Bhagavad Gita 3.20 meaningWhy action matters
In simple wordsSo simple a child gets it
“Great kings found peace by working. Be an example to others.”
What it means
“Wise kings like Janaka reached perfection through action. Act also to set an example for the world.”
The original Sanskrit
कर्मणैव हि संसिद्धिमास्थिता जनकादयः । लोकसंग्रहमेवापि सम्पश्यन्कर्तुमर्हसि ॥
karmaṇaiva hi saṃsiddhimāsthitā janakādayaḥ lokasaṃgrahamevāpi sampaśyankartumarhasi
Translations
Literal translation
For Janaka and others strove to attain Liberation through action itself. You ought to perform (your duties) keeping also in view the prevention of mankind from going astray.
Swami Gambhirananda
हिंदी अनुवाद
जनकादि (ज्ञानी जन) भी कर्म द्वारा ही संसिद्धि को प्राप्त हुये लोक संग्रह (लोक रक्षण) को भी देखते हुये; तुम कर्म करने योग्य हो।
Swami Tejomayananda
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Commentaries
How great teachers across 1,200 years have explained this verse.
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Keep reading · 3.21“Whatever a leader does, others copy. Whatever standard they set, the world follows.”