BG 3.5
न हि कश्चित्क्षणमपि जातु तिष्ठत्यकर्मकृत्
No one can remain even for a moment without performing action.
Chapter 3 of 18 · 43 verses · Karma Yoga
कर्मयोग
The Yoga of Action
Karma-yoga
Theme: Selfless action, lokasangraha
Speaker: Krishna
Chapter summary
Krishna rebuts the idea that renunciation means inaction. No one can remain even for a moment without acting. Right action performed as yajna (sacrifice), without attachment, purifies and liberates. The wise act for the welfare of all (lokasangraha), as Janaka did.
Key verses
BG 3.21
यद्यदाचरति श्रेष्ठस्तत्तदेवेतरो जनः
Whatever a great person does, others follow.
Central takeaway
Action is unavoidable. Make every action a selfless offering.
Jump to chapter
1. Arjuna's Despair2. The Yoga of Knowledge3. The Yoga of Action4. The Yoga of Knowledge & Renunciation of Action5. The Yoga of Renunciation of Action6. The Yoga of Self-Restraint / Meditation7. The Yoga of Knowledge & Realization8. The Yoga of the Imperishable Brahman9. The Royal Knowledge, The Royal Secret10. The Yoga of Divine Manifestations11. The Yoga of the Vision of the Universal Form12. The Yoga of Devotion13. The Yoga of the Field and the Knower of the Field14. The Yoga of the Three Gunas15. The Yoga of the Supreme Person16. The Yoga of the Divine & Demoniac Natures17. The Yoga of the Threefold Faith18. The Yoga of Liberation by Renunciation