yas tv indriyani manasa
niyamyarabhate ’rjuna। karmendriyaih karma-yogam asaktah sa visisyate॥ 3.7 |
On the other hand, if a sincere person tries to control the active senses by the mind and begins karma-yoga without attachment, he is by far superior.
niyatam kuru karma tvam
karma jyayo hy akarmanah:। sarira-yatrapi cha te na prasiddhyed akarmanah:॥ 3.8 |
Perform your prescribed duty, for doing so is better than not working. One cannot even maintain one’s physical body without work.
yajnarthat karmano ’nyatra
loko ’yam karma-bandhanah:। tad-artham karma kaunteya mukta-sangah samachara॥ 3.9 |
Work done as a sacrifice for Vishnu has to be performed, otherwise work causes bondage in this material world. Therefore, O Arjuna, perform your prescribed duties for His satisfaction, and in that way you will always remain free from bondage.
saha-yajnah prajah srstva
purovacha prajapatih:। anena prasavisyadhvam esa vo ’stv ista-kama-dhuk॥ 3.10 |
In the beginning of creation, the Lord of all creatures sent forth generations of men and demigods, along with sacrifices for Vishnu, and blessed them by saying, “You be happy by this sacrifice because its performance will bestow upon you everything desirable for living happily and achieving liberation.
devan bhavayatanena
te deva bhavayantu vah:। parasparam bhavayantah sreyah param avapsyatha॥ 3.11 |
The demigods, being pleased by sacrifices, will also please you, and thus, by cooperation between men and demigods, prosperity will reign for all.
istan bhogan hi vo deva
dasyante yajna-bhavitah:। tair dattan apradayaibhyo yo bhunkte stena eva sah:॥ 3.12 |
In charge of the various necessities of life, the demigods, being satisfied by the performance of sacrifice, will supply all necessities to you. But he who enjoys such gifts without offering them to the demigods in return is certainly a thief.