Chapter 3, Verse 24 (Bhagavad Gita 3.24)
Chapter 3: Karm Yog – Path of Selfless Service
Sanskrit Shloka
उत्सीदेयुरिमे लोका न कुर्यां कर्म चेदहम्। सङ्करस्य च कर्ता स्यामुपहन्यामिमाः प्रजाः
Transliteration
utsīdeyur ime lokā na kuryāṁ karma ched aham sankarasya cha kartā syām upahanyām imāḥ prajāḥ
Word Meanings
utsīdeyuḥ—would perish; ime—all these; lokāḥ—worlds; na—not; kuryām—I perform; karma—prescribed duties; chet—if; aham—I; sankarasya—of uncultured population; cha—and; kartā—responsible; syām—would be; upahanyām—would destroy; imāḥ—all these; prajāḥ—living entities
Translation
If I were to cease from action, these worlds would perish; I would be the cause of social chaos and the destroyer of all living beings.
Meaning & Commentary
This verse reveals that even the Divine acts as a role model for the functioning of the universe, illustrating that existence itself is maintained through purposeful engagement. It teaches that inaction is not merely a personal choice but a potential disruption to the collective harmony of the world. Spiritually, it highlights the duty of the enlightened soul to uphold dharma through action, ensuring that their presence contributes to order rather than entropy. By choosing to act, one sustains the cosmic balance and validates the necessity of duty in human life, transforming mundane chores into sacred service.