As the ignorant act with attachment to action, so should the wise act without attachment, seeking the welfare of the world.
— Krishna
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Bhagavad Gita · 3.25
Hindi · हिन्दी
हे भरतवंशोद्भव अर्जुन कर्ममें आसक्त हुए अज्ञानीजन जिस प्रकार कर्म करते हैं, आसक्तिरहित विद्वान भी लोकसंग्रह करना चाहता हुआ उसी प्रकार कर्म करे । तत्त्वज्ञ महापुरुष कर्मोंमें आसक्तिवाले अज्ञानी मनुष्योंकी बुद्धिमें भ्रम उत्पन्न न करे, प्रत्युत स्वयं समस्त कर्मोंको अच्छी तरहसे करता हुआ उनसे भी वैसे ही करवाये ॥
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Hover a word to focus on it.
सक्ताःattachedकर्मणिin actionअविद्वांसःthe ignorantयथाasकुर्वन्तिperformभारतO Bharataकुर्यात्should performविद्वान्the wiseतथाlikewiseअसक्तःwithout attachmentचिकीर्षुःdesiring to doलोकसंग्रहम्the welfare/order of the world
Read literallyattached · in action · the ignorant · as · perform · O Bharata · should perform · the wise · likewise · without attachment · desiring to do · the welfare/order of the world
Understanding the verse
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It shifts action from self-serving ambition to responsible participation for the good of others.
A wise person should keep acting, but without clinging to the results. The point is to support the world, not feed ego.
02
On the battlefield
Context & commentary
On the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Arjuna is frozen while Krishna explains how action should continue. Even the wise must work, not for personal gain, but to keep the world in order and guide others by example.
03
In your life
Why this verse still matters
You’re the senior person in a room full of anxious newcomers, and everyone is watching how you handle the pressure. Stay active, stay steady, and let your example carry the room.
The takeaway
“You can stay fully engaged without getting trapped by craving recognition or payoff.”
A wise person should keep acting, but without clinging to the results. The point is to support the world, not feed ego.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 3.25?
Krishna speaks this verse, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, in the chapter titled "Karma Yoga" (The Yoga of Action).
Which chapter of the Bhagavad Gita contains verse 3.25?
Verse 25 sits in Chapter 3 of the Bhagavad Gita — Karma Yoga, "The Yoga of Action". The chapter has 43 verses in total.
Why does Bhagavad Gita 3.25 matter today?
You’re the senior person in a room full of anxious newcomers, and everyone is watching how you handle the pressure. Stay active, stay steady, and let your example carry the room.
It shifts action from self-serving ambition to responsible participation for the good of others.
What this verse means
A wise person should keep acting, but without clinging to the results. The point is to support the world, not feed ego.
Context & commentary
On the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Arjuna is frozen while Krishna explains how action should continue. Even the wise must work, not for personal gain, but to keep the world in order and guide others by example.
Why this verse still matters
You’re the senior person in a room full of anxious newcomers, and everyone is watching how you handle the pressure. Stay active, stay steady, and let your example carry the room.
“You can stay fully engaged without getting trapped by craving recognition or payoff.”