Guided reading · 7 verses
Purpose, Duty, and Action
Seven verses on duty, right action, service, and surrender.
Start with BG 2.7
7
BG 2.7
कार्पण्यदोषोपहतस्वभावः पृच्छामि त्वां धर्मसम्मूढचेताः | यच्छ्रेयः स्यान्निश्चितं ब्रूहि तन्मे शिष्यस्तेऽहं शाधि मां त्वां प्रपन्नम् ||२-७||
My nature is overwhelmed by the weakness of helplessness, and my mind is confused about duty. I ask you: tell me decisively what is best. I am your pupil and have taken refuge in you; teach me.
31
BG 2.31
स्वधर्ममपि चावेक्ष्य न विकम्पितुमर्हसि | धर्म्याद्धि युद्धाच्छ्रेयोऽन्यत्क्षत्रियस्य न विद्यते ||२-३१||
Considering your own duty, too, you should not waver. For a kshatriya (warrior), nothing is better than a battle consistent with duty.
8
BG 3.8
नियतं कुरु कर्म त्वं कर्म ज्यायो ह्यकर्मणः | शरीरयात्रापि च ते न प्रसिद्ध्येदकर्मणः ||३-८||
Perform the action required of you. Action is better than inaction; without action you could not even maintain your body.
19
BG 3.19
तस्मादसक्तः सततं कार्यं कर्म समाचर | असक्तो ह्याचरन्कर्म परमाप्नोति पूरुषः ||३-१९||
Therefore keep performing the action that ought to be done, without attachment. Through unattached action a person reaches the highest.
30
BG 3.30
मयि सर्वाणि कर्माणि संन्यस्याध्यात्मचेतसा | निराशीर्निर्ममो भूत्वा युध्यस्व विगतज्वरः ||३-३०||
Entrust all actions to me, with your mind directed toward the self. Free from expectation and possessiveness, fight without inner fever.
47
BG 18.47
श्रेयान्स्वधर्मो विगुणः परधर्मात्स्वनुष्ठितात् | स्वभावनियतं कर्म कुर्वन्नाप्नोति किल्बिषम् ||१८-४७||
One's own duty, though imperfect, is better than another's duty done well. Performing work determined by one's nature, one does not incur fault.
66
BG 18.66
सर्वधर्मान्परित्यज्य मामेकं शरणं व्रज | अहं त्वा सर्वपापेभ्यो मोक्षयिष्यामि मा शुचः ||१८-६६||
Abandon all duties and take refuge in me alone. I will free you from all wrongdoing; do not grieve.