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Chapter 3 · Karma-yoga · 43 verses

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Duty & actionChapter 3 · Karma-yoga
3.213.23

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 3.22

Exemplary action and leadership by example

न मे पार्थास्ति कर्तव्यं त्रिषु लोकेषु किञ्चन ।

नानवाप्त‍मवाप्त‍व्यं वर्त एव च कर्मणि ॥ २२ ॥

na me pārthāsti kartavyaṁ

triṣu lokeṣu kiñcana

nānavāptam avāptavyaṁ

varta eva ca karmaṇi

Translation

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

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

What this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.

The Lord Still Performs Duties

  1. 1The Lord has no required work or anything to gain in the three planetary systems, yet He performs prescribed duties.
  2. 2Prabhupāda explains that Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Lord, complete in all riches and powers. No one is equal to or greater than Him.
  3. 3Although Kṛṣṇa is above scriptural rules, He never acts against them.

Where we are

In the story

Chapter 3, Karma-yoga: exemplary action and leadership by example.

What it teaches

Theme summary

Act dutifully without attachment to fruits.

2

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: karma, sva-dharma.

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Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 3.22 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to duty & action?

Practice

Do one task today purely because it is right.

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The story behind it

Mahābhārata episodes and stories from the purports that shed light on this verse.

All stories for chapter 3 ›
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Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 3.19Exemplary action and leadership by exampleBG 3.20Exemplary action and leadership by exampleBG 2.47Responsibility without ownership of outcomes

Study notes are editorial summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport.

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Ask about BG 3.22 — get a simple answer linked to related ideas and verses.

Back to step 3The key ideasNext · Step 5 of 7 · 5 minLive the teachingsBring it into your day with a practice and a question, straight from Prabhupāda's purports.