Verse 3.8
Speaker: Krishna
Sanskrit
नियतं कुरु कर्म त्वं कर्म ज्यायो ह्यकर्मणः। शरीरयात्रापि च ते न प्रसिद्ध्येदकर्मणः।।
Transliteration (IAST)
niyataṁ kuru karma tvaṁ karma jyāyo hy akarmaṇaḥ | śarīra-yātrāpi ca te na prasiddhyed akarmaṇaḥ ||
Word-by-Word Meanings
नियतम्-prescribed
कुरु-perform
कर्म-duty/action
ज्यायः-superior
अकर्मणः-than inaction
शरीरयात्रा-bodily maintenance
Translation
Perform your prescribed duty, for action is superior to inaction. Even the maintenance of your body would not be possible through inaction.
Commentary
Krishna gives a direct instruction: perform your prescribed duties. He provides a practical argument - even basic survival requires action. This verse is a cornerstone of Karma Yoga, establishing that disciplined action aligned with one's dharma is the path to spiritual growth.
Themes
karmadutydharma