3.1
Arjuna said, “O Lord, you say that wisdom and restraint are superior to blind action, yet you encourage me to engage in terrible acts of war.
3.2
I am confused by your conflicting statements. Please tell me clearly what is best for my spiritual welfare.”
3.3
Lord Krishna said:
O Innocent One, there are indeed two paths to enlightenment — the path of knowledge, for those inclined to solitude and meditation, and the path of action for those who move about in the world.
3.4
One does not become free of karma by refusing to act. Neither does renouncing activity alone lead to Samadhi.
3.5
Indeed, it is not possible for anyone to be truly inactive even for a moment. The three gunas, and the qualities of one’s nature, compel a person helplessly to action whether he intends it or not.
3.6
One who remains motionless, refusing to act while still desiring sense-objects, is a hypocrite, a self-deluded pretender.
3.7
The earnest yogi, whose mind controls his senses, who dedicates his capacity for action to selfless service and sincere devotion, is far superior.
3.8
Perform your duty and excel at your prescribed work. Action is necessary, and superior to inaction. You cannot even maintain your physical body without work.
3.9
Yet know that work binds one to the material world unless performed as a sacrifice. Whatever work you do, do it for God, and you will not be bound to the world.
3.10
In the beginning, the Lord of Creation brought forth generations of men and demigods, and bestowed upon men the capacity for sacrifice. And he said to them, “Be thankful for your ability to make sacrifices. Through sacrifice you shall prosper and attain all that you desire.
3.11
“The demigods, being nourished by your sacrifices, will nourish you in return. When gods and men cooperate, prosperity reigns for all.”
3.12
Indeed, the gods of the natural world are the keepers of all luxuries and necessities of life.
These they freely give to those who offer their works to them as sacrifice. Men who work only for themselves and accept the gifts of the gods without sacrifice are nothing but thieves.
3.13
The practitioner who consumes what food remains after offering it in sacrifice, gathers no karma. But he who prepares food for himself alone and consumes it for his own sense pleasure, eats only sin.
3.14
All beings need food to live. Food comes from rain. Rain comes through sacrifice. Sacrifice is the selfless performance of duty.
3.15
Know that all action arises from the God of Creation, who in turn arises from the Supreme Self. Therefore all acts of sacrifice are performed by God in service of Self, which are not two.
3.16
He who does not pass on what he is given through the revolving wheel of sacrifice — who gathers only unto himself the pleasures of the world — truly lives in vain.
3.17
Yet for one who has realized Self, who abides illumined in Self, who is content in Self alone, for him there are no duties or sacrifices.
3.18
One who has realized Self has nothing to gain or lose by doing or not-doing. He has no obligations or purpose, and depends on no one.
3.19
Therefore, do what needs to be done without regard for reward. Make offerings without expectation of blessings. The Supreme Self will make itself known.
3.20
King Janaka lived a life of action and duty, and he became enlightened. Many spiritual aspirants have profited by his example. Therefore, even if only for the benefit of others, do your duty and act!
3.21
For whatever a great man does, others will emulate. The path his actions prescribe, others will walk.
3.22
O Arjuna, in all the Universe there is nothing I want, nothing I have to gain by any action. There are no obligations before me, no greater purpose beckoning, no reason even to move. Still, I do my work.
3.23
For if did not, others would point to my example and feel justified in not doing their work.
3.24
If I did not, the three worlds would fall into chaos and disorder. The population would swell with unrighteous beings and societies would crumble. Peace would be destroyed.
3.25
The ignorant perform their actions with attachment to results and hope for personal reward. The sage acts selflessly, hoping only that others might somehow benefit. His example lights the path of righteousness.
3.26
The sage does not to disturb the sleeping minds of those attached to the rewards of their actions. Rather, he merely performs his own actions with unattached equanimity, and lets them draw what conclusions they will.
3.27
The sage knows that it is the forces of nature, the three gunas, that cause all action, and that it is only the bewildered mind of man that thinks, “I am doing this!”
3.28
The sage sees that these three forces both stimulate the senses and activate the sensory world, thus he avoids entanglement.
3.29
The sage sees that the ignorant masses are transfixed by the interplay of these forces, and compelled by desire for reward, but he does not interfere.
3.30
Fix your mind on the Supreme, Arjuna, and surrender your actions to Me. Without attachment or expectation, without ownership or self-interest, without desire or fear, fight!
3.31
Those who earnestly follow My teachings with faith and surrender, become liberated from the bondage of karma.
3.32
But those who hear these teachings I speak, yet ridicule and decry them and do not put them into practice — who choose instead delusion and bondage — such as these bring about their own ruin.
3.33
Everyone acts in accordance with his own nature, even a man of knowledge. There is no point trying to change this.
3.34
The senses dictate whether one is attracted to, or repulsed by, a sense object. Do not let this control you. The senses are an obstacle to Self-Realization.
3.35
It is far better to perform your own duties, though they seem modest, than to covet another’s duties that seem grand. Better to die performing that which is given to you. It is dangerous to live another’s life.
3.36
Arjuna said, “O Krishna, what compels a man to sin against his own will, as if under the control of some unseen force?”
3.37
Lord Krishna said:
That force is desire, Arjuna, which gives rise to aversion, envy, anger and lust. Desire is man’s greatest enemy.
3.38
As a flame is enveloped by smoke, as a mirror is obscured by dust, as an embryo is wrapped by the womb, so is the mind of man enshrouded by desire.
3.39
All of consciousness is infused with this enemy, which countermands reason and burns like fire.
3.40
Its seats of power are the senses, mind, and ego, through which it veils timeless wisdom, creates its own illusion, and bewilders the soul.
3.41
Therefore, before all else, control the senses and slay the enemy of desire — which destroys equanimity and prevents Self-Realization.
3.42
Superior to the body are senses. Superior to the senses is mind. Superior to mind is Intelligence. Superior to Intelligence is Self.
3.43
Knowing Oneself to be superior to intelligence, mind, body and senses, use your spiritual power to subdue this enemy called desire.