Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 3 · Karma Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 3.23 यदि ह्यहं न वर्तेयं जातु
श्लोक 3.23
यदि ह्यहं न वर्तेयं जातु कर्मण्यतन्द्रितः ।
मम वर्त्मानुवर्तन्ते मनुष्याः पार्थ सर्वशः ॥
yadi hyahaṃ na varteyaṃ jātu karmaṇyatandritaḥ |
mama vartmānuvartante manuṣyāḥ pārtha sarvaśaḥ ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
हे पार्थ! यदि मैं कभी सावधान होकर कर्म न करूँ, तो मनुष्य सब प्रकार से मेरे ही मार्ग का अनुसरण करने लगेंगे।
Meaning in English
For if I ever ceased to work tirelessly, O Partha, people would follow My path in every way.
Bhagavad Gita 3.23 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| यदि | yadi | if |
| हि | hi | indeed |
| अहम् | aham | I |
| न | na | not |
| वर्तेयम् | varteyam | were to engage |
| जातु | jātu | ever |
| कर्मणि | karmaṇi | in action |
| अतन्द्रितः | atandritaḥ | tirelessly, without lapse |
| मम | mama | my |
| वर्त्म | vartma | path |
| अनुवर्तन्ते | anuvartante | follow |
| मनुष्याः | manuṣyāḥ | people |
| पार्थ | pārtha | O Partha |
| सर्वशः | sarvaśaḥ | in every way |
Explanation
For if I ever failed to engage in action tirelessly, O Partha, people would follow my path in every way.
Krishna explains why he keeps working: others imitate the great, as verse 21 said. If even the Lord rested, people would take it as permission to neglect their duties. The same line, 'mama vartmānuvartante manuṣyāḥ pārtha sarvaśaḥ', appears again in 4.11 in a different sense, where it means all paths finally lead to him. Commentators read this verse as the responsibility of example, which grows with influence.
भावार्थ
हे पार्थ! यदि मैं कभी सावधान होकर कर्म में न लगूँ, तो मनुष्य सब प्रकार से मेरे ही मार्ग का अनुसरण करेंगे।
Living it today
Parents, leaders and seniors are watched more than heard. If you slack, others will too; your effort quietly sets the standard.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 3.23?
For if I ever failed to engage in action tirelessly, O Partha, people would follow my path in every way.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 3.23?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 3 (Karma Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 3.23 in daily life?
Parents, leaders and seniors are watched more than heard. If you slack, others will too; your effort quietly sets the standard.
Reflected on verse 3.23?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.