Chapter 3, Verse 8
Karma Yoga — Sanskrit shloka, transliteration, word meanings, English translation, and commentary.
Original Sanskrit verse
Transliteration
Word meanings
niyatam—constantly; kuru—perform; karma—Vedic duties; tvam—you; karma—action; jyāyaḥ—superior; hi—certainly; akarmaṇaḥ—than inaction; śharīra—bodily; yātrā—maintenance; api—even; cha—and; te—your; na prasiddhyet—would not be possible; akarmaṇaḥ—inaction
English translation
Perform your bounden duty, for action is superior to inaction, and even the maintenance of the body would not be possible for you through inaction.
— Swami Sivananda
Listen to Shloka 3.8
Commentary
Niyatam Karma is an obligatory duty which one is bound to perform. Thenonperformance of the bounden duties causes demerit. The performance of the obligatory duties is not a means for the attainment of a specific result. The performance does not cause any merit. Living itself involves several natural and unavoidable actions which have to be performed by all. It is ignorance to say; I can live doing nothing.
Commentary by Swami Sivananda
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