na me pārthāsti kartavyaṁ triṣu lokeṣu kiñcana। nānāpātāvidyataḥ sādhu tvād icchāmi vediṇaḥ ॥ 24 ॥
“I have no work to do in all the three worlds, O son of Prthā, nor is there anything unattained by Me; yet I engage in action desiring to instruct you about the right path.”
Structure
na me pārtha asti kartavyaṁ triṣu lokeṣu kiñcana nānā apāṭavidyataḥ sādhutvād icchāmi vediṇaḥ
na (no) asti (there is) me (my) pārtha (Arjuna) kartavyaṁ (duty) kiñcana (anything) triṣu lokeṣu (in the three worlds) nānā (various) apāṭavidyataḥ (from the ignorant) sādhutvāt (goodness) icchāmi (I desire) vediṇaḥ (of the knower)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| na | na | indeclinable | — | not |
| me | me | pronoun | dative · singular | to me |
| pārtha | pārtha | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | Arjuna |
| asti | asti | verb | √as · laṭ-present · third | there is |
| kartavyaṁ | kartavyaṁ | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | duty |
| triṣu | triṣu | indeclinable | — | in three |
| lokeṣu | lokeṣu | noun | locative · plural · masculine | worlds |
| kiñcana | kiñcana | indeclinable | — | anything |
| nānā | nānā | indeclinable | — | various, different |
| apāṭavidyataḥ | apāṭavidyataḥ | noun | ablative · singular · masculine | from those whose knowledge is imperfect |
| sādhu | sādhu | noun | ablative · singular · masculine | good, virtuous |
| tvād | tvād | pronoun | ablative · singular | from you |
| icchāmi | icchāmi | verb | √icch · laṭ-present · first | I desire |
| vediṇaḥ | vediṇaḥ | noun | accusative · plural · masculine | knowers of the Veda |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): In this verse, Śrī Kṛṣṇa states that He has no work to do in all three worlds, indicating His transcendence of worldly actions. Śaṅkarācārya, in his commentary on the Bhagavad Gītā, explains that this statement is meant to convey the non-dual nature of reality, where the ultimate reality, Brahman, is beyond all actions and their consequences. The phrase 'nānāpātavidyataḥ' (nor is there anything unattained by Me) reinforces this idea, suggesting that Brahman is already complete and perfect, lacking nothing. By engaging in action despite having no need to, Kṛṣṇa sets an example for humans to follow their svadharma, or prescribed duties, without attachment to the fruits of their labor, ultimately leading to the realization of the identity of the individual self (ātman) with the ultimate reality (Brahman). This verse thus points to the brahman-ātman identity, central to Advaita Vedānta, where the distinctions between the individual self and the universal self are transcended, revealing the non-dual nature of existence.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): This verse is pivotal in the Vaiṣṇava tradition, as it highlights the relationship between the jīva (individual soul) and Īśvara (the Supreme Lord). Rāmānujācārya interprets Kṛṣṇa's statement as an expression of His divine grace, where despite being fully self-sufficient and lacking nothing, He still engages in actions for the benefit of His devotees. The phrase 'icchāmi vediṇaḥ' (desiring to instruct you about the right path) underscores Kṛṣṇa's role as a teacher and guide, demonstrating His compassion and willingness to help the jīvas navigate the complexities of worldly life and ultimately achieve liberation. Madhvācārya, in his commentary, further emphasizes the distinction between the independent and dependent realities, with Kṛṣṇa representing the former and the jīvas the latter, thus this verse reinforces the devotional path, where the relationship between the jīva and Īśvara is one of dependence and surrender.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): Swami Vivekānanda, in his lectures and writings, often referenced this verse to illustrate the universal and practical application of the Bhagavad Gītā's teachings. He saw Kṛṣṇa's statement as a call to action, encouraging individuals to work selflessly and without attachment to the fruits of their labor, just as Kṛṣṇa does. This approach, Vivekānanda argued, leads to a life of purpose and fulfillment, where one's actions are guided by a sense of duty and responsibility rather than personal gain. S. Rādhākrishnan, in his philosophical works, further explored the implications of this verse for modern life, suggesting that it offers a vision of human existence where individuals can find meaning and direction by embracing their roles and responsibilities within society, and by working to contribute to the greater good, ultimately reflecting the universal and eternal principles enunciated in the Bhagavad Gītā.