Nā me pārthāsti kartavyaṁ triṣu lokeṣu kiṅcana । Nānāpāptam avāptavyaṁ varta eva ca karmaṇi ॥
“For Me, there is nothing to accomplish in the three worlds, nor is there anything unattained; yet I engage in action.”
Structure
Nā - me - pārtha - asti - kartavyaṁ - triṣu - lokeṣu - kiṅcana - Nānā - apāptam - avāptavyaṁ - varta - eva - ca - karmaṇi
Nā asti (there is not) me (to Me) pārtha (O Arjuna) kartavyaṁ (anything to be done) kiṅcana (in any way) triṣu lokeṣu (in the three worlds) Nānā (whatever) apāptam (has not been obtained) avāptavyaṁ (is to be obtained) eva (alone) varta (I stand) ca (and) karmaṇi (in action)
Word-by-Word Grammar
| Word | IAST | Type | Grammar | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nā | Nā | indeclinable | — | not |
| me | me | pronoun | dative · singular | to me |
| pārtha | pārtha | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | son of Prthā (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 |
| kiṅcana | kiṅcana | indeclinable | — | anything |
| Nānā | Nānā | indeclinable | — | various, different |
| apāptam | apāptam | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | what has not been obtained |
| avāptavyaṁ | avāptavyaṁ | noun | accusative · singular · neuter | to be obtained |
| varta | varta | noun | nominative · singular · masculine | one's own |
| eva | eva | indeclinable | — | only, indeed |
| ca | ca | indeclinable | — | and |
| karmaṇi | karmaṇi | noun | locative · singular · masculine | in action |
Scholarly Commentary
Advaita Vedānta (Ādi Śaṅkarācārya): This verse underscores the concept of nishkama karma, or action without desire. According to Śaṅkarācārya, the Supreme Being has no personal desires or goals to achieve, yet engages in creation and sustenance out of its inherent nature. This action is not driven by a sense of lack or necessity, but rather by the fullness of its divine being. The Lord's engagement in action serves as a model for human beings, encouraging them to perform their duties without attachment to outcomes, and to cultivate a sense of detachment and inner freedom. In this context, the verse highlights the tension between the Absolute's transcendence and its immanence in the world, and invites the reader to contemplate the mystery of divine action.
Vaiṣṇava tradition (Rāmānujācārya / Madhvācārya): The Vaiṣṇava tradition interprets this verse in the context of the Lord's sovereignty and grace. Rāmānujācārya, for instance, sees the Lord's statement as an expression of his independence and self-sufficiency. The Lord has no need to achieve anything, as he is already the possessor of all perfection. However, out of his boundless mercy and love, he engages in creation and redemption, providing for the well-being of his devotees and guiding them towards their ultimate goal. Madhvācārya, on the other hand, emphasizes the Lord's distinction from the world and his creatures, highlighting the ontological gap between the divine and the human realms. In this reading, the verse underscores the Lord's freedom and initiative in relating to the world, and invites the devotee to respond with faith, love, and surrender.
Neo-Vedānta (Swami Vivekānanda / S. Rādhākrishnan): From a modern perspective, this verse can be seen as a statement of the inherent value of action, regardless of its consequences. Swami Vivekānanda, for example, interprets the verse as a call to selfless action, where the individual ego is transcended, and the action is performed for its own sake, rather than for personal gain or recognition. S. Rādhākrishnan, on the other hand, views the verse as an expression of the dialectical relationship between the Absolute and the relative, where the former is both transcendent and immanent. In this context, the verse invites the reader to contemplate the interplay between the divine and the human, and to explore the possibilities of realizing the Absolute in and through worldly action. This reading highlights the importance of integrating spiritual values into everyday life, and of cultivating a sense of awareness and mindfulness in all activities.