Bhagavad Gita Chapter 3
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 3 – Divine Summary
In Bhagavad Gita Chapter 3, Verses 1–2, Arjun asks: “O Janardan! If you consider wisdom (knowledge) superior to action, then why are you confusing me by encouraging action? Please give me clear guidance by which my welfare may be ensured. Your statements appear contradictory and double-sided, and they are confusing my intellect.”
Description of Non-Scriptural Worship (Arbitrary Practices)
In Bhagavad Gita Chapter 3, Verses 3–8, the Lord explains: “O sinless Arjun! In this world, the wise consider knowledge superior, while yogis emphasize Karma Yoga. Yet no one can remain without performing action even for a moment. One cannot attain freedom from action merely by renouncing action.”
Meaning of Non-Action (Nishkarmata) – Verse 4
The essence of non-action is explained through an example: If a person has to harvest a fully ripened wheat crop spread over one acre, the work is completed only by actually harvesting it. Once the task is completed, no work remains—this is non-action. Similarly, by beginning devotion according to scriptural injunctions, the task of attaining God is completed. Only after this completion does non-action arise. If devotional action is not performed, the three-guna Maya (Rajgun Brahma, Satgun Vishnu, Tamgun Shiva) forcibly engages the soul in useless activities.
By nature, the three gunas arising from Maya compel living beings to perform actions—such as gambling, consuming alcohol or intoxicants, theft, fraud, adultery, and sinful acts committed for excessive wealth like adulteration and deceit. Until a human being (man or woman) accepts a Complete Guru, their condition is like a boat without a ferryman, tossed about by wind, waves, and currents, ultimately getting destroyed in whirlpools.
When a person comes under the refuge of a Complete Satguru, the soul becomes like a boat guided by a skilled ferryman. The Satguru steers the soul safely across the ocean of existence. Those who lack a Complete Guru and forcibly restrain their organs of action while sitting rigidly for meditation appear externally absorbed in samadhi, but their minds remain influenced by sensory impulses. Such people are hypocrites. Devotion cannot be achieved merely by renouncing action.
Therefore, one should continue performing prescribed duties and, through knowledge, engage the mind and senses in righteous actions. Performing duties as described in the scriptures is superior. If one abandons worldly duties entirely, how will one sustain life and family?
Benefit of Selfless Scriptural Action – Verse 9
In Chapter 3, Verse 9, it is stated that selfless religious actions (yagya) performed according to scripture are beneficial. Yagya means religious observances such as the five yagyas and chanting of God’s name. Those who indulge in gambling, alcohol, tobacco, meat consumption, watching immoral entertainment, slander, adultery, etc., become bound by karma. Therefore, perform only those duties prescribed in scripture for the sake of God.
Special Note: In Gita Chapter 3, Verses 6–9, rigid Hatha Yoga—sitting alone in isolation, forcibly closing eyes and ears—is prohibited. Instead, devotion according to scriptural methods is praised. All sacred texts prescribe remembrance of God and performance of yagyas while continuing worldly duties.
Scriptural Proof from Chapter 8
Gita Chapter 8 Verse 13 states that the speaker of the Gita (Brahm) has only one mantra—Om (ॐ). One who chants it while performing actions until the final breath attains the highest state associated with Brahm.
Gita Chapter 8 Verse 7 states: “Remember Me at all times and perform your duty (fight).” Thus, worship should be practiced alongside worldly duties.
Although the Gita speaker later declares his own attainment as inferior (Gita 7:18), the method of Brahm worship remains this.
Then, in Gita Chapter 8 Verses 8–10, the Gita speaker instructs worship of Param Akshar Brahm (the Supreme Complete God) mentioned in Gita 8:3, whose description is also given in Gita 18:62 and Gita 15:1, 4, and 17. The rule is the same: a seeker who receives instruction from a Tatvadarshi Saint, chants the divine names while performing worldly duties, and leaves the body in this practice attains that Supreme Divine Being alone.
The indication of a Tatvadarshi Saint is given in Gita Chapter 4 Verse 34, and their identification is described in Gita Chapter 15 Verse 1. The same evidence appears in Yajurveda Chapter 40 Mantras 10 and 13.
Meaning of Yajurveda Chapter 40 Mantra 10
The speaker of the Vedas (Brahm) states that some people say the Supreme God takes incarnation in form, while others say He is formless and never incarnates. Only Dheeranam (Tatvadarshi Saints) can reveal the true knowledge of the Supreme God—what His form is and how He manifests. Even Brahm admits he does not fully know Him.
Yet in Yajurveda Chapter 40 Mantra 15, Brahm instructs devotion to himself through chanting Om (ॐ) while performing duties. This grants temporary immortality—leading to Brahmlok or higher heavens—but eventually results in rebirth.
Yagyas Give Worldly Benefits, Not Liberation
In Gita Chapter 3 Verse 10, Prajapati states that at the beginning of creation, people were instructed to perform yagyas. These grant worldly enjoyments, not liberation. Just as a seed requires water and fertilizer to grow, similarly, after receiving the seed of Naam from a Complete Guru, the soul requires nourishment through the five yagyas:
- Dharma Yagya
- Havan Yagya
- Dhyan Yagya
- Pranam Yagya
- Gyan Yagya
A seeker who receives Naam from a Complete Guru, follows Guru discipline, and practices Naam continuously until the final moment attains their destined eternal realm. While living, they also receive abundant worldly benefits from yagyas. The deity established in the yagya (the Supreme God) grants these fruits, as stated in Gita Chapter 3 Verses 14–15.
Those Who Do Not Perform Dharma Are Thieves and Sinners
Gita Chapter 3 Verse 12 explains that deities nourished through yagyas grant desired pleasures without being asked. One who enjoys wealth without sharing it through charity and dharma is called a thief of God.
Gita Chapter 3 Verse 13 further explains that those who partake of food after offering it to the Supreme God and distributing it through communal service are freed from sins. Those who do not perform yagyas are sinners and thieves.
The proper practice is to first offer food to the Supreme God, then distribute it as sacred offering (langar or bhandara). Eating food sanctified by God’s offering destroys certain sins. By following all devotional practices as instructed by a Complete Saint, the seeker ultimately attains complete liberation.