Chapter 3, Verse 25
सक्ता: कर्मण्यविद्वांसो यथा कुर्वन्ति भारत | कुर्याद्विद्वांस्तथासक्तश्चिकीर्षुर्लोकसंग्रहम् ॥25॥
saktāḥ karmaṇy avidvāṃso yathā kurvanti bhārata |
kuryād vidvāṃs tathāsaktaś cikīrṣur loka-saṅgraham ||
"O scion of the Bharata dynasty, as the unenlightened people act with attachment to work, so should the enlightened person act, without attachment, being desirous of the prevention of people from going astray."
Key Insight:
The Bhagavad Gita teaches us through 3.25 that true peace is found when we align our actions with Dharma.
The Bhagavad Gita teaches us through 3.25 that true peace is found when we align our actions with Dharma.
Detailed Meaning
Lord Krishna explains the difference in motivation between the wise (Vidvān) and the ignorant (Avidvān). While the ignorant work out of personal attachment and desire for rewards, the wise person works with the same level of commitment and vigor, but with a selfless motive: Loka-saṅgraham, or the maintenance and welfare of the world. The wise serve as role models; if they were to abandon action, the masses would follow suit, leading to social and moral decay. Therefore, detachment (Asaktaḥ) does not mean laziness, but rather a shift from self-centeredness to world-centeredness.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core message of Gita 3.25?
O scion of the Bharata dynasty, as the unenlightened people act with attachment to work, so should the enlightened person act, without attachment, being desirous of the prevention of people from going astray.