Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 3 · Karma Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 3.9 यज्ञार्थात्कर्मणोऽन्यत्र लोकोऽयं कर्मबन्धनः
श्लोक 3.9
यज्ञार्थात्कर्मणोऽन्यत्र लोकोऽयं कर्मबन्धनः ।
तदर्थं कर्म कौन्तेय मुक्तसङ्गः समाचर ॥
yajñārthātkarmaṇo'nyatra loko'yaṃ karmabandhanaḥ |
tadarthaṃ karma kaunteya muktasaṅgaḥ samācara ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
यज्ञ के लिए किए गए कर्म के अतिरिक्त अन्य कर्मों से यह संसार बंधता है। इसलिए हे कुन्तीपुत्र! आसक्ति छोड़कर यज्ञ-भाव से भली-भाँति कर्म करो।
Meaning in English
Except for work done as sacrifice (yajna), this world is bound by action. Therefore, O son of Kunti (Arjuna), free from attachment, perform action for that purpose.
Bhagavad Gita 3.9 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| यज्ञार्थात् | yajña-arthāt | done as yajna (offering) |
| कर्मणः | karmaṇaḥ | than work |
| अन्यत्र | anyatra | other than |
| लोकः अयम् | lokaḥ ayam | this world |
| कर्मबन्धनः | karma-bandhanaḥ | bound by work |
| तदर्थम् | tad-artham | for that purpose |
| कर्म | karma | work |
| कौन्तेय | kaunteya | O son of Kunti |
| मुक्तसङ्गः | mukta-saṅgaḥ | free from attachment |
| समाचर | samācara | perform well |
Explanation
Work done for any purpose other than yajna — offering — binds people in this world. So, O son of Kunti, do your work as an offering, free from attachment.
Yajña here is more than a fire ritual: it is any action done as an offering for the good of all. Work done selfishly binds; the same work done as an offering frees.
भावार्थ
यज्ञ (अर्पण) के लिए किए गए कर्म के अतिरिक्त अन्य कर्मों से यह संसार बँधता है; इसलिए हे कौन्तेय, आसक्ति छोड़कर यज्ञ के लिए ही भली-भाँति कर्म करो।
Living it today
Think of your work as a contribution to others; the same tasks feel lighter and more meaningful.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 3.9?
Work done for any purpose other than yajna — offering — binds people in this world. So, O son of Kunti, do your work as an offering, free from attachment.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 3.9?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 3 (Karma Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 3.9 in daily life?
Think of your work as a contribution to others; the same tasks feel lighter and more meaningful.
Reflected on verse 3.9?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.