Bhagavad Gita Chapter 3, Verse 5

English Translation

Because, no one ever remains even for a moment without doing work. For all are made to work under compulsion by the gunas born of Nature.

Detailed Commentary

।।3.5।। **Explanation—** "Certainly, no one ever remains even for a moment without performing action" (*na hi kaścit kṣaṇam api jātu tiṣṭhaty akarmakṛt*). Whether one follows the path of *Karmayoga*, *Jñānayoga*, or *Bhaktiyoga*, no individual can remain without performing actions. The words 'for a moment' (*kṣaṇam*) and 'ever' (*jātu*) are significant. The Lord states that no individual, be they wise or ignorant, can remain without performing actions. A wise person (*jñānī*) has no particular identification with the body, yet actions continue to manifest through the body. The word 'for a moment' indicates that as long as a person identifies with the body, they cannot remain without action even for a single moment. 'Ever' implies that under no circumstances can a human being remain without action. The Lord states that a person is compelled to act due to being under the sway of *Prakṛti's Guṇas* (qualities). *Prakṛti* is in constant flux. A *sādhaka* (spiritual seeker) has nothing to do for themselves; they only need to perform whatever comes before them for the welfare of others. While striving for the realization of *Paramātmā* (the Supreme Self), one should not engage in forbidden actions (*niṣiddha karma*). According to the Gītā, mental activities are also *karma*. When an individual identifies with actions, they become 'karma' that leads to bondage. People mistakenly believe that business, employment, etc., are *karma*, while activities like sleeping or thinking are not. This is incorrect. All activities, whether pertaining to the gross, subtle, or causal body, are *karma*. As long as there is *ahaṁkāra* (ego) and *mamatā* (mineness, possessiveness) in the body, *karma* continues. "For everyone is helplessly made to act by the *Guṇas* born of *Prakṛti*" (*kāryate hy avaśaḥ karma sarvaḥ prakṛtijair guṇaiḥ*). A human being is under the sway of *Prakṛti*, and therefore, is compelled to act. The Self (*ātmā*) is inactive (*akriya*), but as long as it is associated with the *Guṇas* of *Prakṛti*, it remains in bondage. As long as the *jīva* (individual soul) does not experience *Paramātmā*, it remains under the influence of *Prakṛti's Guṇas*, time, nature, and so on. *Prakṛti* has both active and inactive states. In reality, even in its inactive state, *Prakṛti* remains active, just as sleep matures. *Prakṛti* is never truly inactive. The Self (*ātmā*) undergoes no change. All actions occur naturally. However, the *jīvātmā* (individual soul) becomes bound by identifying itself as the doer. *Prakṛti* is ever-changing, but the pure Self (*śuddha svarūpa*) never changes. *Prakṛti* has no independent existence. If a *sādhaka* understands that all actions are taking place within *Prakṛti* and that they have no connection with them, then they can become liberated (*mukta*). The Lord has also stated earlier that no one can completely renounce all actions if they identify with the body— "Indeed, it is not possible for an embodied being to completely renounce all actions" (*na hi dehabhṛtā śakyaṁ tyaktuṁ karmāṇyaśeṣataḥ*). **Connection—** In the previous verse, it was stated that no individual can remain without performing actions. A question might arise: Can a person become inactive by stopping the functions of the senses? The following verse is presented to answer this very question.