19 Powerful Karma Quotes from Śrimad Bhagvad Gita in English
From Chapter 2
- Arjuna, this attitude of mind has been presented to you from the point of view of jñāna yoga ; now hear the same presented from the standpoint of Karma yoga (the yoga of selfless action). Equipped with this attitude of mind, you will be able to throw off completely the shackles of karma. |39|
- Arjuna, in this yoga (of selfless action) the intellect is determined and directed singly towards one ideal; whereas the intellect of the undecided (ignorant men moved by desires) wanders in all directions after innumerable aims. |41|
From Chapter 3
- Arjuna said : Janardan (Krishna), If You consider knowledge as superior to action, why then do to urge me to this dreadful action, Keśva ! |1|
- Man does not attain freedom from action (culmination of the discipline of action) without entering upon action; nor does he reach perfection (culmination of the discipline of knowledge) merely by ceasing to act. |4|
- Surely, none can ever remain inactive even for a moment, for, everyone is helplessly driven to action by modes of nature. |5|
- He who outwardly restraining the organs of sense and action, sits mentally dwelling on the objects of senses, that man of deluded intellect is called a hypocrite. |6|
- On the other hand, he who controlling the organs of sense and action by the power of his will, and remaining unattached, undertakes the Yoga of selfless action through those organs, Arjuna, excels. |7|
- Therefore, perform your allotted duty; for action is superior to inaction.Desisting from action, you cannot maintain your body. |8|
- Man is bound by his own action, except when it is performed for the sake of sacrifice. Therefore, Arjuna, efficiently perform your duty, free from attachment, for the sake of sacrifice alone. |9|
- He, however, who takes delight in the self alone and is gratified with the self, and is contended in the self, has no duty. |17|
- In this world, that great soul has nothing to gain by action, nor by abstaining from action; nor has he selfish dependence of any kind on any creature. |18|
- Therefore, go on efficiently doing your duty at all times without attachment. Doing work without attachment, man, attains the Supreme. |19|
- It is through action without attachment alone that Janaka and other wise men reached perfection.Having in view the maintenance of the world order too, you should take to action.|20|
- Arjuna, there is no duty in all the three worlds for me to perform, nor is there anything worth attaining, unattainable by me; yet I continue to work. |22|
- Should I not engage in action scrupulously at any time, great harm will come to the world; for, Arjuna, men follow My way in all matters. |23|
- If I ever cease to act, these worlds would perish; nay, I should prove to be the cause of confusion, and of the destruction of these people. |24|
- Arjuna, as the unwise act with attachment, so should the wise man, with a view to maintain the order, act without attachment. |25|
- Therefore, dedicating all actions to Me with your mind fixed on Me, the Self of all, freed from desire, and the feeling of affection and cured of mental agitation, fight. |30|
- Even those men who, with an unavailing and devout mind, always follow this teaching of Mine, are released from the bondage of all actions. |31|
