Bhagavad Gita 3.15 — Action, Scripture and the All-Pervading Divine Rooted in Sacrifice
कर्म ब्रह्मोद्भवं विद्धि ब्रह्माक्षरसमुद्भवम् ।
तस्मात्सर्वगतं ब्रह्म नित्यं यज्ञे प्रतिष्ठितम् ॥ ३.१५ ॥
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Know that action arises from the Vedas, and the Vedas are manifested from the Imperishable (God). Therefore, the all-pervading Brahman is eternally established in sacrifice.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| karma | action, prescribed duty |
| brahmodbhavam | originating from the Vedas |
| viddhi | know |
| brahma | the Vedas, the sacred knowledge |
| akṣharasamudbhavam | manifested from the Imperishable (God) |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| tasmāt | therefore |
| sarvagatam | all-pervading |
| brahma | Brahman, the Supreme Reality |
| nityam | eternally |
| yajñe | in sacrifice |
| pratiṣhṭhitam | established, present |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| karma | action, prescribed duty | tasmāt | therefore |
| brahmodbhavam | originating from the Vedas | sarvagatam | all-pervading |
| viddhi | know | brahma | Brahman, the Supreme Reality |
| brahma | the Vedas, the sacred knowledge | nityam | eternally |
| akṣharasamudbhavam | manifested from the Imperishable (God) | yajñe | in sacrifice |
| pratiṣhṭhitam | established, present | ||
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
In this verse, Lord Krishna completes the chain begun in the previous verse by tracing action back to its ultimate source. Karma arises from the Veda, the Veda from the Imperishable, and therefore the all-pervading Brahman is ever established in yajña. Work done in the right spirit is thus connected with the Divine itself.
Essence
From action to the Absolute
Lord Krishna says: "Know that karma arises from Brahma (the Veda), and Brahma arises from the Akṣara (the Imperishable). Therefore, the all-pervading Brahman is always established in yajña."
Brahmodbhavam (born of the Veda): The Veda, here understood as sacred knowledge, instructs human beings in what action is righteous and how to perform it as an offering. Dutiful action is not random; it is guided by a higher wisdom.
Akṣara (the Imperishable): This refers to the Supreme Reality, which never changes or decays. The Veda is said to arise from It, as the breath arises from a living being. In this way, the knowledge that guides our actions has its roots in the Divine.
Sarva-gataṁ brahma (the all-pervading Brahman): The Supreme is present everywhere, but It is especially "established" in yajña, meaning that selfless, dedicated action is where the Divine is most readily experienced by the doer.
The complete picture
With this verse, a full vision emerges. The Imperishable gives rise to sacred knowledge; that knowledge directs right action; right action becomes yajña; yajña brings rain and food; food sustains beings. Life is a single connected whole, and every honest action is a thread in it.
The message to Arjuna is clear: duty performed as an offering is not a lowly worldly activity. It is a way of participating in the divine order and of meeting the Divine within it.
Message for Everyday Life (Seeing the Sacred in Ordinary Work)
We often divide life into "spiritual" moments and "worldly" ones. This verse dissolves that division. Work done sincerely, ethically and as an offering is itself a doorway to the Divine.
A practical shift: Begin your work with a brief moment of dedication. Treat your tasks as a form of service, and notice how even routine duties acquire depth and calm.
From action to the Absolute
Lord Krishna says: "Know that karma arises from Brahma (the Veda), and Brahma arises from the Akṣara (the Imperishable). Therefore, the all-pervading Brahman is always established in yajña."
Brahmodbhavam (born of the Veda): The Veda, here understood as sacred knowledge, instructs human beings in what action is righteous and how to perform it as an offering. Dutiful action is not random; it is guided by a higher wisdom.
Akṣara (the Imperishable): This refers to the Supreme Reality, which never changes or decays. The Veda is said to arise from It, as the breath arises from a living being. In this way, the knowledge that guides our actions has its roots in the Divine.
Sarva-gataṁ brahma (the all-pervading Brahman): The Supreme is present everywhere, but It is especially "established" in yajña, meaning that selfless, dedicated action is where the Divine is most readily experienced by the doer.
The complete picture
With this verse, a full vision emerges. The Imperishable gives rise to sacred knowledge; that knowledge directs right action; right action becomes yajña; yajña brings rain and food; food sustains beings. Life is a single connected whole, and every honest action is a thread in it.
The message to Arjuna is clear: duty performed as an offering is not a lowly worldly activity. It is a way of participating in the divine order and of meeting the Divine within it.
Message for Everyday Life (Seeing the Sacred in Ordinary Work)
We often divide life into "spiritual" moments and "worldly" ones. This verse dissolves that division. Work done sincerely, ethically and as an offering is itself a doorway to the Divine.
A practical shift: Begin your work with a brief moment of dedication. Treat your tasks as a form of service, and notice how even routine duties acquire depth and calm.
Next Topic
Lord Krishna has shown that the whole cosmic order rests on action performed as an offering. He now draws the consequence for the one who refuses to take part in this great cycle, and describes the emptiness of a life lived only for the senses.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
Every good action has a source beyond the actor.
Work offered with awareness is quietly holy.
Guidance from the wise is the map for right action.
The Divine is not far away; it is present in selfless effort.
Action, knowledge and the Source form one unbroken line.
Duty becomes light when it is seen as an offering.
Beneath every action lies something deeper than the action.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'Brahma' (the Vedas, sacred knowledge) mean in the first half of this verse?
What is meant by 'akṣhara' (the Imperishable)?
What does it mean that 'Brahma' (the Supreme Reality) is 'sarva-gata' (all-pervading) and established in 'yajña' (sacrifice)?
Is this verse only about ritual?
How does this verse support 'karma-yoga' (the yoga of selfless action)?
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