In Bhagavad Gita 3.9, Krishna teaches that action binds the world except when done as yajna, sacrifice; so Arjuna should act for that purpose, free from attachment.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
यज्ञार्थात्कर्मणोऽन्यत्र
लोकोऽयं कर्मबन्धनः
तदर्थं कर्म कौन्तेय
मुक्तसङ्गः समाचर ॥ ३-९ ॥
yajñārthātkarmaṇo’nyatra
loko’yaṃ karmabandhanaḥ
tadarthaṃ karma kaunteya
muktasaṅgaḥ samācara
English transliteration yajnaarthaatkarmano’nyatra
loko’yam karmabandhanah
tadartham karma kaunteya
muktasangah samaachara ॥ 3.9 ॥
Translation / Meaning
The world is bound by action, except when action is performed as a sacrifice. Therefore, O son of Kunti, perform action for that sake, free from attachment.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| यज्ञार्थात् yajñārthāt | for the sake of sacrifice yajña (sacrifice, offering) + arthāt (for the sake) |
| कर्मणः karmaṇaḥ | than action |
| अन्यत्र anyatra | otherwise |
| लोकः lokaḥ | the world |
| अयम् ayam | this |
| कर्मबन्धनः karmabandhanaḥ | bound by action karma (action) + bandhanaḥ (bound) |
| तत् अर्थम् tat artham | for that sake |
| कर्म karma | action |
| कौन्तेय kaunteya | O son of Kuntī |
| मुक्तसङ्गः muktasaṅgaḥ | free from attachment mukta (free) + saṅgaḥ (attachment) |
| समाचर samācara | perform |
Word-wise Chanting
- ya–jñār–thāt–kar–ma–ṇo–‘nyat–ra 8 syllables ya-jnaar-thaat-kar-ma-no-‘nyat-ra
- lo–ko–‘yaṃ kar–ma–ban–dha–naḥ | 8 syllables lo-ko-‘yam kar-ma-ban-dha-nah
- ta–dar–thaṃ kar–ma kaun–te–ya 8 syllables ta-dar-tham kar-ma kaun-te-ya
- muk–ta–saṅ–gaḥ sa–mā–ca–ra || 3-9 8 syllables muk-ta-san-gah sa-maa-cha-ra
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 9
Context
Krishna introduces yajña, sacrifice or offering, as the key to action that does not bind (3.9–3.16).
Meaning
Action done for selfish ends creates bondage. But action done as yajña, an offering to the Divine and to the good of the whole, does not bind. Yajña originally meant the Vedic fire sacrifice; the Gita widens it to mean any action offered selflessly. The same deed can bind or free, depending on the spirit behind it.
This verse is a key to karma yoga. Instead of asking “what do I get?”, the karma yogi asks “what can I offer?” Work becomes worship. Cooking, teaching, building, caring: all can be offerings. The attitude of offering frees the heart from anxiety about results.
In Practice
Before starting work today, silently offer it to the Divine or to the good of others. Notice how this shifts your attitude.
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.