Verse 3.23
Speaker: Krishna
Sanskrit
यदि ह्यहं न वर्तेयं जातु कर्मण्यतन्द्रितः। मम वर्त्मानुवर्तन्ते मनुष्याः पार्थ सर्वशः।।
Transliteration (IAST)
yadi hy ahaṁ na varteyaṁ jātu karmaṇy atandritaḥ | mama vartmānuvartante manuṣyāḥ pārtha sarvaśaḥ ||
Word-by-Word Meanings
अहम्-I
न वर्तेयम्-would not engage
कर्मणि-in action
अतन्द्रितः-with care
वर्त्म-path
अनुवर्तन्ते-follow
Translation
For if I ever ceased to engage in action carefully, O Partha, all people would follow My path in every way.
Commentary
Krishna explains the consequence of His hypothetical inaction. Since people follow the example of the great, His withdrawal from action would lead to universal chaos. This reinforces the social responsibility that comes with spiritual authority and knowledge.
Themes
dharmadutykarma