3.24 — Krishna’s own example

Sanskrit · Teaching film · Everyday practice

Speaker: Krishna, addressing Arjuna.

The shloka

उत्सीदेयुरिमे लोका न कुर्यां कर्म चेदहम् ।
सङ्करस्य च कर्ता स्यामुपहन्यामिमाः प्रजाः ॥ २४ ॥

Brief meaning

If he did not act, these worlds would fall into ruin. He would be the cause of confusion, and would harm these beings.

In the conversation

Krishna now speaks of himself. There is nothing in the three worlds he must do and nothing left for him to gain, yet he continues to act. If he stopped, people would follow, and the worlds would fall into confusion. Divine action is presented as care for the order of the world, not as need.

Word by word

उत्सीदेयुः इमे लोकाः

These worlds would fall into ruin

न कुर्याम् कर्म चेत् अहम्

if I did not act.

सङ्करस्य च कर्ता स्याम्

I would be the cause of confusion,

उपहन्याम् इमाः प्रजाः

and would harm these beings.

Going deeper

Krishna calls Arjuna Pārtha, son of Pṛthā. The three worlds are the whole of existence. Vartma means path: people follow the path of the one they look up to. Saṅkara means confusion, the loss of order. In chapter one Arjuna feared that fighting would bring such confusion. Krishna turns this around and shows that abandoning one’s work can bring confusion too.

Everyday reflection

Think of a respected elder who still turns up early to help set out chairs at the temple or community hall, though no one would blame them for resting. Their presence tells others that the work matters. Doing something you no longer have to do can be a quiet form of care. Is there something you have outgrown the need to do, which others still need to see done?

Consider today: Consider who depends on your steadiness without saying so.