Chapter 3, Verse 3 (Bhagavad Gita 3.3)
Chapter 3: Karm Yog – Path of Selfless Service
Sanskrit Shloka
श्री भगवानुवाच लोकेऽस्मिन्द्विविधा निष्ठा पुरा प्रोक्ता मयानघ। ज्ञानयोगेन सांख्यानां कर्मयोगेन योगिनाम्
Transliteration
śhrī bhagavān uvācha loke’smin dvi-vidhā niṣhṭhā purā proktā mayānagha jñāna-yogena sāṅkhyānāṁ karma-yogena yoginām
Word Meanings
śhrī-bhagavān uvācha—the Blessed Lord said; loke—in the world; asmin—this; dvi-vidhā—two kinds of; niṣhṭhā—faith; purā—previously; proktā—explained; mayā—by me (Shree Krishna); anagha—sinless; jñāna-yogena—through the path of knowledge; sānkhyānām—for those inclined toward contemplation; karma-yogena—through the path of action; yoginām—of the yogis
Translation
The Blessed Lord said: O sinless one, I have already explained that in this world there is a twofold path of spiritual practice: the path of knowledge for the introspective and the path of action for the active.
Meaning & Commentary
This verse reveals that spiritual liberation is not confined to a single temperament; rather, the Divine recognizes the diversity of human nature. It validates both the path of deep philosophical contemplation and the path of selfless engagement with the world as legitimate spiritual pursuits. By addressing Arjuna as 'sinless one,' Krishna encourages us to shed our self-doubt and recognize that our inherent personality—whether contemplative or active—is merely a vehicle for truth. True spirituality is not about forcing oneself into an artificial mold, but about mastering one's natural inclination and dedicating it entirely to the Divine. Ultimately, this teaches us that balance and dedication in our chosen path lead to the same ultimate realization.