Bhagavad Gita Chapter 3 Verse 9 (3.9)
Reflective Prompt:
Imagine your school has a garden, and every student is supposed to water and care for the plants. What should you do?
- ▪ Option 1: Help take care of the garden.
- ▪ Option 2: Take the fruits and flowers without helping.
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 3 Verse 9 (3.9)
यज्ञार्थात्कर्मणोऽन्यत्र लोकोऽयं कर्मबन्धनः । तदर्थं कर्म कौन्तेय मुक्तसङ्गः समाचर | | ३-९ | |
yajñārthātkarmaṇo’nyatra loko’yaṁ karmabandhanaḥ tadarthaṁ karma kaunteya muktasaṅgaḥ samāchara
Word-by-word guide:
Line 1:
- यत्
(yat)— जो कि(that which) - न
(na)— नहीं(not) -
rjoined in yajñārthātkarmaṇo’nyatra - तत्
(tad)— वह(that) - कर्मणः
(karmanah)— यज्ञ के अलावा किया कर्म(action done for anything other than sacrifice or worship) - अन्यत्र
(anyatra)— अन्यथा(action done for anything other than sacrifice or worship) - लोकाः
(lokah)— यह संसार कर्म से बंधा है(this world is bound by action) - अयम्
(ayam)— यह संसार कर्म से बंधा है(this world is bound by action) - कर्मबन्धनः
(karma-bandhanah)— कर्म बंधन(this world is bound by action)
Line 2:
- तत्
(tad)— वह(that) -
artamjoined in tadarthaṁ - कर्म
(karma)— कर्म(perform action) - कौन्तेय
(Kaunteya)— हे कुन्तीपुत्र(son of Kunti) - उत-सग
(mukta-sangah)— मुक्त(free from attachment) - समाचर
(samachara)— करो(perform action)
English: In this world people are fettered by action, unless it is performed as a worship. So, Arjuna, let your acts be done without being stuck, as worship only.
Learnings from Shloka 9:
- Selfless Offering:: Performing duties as a contribution to the larger good prevents the buildup of binding ego.
- Freedom from Bondage:: Shifting the focus from 'what do I get' to 'what can I give' dissolves attachment.
Gita/Sanskrit Language Quiz
Practice this shloka vocabularyMatch Sanskrit words from shloka 3.9 with their Hindi and English meanings.
Practice vocabulary
Work only binds us to the material world when it is performed for selfish reasons. When action is done as Yajna (selfless sacrifice or offering), it becomes a source of liberation.