न हि कश्िचत्क्षणमपि जातु तिष्ठत्यकर्मकृत् ।
कार्यते ह्यवशः कर्म सर्वः प्रकृतिजैर्गुणैः ॥
कार्यते ह्यवशः कर्म सर्वः प्रकृतिजैर्गुणैः ॥
Hindi · हिन्दी
कोई भी मनुष्य किसी भी अवस्थामें क्षणमात्र भी कर्म किये बिना नहीं रह सकता क्योंकि प्रकृतिके परवश हुए सब प्राणियोंसे प्रकृतिजन्य गुण कर्म कराते हैं ॥
English
No one can remain without action even for a moment. Everyone is driven to act by the qualities born of nature.
What this verse means
No one can stay inactive forever. The qualities of nature keep pushing every person into action.
Context & commentary
On the battlefield, Arjuna wants to withdraw from the war. Krishna answers by showing that complete inaction is impossible: even hesitation, avoidance, and refusal are also movements shaped by nature. This verse deepens the case for right action.
Why this verse still matters
You sit frozen with your phone in hand, avoiding the email that could change everything. Even that delay is a kind of action. The question is not whether you act, but what is steering you.
The takeaway
You are not failing by acting; action is part of being human.
Word-by-word translation
न हि (indeed not) / कश्चित् (anyone) / क्षणम् अपि (even for a moment) / जातु (ever) / तिष्ठति (remains) / अकर्मकृत् (one who does no action) / कार्यते (is made to act) / हि (indeed) / अवशः (helplessly) / कर्म (action) / सर्वः (everyone) / प्रकृतिजैः (born of nature) / गुणैः (by the qualities)
This verse is part of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 3: Karma Yoga — The Yoga of Action, which contains 43 verses.
Explore related themes: karma yoga (55 verses), gunas (47 verses), prakriti (31 verses)