Verse 3.20
Speaker: Krishna
Sanskrit
कर्मणैव हि संसिद्धिमास्थिता जनकादयः। लोकसंग्रहमेवापि सम्पश्यन्कर्तुमर्हसि।।
Transliteration (IAST)
karmaṇaiva hi saṁsiddhim āsthitā janakādayaḥ | loka-saṅgraham evāpi sampaśyan kartum arhasi ||
Word-by-Word Meanings
कर्मणा-by action
संसिद्धिम्-perfection
जनकादयः-King Janaka and others
लोकसंग्रहम्-welfare of the world
सम्पश्यन्-considering
कर्तुम्-to act
Translation
King Janaka and others attained perfection through action alone. Even considering the welfare of the world, you should act.
Commentary
Krishna cites the historical example of King Janaka, who achieved Self-realization while actively ruling his kingdom. This proves that worldly engagement is not an obstacle to liberation. The concept of lokasamgraha - acting for the welfare of the world - introduces the social dimension of Karma Yoga.
Themes
karmadutydharma