Bhagavad Gita Chapter 3, Verse 23

English Translation

For, O Partha, if at any time I do not continue [Ast. and A.A. read varteya instead of varteyam.-Tr.] vigilantly in action, men will follow My path in ever way.

Detailed Commentary

।।3.23।। Explanation -- In the previous verse, Bhagavān (the Lord) had explained the necessity of performing one's *kartavya* (duty), and now He describes the harm that arises from not fulfilling it. 'If I were not to engage, ever, in action with unwearied zeal' (*yadi hyahaṁ na varteyaṁ jātu karmaṇyatandritaḥ*)—Bhagavān states that He performs *karma* (action) with vigilance, but 'suppose I were not to act'. *'Atandritaḥ'* means to avoid lethargy and *pramāda* (heedlessness) while performing one's *kartavya* and to do it with promptness. If one is not careful, one loses this invaluable life to idleness. 'Humans, O Pārtha, follow My path in every way' (*mama vartmānuvartante manuṣyāḥ Pārtha sarvaśaḥ*)—Bhagavān declares that only those who follow His path are worthy of being called true human beings (*manuṣyāḥ*). Those who do not perform their *kartavya* out of laziness are humans in name only. 'These worlds would perish if I did not perform *karma*' (*utsīdeyurime lokā na kuryāṁ karma cedaham*)—If I do not perform *kartavya*, humanity will fall into degradation. This is because the abandonment of *kartavya* brings forth *tāmasika bhāva* (qualities of inertia/ignorance) in them. Bhagavān states that there should be no attachment to non-action. He Himself performs *karma*, even though there is nothing for Him to gain. If Bhagavān does not fulfill His *kartavya*, no one else will. This will lead to degradation. 'And I would be the creator of confusion (*saṅkarasya ca kartā syām*), and I would destroy these beings (*upahanyāmimāḥ prajāḥ*)'—If I do not perform *kartavya*, all *loka* (worlds/people) will be destroyed. In the first chapter, Arjuna had stated that fighting would lead to the destruction of the family (*kula*). Here, Bhagavān states the opposite: that non-performance of *kartavya* will give rise to *saṅkara* (confusion/intermixture). If I do not perform *kartavya*, there will be an intermixture (*saṅkara*) in *dharma* (righteousness/duty), *jāti* (lineage/social order), etc. The implication is that *saṅkara* arises precisely from the non-performance of *kartavya*. Bhagavān tells Arjuna that He Himself performs *karma*, even though there is no *kartavya* for Him. Bhagavān indicates to Arjuna that just as He is fulfilling His *kartavya*, so too should Arjuna fulfill his. 'I am the *Rathi* (chariot-rider) and you become the *Sārathi* (charioteer)'—this teaches that one must diligently fulfill one's *kartavya*. Connection — In the preceding three verses, Bhagavān described His own diligent performance of *karma*; now He inspires the wise great souls (*jñānī mahāpuruṣa*) to perform *karma* with similar care.