭhan–ti mā–na–vāḥ | 8 syllables a-nu-tish-than-ti maa-na-vaah
- śrad–dhā–van–to–‘na–sū–yan–to 8 syllables shrad-dhaa-van-to-‘na-soo-yan-to
- muc–yan–te te–‘pi kar–ma–bhiḥ || 3-31 8 syllables much-yan-te te-‘pi kar-ma-bhih
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 31
Context
Krishna describes the result of following the teaching of 3.30.
Meaning
The promise is open to all: anyone who follows this teaching with śraddhā, faith, and without asūyā, envious fault-finding, will be freed from the bondage of karma. Faith here is not blind belief but trusting openness that allows the teaching to work.
Fault-finding closes the mind; faith opens it. Many spiritual teachings fail to transform us because we approach them looking for flaws rather than for truth. Krishna invites a receptive attitude that lets the teaching take root and bear fruit.
In Practice
Approach one teaching that challenges you with openness today, looking for what is true in it before looking for what is wrong.
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.