Karma Yoga
The path of selfless action is explained. Krishna teaches that disciplined action without attachment to results leads to spiritual liberation.
Yad yad acarati shresthas tat tad evetaro janah, sa yat pramanam kurute lokas tad anuvartate
Whatever action a great person performs, common people follow. And whatever standards they set by exemplary acts, all the world pursues.
Prakriteh kriyamanani gunaih karmani sarvashah, ahankara-vimudhatma kartaham iti manyate
The spirit soul bewildered by the influence of false ego thinks himself the doer of activities that are in actuality carried out by the three modes of material nature.
Shreyan sva-dharmo vigunah para-dharmat sv-anushthitat, sva-dharme nidhanam shreyah para-dharmo bhayavahah
It is far better to discharge one's prescribed duties, even though faultily, than another's duties perfectly. Better to die performing one's own duty than adopt another's, for that is dangerous.
Na hi kashcit kshanam api jatu tishthaty akarma-krit, karyate hy avashah karma sarvah prakriti-jair gunaih
No one can remain without action even for a moment. Indeed, all beings are compelled to act by their qualities born of material nature.
Niyatam kuru karma tvam karma jyayo hy akarmanah, sharira-yatrapi ca te na prasiddhyed akarmanah
You should thus perform your prescribed Vedic duties, since action is superior to inaction. By ceasing activity, even your bodily maintenance will not be possible.
Yajna-shishtashinah santo mucyante sarva-kilbishaih, bhunjate te tv agham papa ye pacanty atma-karanat
The spiritually-minded, who eat food that is first offered in sacrifice, are released from all kinds of sin. Others, who cook food for their own enjoyment, verily eat only sin.
Evam pravartitam chakram nanuvartayatiha yah, aghayur indriyaramo mogham partha sa jivati
O Arjuna, those who do not follow the cycle of sacrifice thus set forth, but revel in sense pleasures, lead a sinful life of no purpose.
Arjuna uvaca: Atha kena prayukto 'yam papam charati purushah, anicchann api varshneya balad iva niyojitah
Arjuna said: O Krishna, what is it that drives a person to commit sin, even unwillingly, as if by force?
Shri bhagavan uvaca: Kama esha krodha esha rajo-guna-samudbhavah, mahasano maha-papma viddhy enam iha vairinam
The Supreme Lord said: It is lust and anger, born of the mode of passion, that compel one to sin. They are the all-devouring, sinful enemies in this world.
Indriyani parany ahur indriyebhyah param manah, manasas tu para buddhir yo buddheh paratas tu sah
The senses are superior to the gross body, the mind is superior to the senses, the intellect is superior to the mind, and the soul is superior to the intellect.
Yajna-arthat karmano 'nyatra loko 'yam karma-bandhanah, tad-artham karma kaunteya mukta-sangah samachara
Work must be done as a sacrifice to the Supreme; otherwise work causes bondage in this material world. Therefore, O son of Kunti, perform your duties for His satisfaction, and you will be free from bondage.
Tasmad asaktah satatam karyam karma samachara, asakto hy acharan karma param apnoti purushah
Therefore, without attachment, constantly perform action which is duty, for by performing action without attachment, one attains the Supreme.
Evam buddheh param buddhva samstabhyatmanam atmana, jahi shatrum maha-baho kama-rupam durasadam
Thus knowing the soul to be superior to the material intellect, O mighty-armed Arjuna, subdue the self by the self and conquer lust, the formidable enemy.