Verse-5
Chapter 3 — Karma Yoga
Verse 5
🕉 Original Sanskrit Shloka
na hi kaścitkṣaṇamapi jātu tiṣṭhatyakarmakṛt
kāryate hyavaśaḥ karma sarvaḥ prakṛtijairguṇaiḥ
🕉 English Translation
📜 Translation
English
Undoubtedly, no human being can at any time not even for a moment remain without performing an action, because the entire human creation is compelled by subjection to attributes originating from nature (prakriti) to engage in action helplessly.
Observe with care the profundity of the words along with the clarity of states described in the Gita. There is nothing left to comment on. No human being (kaschid) can at any point of time or state (jaatuhuh) not even for a moment (shanmapi) can renounce action. All the words are used together. The renunciation of any form of action is not possible anywhere, anytime for anyone.
Eating–drinking, sleeping–waking, seeing-speaking, smelling-hearing will carry on in any case. These activities will continue even for the devotee, the man of knowledge, for those transcending the three attributes of nature. (sattva, rajas, tamas) even if there is no subjugation to nature (prakriti). In ordinary state 'avashah' status is there (i.e. helpless subjugation to nature). The human being is under compulsion and subjugation to perform actions in accordance with the inner nature and attributes and past impressions. So long as there is effect of any of the three attributes in a lesser or greater quantity till then actions are bound to happen.
Even for a moment one cannot remain without actions. The incoming and outgoing breath, digestive power, blood circulation, heart beat–can ever be stopped even for a moment. If it happens, you can well imagine the consequences. In any state, i.e. waking, dream and sleep–in all these states actions are constantly happening. Majority of the works are those which are not being done but are taking place naturally. If this truth is accepted in conduct then the matter will be understood in right perspective. Do not associate yourself with the arrogance of the doership of action but take it as that the actions have to happen and are happening; neither there should be the pride of renunciation nor egoistic intellect.