Illustration for Bhagavad Gita chapter 3 verse 8
Chapter 3 · Karma Yoga

A Practical Truth · Action Sustains Life

नियतं कुरु कर्म त्वं कर्म ज्यायो ह्यकर्मणः । शरीरयात्रापि च ते न प्रसिद्ध्येदकर्मणः ।।8।।

niyataṃ kuru karma tvaṃ karma jyāyo hy akarmaṇaḥ śarīra-yātrāpi ca te na prasiddhyed akarmaṇaḥ

Meaning

"Perform your prescribed duty, for action is better than inaction. Even the maintenance of your body would not be possible without action."

Explanation

Krishna offers a simple, grounded reason to act — even basic survival depends on it.

Today's Life Lesson

Let today's ordinary responsibilities remind you that action itself is part of how life sustains itself.

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