Verse 3.9
Speaker: Krishna
Sanskrit
यज्ञार्थात्कर्मणोऽन्यत्र लोकोऽयं कर्मबन्धनः। तदर्थं कर्म कौन्तेय मुक्तसङ्गः समाचर।।
Transliteration (IAST)
yajñārthāt karmaṇo 'nyatra loko 'yaṁ karma-bandhanaḥ | tad-arthaṁ karma kaunteya mukta-saṅgaḥ samācara ||
Word-by-Word Meanings
यज्ञार्थात्-for the sake of sacrifice
कर्मबन्धनः-bondage through action
मुक्तसङ्गः-free from attachment
समाचर-perform
लोकः-this world
Translation
Work done as a sacrifice to the Supreme frees one from bondage. Otherwise, work binds one to this material world. Therefore, O son of Kunti, perform your duty free from attachment, as an offering.
Commentary
This verse introduces the concept of yajna (sacrifice) as the key to liberating action. When work is performed as an offering rather than for personal gain, it ceases to create karmic bondage. This transforms ordinary duty into a spiritual practice.
Themes
karmasurrendermokshaduty