Illustration for Bhagavad Gita chapter 3 verse 5
Chapter 3 · Karma Yoga

Action Is Unavoidable · Built Into Existence

ॐ

न हि कश्चित्क्षणमपि जातु तिष्ठत्यकर्मकृत् । कार्यते ह्यवशः कर्म सर्वः प्रकृतिजैर्गुणैः ।।5।।

na hi kaścit kṣaṇam api jātu tiṣṭhaty akarma-kṛt kāryate hy avaśaḥ karma sarvaḥ prakṛti-jair guṇaiḥ

Meaning

"No one can remain without action even for a moment; everyone is inevitably driven to act by the qualities born of material nature."

Explanation

Krishna points out a simple, unavoidable truth: action is built into existence itself.

Today's Life Lesson

Since you'll act regardless, choose today to act with awareness rather than resist acting at all.

More verses to reflect on

Bhagavad Gita 3.5 — Action Is Unavoidable · Built Into Existence | Omrat