Bhagavad Gita 3.22 — Even the Lord Has No Duty Yet Continues to Act
न मे पार्थास्ति कर्तव्यं त्रिषु लोकेषु किञ्चन ।
नानवाप्तमवाप्तव्यं वर्त एव च कर्मणि ॥ ३.२२ ॥
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O Parth, there is no duty for Me to perform in all the three worlds, nor is there anything unobtained that I need to obtain. Yet I engage in action.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| na | not |
| me | for Me |
| pārtha | O Parth (Arjuna), son of Pritha |
| asti | there is |
| kartavyam | duty to be done |
| triṣhu | in the three |
| lokeṣhu | worlds |
| kiñchana | anything at all |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| na | nor |
| anavāptam | not obtained |
| avāptavyam | to be obtained |
| varte | I engage |
| eva | yet |
| cha | and |
| karmaṇi | in action |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| na | not | na | nor |
| me | for Me | anavāptam | not obtained |
| pārtha | O Parth (Arjuna), son of Pritha | avāptavyam | to be obtained |
| asti | there is | varte | I engage |
| kartavyam | duty to be done | eva | yet |
| triṣhu | in the three | cha | and |
| lokeṣhu | worlds | karmaṇi | in action |
| kiñchana | anything at all | ||
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
Here, Lord Krishna speaks of Himself. He says that in all the three worlds there is no duty for Him to perform and nothing unattained that He needs to attain, and yet He remains engaged in action. This is the supreme example for Arjuna.
Essence
The Lord who has nothing to gain, yet acts
Lord Krishna says: "O Pārtha, I have no duty whatsoever in the three worlds, nor is there anything unattained that I need to attain; yet I continue to engage in action."
Na me pārthāsti kartavyam (I have no obligation): No law binds the Lord. He is not required to work to earn anything or to fulfil any lack.
Nānavāptam avāptavyam (nothing unobtained to be obtained): He is complete. There is no wish unfulfilled, no object He needs, no status He seeks.
Varta eva ca karmaṇi (yet I remain engaged in action): In spite of this fullness, the Lord acts in creation, in sustaining the world, and in guiding beings. His actions flow from compassion and order, not from need.
The meaning of this example
This verse completes the argument against Arjuna's wish to withdraw. If even the Lord, who has no personal reason to act, chooses to act for the welfare of the world, how can Arjuna claim that action is beneath him?
It also shows what the highest kind of action looks like: action that arises from fullness rather than lack, from love rather than craving. This is the ideal toward which every Karma Yogi gradually moves.
Message for Everyday Life (Act From Fullness, Not From Lack)
Much of our work is driven by a sense of insufficiency: "I must prove myself," "I need more," "I cannot be at peace until I achieve this." Such action is exhausting.
A gentle reversal: Try to work from a place of gratitude and fullness, caring for what you do and for others rather than seeking to fill an inner gap. The quality of your work and of your peace will both improve.
The Lord who has nothing to gain, yet acts
Lord Krishna says: "O Pārtha, I have no duty whatsoever in the three worlds, nor is there anything unattained that I need to attain; yet I continue to engage in action."
Na me pārthāsti kartavyam (I have no obligation): No law binds the Lord. He is not required to work to earn anything or to fulfil any lack.
Nānavāptam avāptavyam (nothing unobtained to be obtained): He is complete. There is no wish unfulfilled, no object He needs, no status He seeks.
Varta eva ca karmaṇi (yet I remain engaged in action): In spite of this fullness, the Lord acts in creation, in sustaining the world, and in guiding beings. His actions flow from compassion and order, not from need.
The meaning of this example
This verse completes the argument against Arjuna's wish to withdraw. If even the Lord, who has no personal reason to act, chooses to act for the welfare of the world, how can Arjuna claim that action is beneath him?
It also shows what the highest kind of action looks like: action that arises from fullness rather than lack, from love rather than craving. This is the ideal toward which every Karma Yogi gradually moves.
Message for Everyday Life (Act From Fullness, Not From Lack)
Much of our work is driven by a sense of insufficiency: "I must prove myself," "I need more," "I cannot be at peace until I achieve this." Such action is exhausting.
A gentle reversal: Try to work from a place of gratitude and fullness, caring for what you do and for others rather than seeking to fill an inner gap. The quality of your work and of your peace will both improve.
Next Topic
Lord Krishna has pointed to His own tireless action as an example. In the next verse, He explains what would happen if He were ever to stop acting, and why even the Lord must be mindful of the example He sets.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
The complete person acts out of love, not out of lack.
Even those who need nothing should work for the sake of others.
Selfless work needs no reward to give it meaning.
Leaders who act without need teach more than those who act for gain.
Actions can come from care, not from craving.
To keep working when nothing is required is the mark of love.
Freedom from need is the root of generous action.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Krishna speak about Himself in this verse?
What does 'triṣhu lokeṣhu' (in the three worlds) mean?
What do 'anavāptam' (unattained) and 'avāptavyam' (to be attained) express?
If Krishna has nothing to gain, why does He act?
What does this verse teach ordinary people?
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