The third chapter of the Bhagavad Gita is Karma Yoga or the Path of Selfless Service. Here Lord Krishna emphasizes the importance of karma in life. He reveals that it is important for every human being to engage in some sort of activity in this material world. Further, he describes the kinds of actions that lead to bondage and the kinds that lead to liberation. Those persons who continue to perform their respective duties externally for the pleasure of the Supreme, without attachment to its rewards get liberation at the end.
Arjuna said: O Janardana (Krsna), if it be Your opinion that wisdom is superior to action, why then, do you urge me to do horrible action, O Kesava?
OPEN VERSEYou bewilder my understanding, as it were, by a seemingly conflicting statement! Tell me for certain one of these by which I may attain the highest Good.
OPEN VERSEThe Blessed Lord said: O unblemished one, two kinds of steadfastness in this world were spoken of by Me in the days of yore-through the Yoga of Knowledge for the men of realization; through the Yoga of Action for the yogis.
OPEN VERSEA person does not attain freedom from action by abstaining from action; nor does he attain fulfilment merely through renunciation.
OPEN VERSEBecause, 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.
OPEN VERSEOne, who after withdrawing the organs of action, sits mentally recollecting the objects of the senses, that one, of deluded mind, is called a hypocrite.
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