SYNONYMS

na–not; me–Mine; partha–O son of Prtha; asti–there is; kartavyam–any prescribed duty; trisu–in the three; lokesu–planetary systems; kincana–anything; na–no; anavaptam–in want; avaptavyam–to be gained; varte–engaged; eva–certainly; ca–also; karmani–in one’s prescribed duty.
TRANSLATION

O son of Prtha, there is no work prescribed for Me within all the three planetary systems. Nor am I in want of anything, nor have I need to obtain anything–and yet I am engaged in work.

SYNONYMS

yat–whatever; yat–and whichever; acarati–does he act; sresthah–a respectable leader; tat–that; tat–and that alone; eva–certainly; itarah–common; janah–person; sah–he; yat–whichever; pramanam–evidence; kurute–does perform; lokah–all the world; tat–that; anuvartate–follow in the footsteps.

TRANSLATION

Whatever action is performed by a great man, common men follow in his footsteps. And whatever standards he sets by exemplary acts, all the world pursues.

SYNONYMS

devan–demigods; bhavayata–having pleased; anena–by this sacrifice; te–those; devah–the demigods; bhavayantu–will please; vah–you; parasparam–mutual; bhavayantah–pleasing one another; sreyah–benediction; param–the supreme; avapsyatha–do you achieve.

TRANSLATION

The demigods, being pleased by sacrifices, will also please you; thus nourishing one another, there will reign general prosperity for all.

SYNONYMS

saha–along with; yajnah–sacrifices; prajah–generations; srstva–creating; pura–anciently; uvaca–said; praja-patih–the Lord of creatures; anena–by this; prasavisyadhvam–be more and more prosperous; esah–certainly; vah–your; astu–let it be; ista–all desirable; kama-dhuk–bestower.

TRANSLATION

In the beginning of creation, the Lord of all creatures sent forth generations of men and demigods, along with sacrifices for Visnu, and blessed them by saying, “Be thou happy by this yajna [sacrifice] because its performance will bestow upon you all desirable things.”

SYNONYMS

yajna-arthat–only for the sake of Yajna, or Visnu; karmanah–work done; anyatra–otherwise; lokah–this world; ayam–this; karma-bandhanah–bondage by work; tat–Him; artham–for the sake; karma–work; kaunteya–O son of Kunti; mukta-sangah–liberated from association; samacara–do perfectly.

TRANSLATION

Work done as a sacrifice for Visnu has to be performed, otherwise work binds one to this material world. Therefore, O son of Kunti, perform your prescribed duties for His satisfaction, and in that way you will always remain unattached and free from bondage.

SYNONYMS

niyatam–prescribed; kuru–do; karma–duties; tvam–you; karma–work; jyayah–better; hi–than; akarmanah–without work; sarira–bodily; yatra–maintenance; api–even; ca–also; te–your; na–never; prasiddhyet–effected; akarmanah–without work.

TRANSLATION

Perform your prescribed duty, for action is better than inaction. A man cannot even maintain his physical body without work.

Synonyms

tu–but; yah–one who;� niyamya–regulates;indriyani–the senses; manasa–by the mind; (he) arjuna–O Arjuna; arabhate–begins; karma-yogam–devotion ( Science of uniting the individual to the nature);�� karma-indriyaih–by the active sense organs;asaktah–without attachment to results; sah–he; visisyate–by far the better.

Translation

On the other hand, he who controls the senses by the mind and engages his active organs in works of devotion, without attachment, is by far superior.