Chapter 3, Verse 18 (Bhagavad Gita 3.18)
Chapter 3: Karm Yog – Path of Selfless Service
Sanskrit Shloka
नैव तस्य कृतेनार्थो नाकृतेनेह कश्चन। न चास्य सर्वभूतेषु कश्िचदर्थव्यपाश्रयः
Transliteration
naiva tasya kṛitenārtho nākṛiteneha kaśhchana na chāsya sarva-bhūteṣhu kaśhchid artha-vyapāśhrayaḥ
Word Meanings
na—not; eva—indeed; tasya—his; kṛitena—by discharge of duty; arthaḥ—gain; na—not; akṛitena—without discharge of duty; iha—here; kaśhchana—whatsoever; na—never; cha—and; asya—of that person; sarva-bhūteṣhu—among all living beings; kaśhchit—any; artha—necessity; vyapāśhrayaḥ—to depend upon
Translation
For the self-realized soul, there is no purpose in performing actions, nor is there any gain in abstaining from them; he has no need to depend on any living being for his fulfillment.
Meaning & Commentary
This verse describes the state of a Jivanmukta, one who has attained self-realization and is established in the absolute truth. Such a person is no longer motivated by personal desire, fear, or duty, as their actions flow spontaneously from the Divine rather than from egoic compulsion. By transcending the duality of 'doing' and 'not doing,' they experience total independence, finding complete fullness within their own consciousness. Consequently, they cease to rely on the external world or other beings for validation, happiness, or survival. This represents the ultimate liberation of the human spirit, where one lives in total surrender and harmony with the cosmic order.