Chapter 3, Verse 23
Karma Yoga — Sanskrit shloka, transliteration, word meanings, English translation, and commentary.
Original Sanskrit verse
Transliteration
Word meanings
yadi—if; hi—certainly; aham—I; na—not; varteyam—thus engage; jātu—ever; karmaṇi—in the performance of prescribed duties; atandritaḥ—carefully; mama—my; vartma—path; anuvartante—follow; manuṣhyāḥ—all men; pārtha—Arjun, the son of Pritha; sarvaśhaḥ—in all respects
English translation
For, should I not ever engage myself in action, unwearied, people would in every way follow my path, O Arjuna.
— Swami Sivananda
Listen to Shloka 3.23
Commentary
If I remain inactive; people also will imitate Me and keep iet. They will all become Tamasic and pass into a state of inertia.
Commentary by Swami Sivananda
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