Path of Selfless Service
Verse 3.18
नैव तस्य कृतेनार्थो नाकृतेनेह कश्चन। न चास्य सर्वभूतेषु कश्िचदर्थव्यपाश्रयः।।3.18।।
naiva tasya kṛitenārtho nākṛiteneha kaśhchana na chāsya sarva-bhūteṣhu kaśhchid artha-vyapāśhrayaḥ
Word Meanings
na—not; eva—indeed; tasya—his; kṛitena—by discharge of duty; arthaḥ—gain; na—not; akṛitena—without discharge of duty; iha—here; kaśhchana—whatsoever; na—never; cha—and; asya—of that person; sarva-bhūteṣhu—among all living beings; kaśhchit—any; artha—necessity; vyapāśhrayaḥ—to depend upon
Translation · English
For him, there is no interest whatsoever in what is done or not done; nor does he depend on any being for any purpose.
Deep Meaning · English
In this verse, Krishna describes the state of the Jivanmukta—the one who is liberated while still residing within a human body. When a soul realizes its essential unity with the Divine (Atman), it transcends the limitations of karma. Because such a person has no personal desires, ambitions, or egoic agendas to fulfill, their actions are no longer driven by the need to gain anything from the world or the fear of losing anything by avoiding action. They exist in a state of 'Nishkama Karma,' where activity continues to flow through them as a cosmic offering rather than a means to an end. Krishna highlights the absolute self-sufficiency of the realized being; they no longer rely on any created thing or any specific outcome to sustain their happiness. They have shifted their internal dependency from the world of objects to the source of all existence. This is not a state of apathy or laziness, but one of perfect spiritual freedom where the seeker acts for the benefit of the world without being bound by it. Their 'duty' becomes a natural expression of harmony with the Divine Will rather than a burdensome obligation.
The realized soul acts in perfect freedom, independent of any gain or loss in the world, because they have found complete fulfillment within their own divine nature.
Connected Verses
Explains that whatever one does or offers, when dedicated to the Divine, removes the bondage of karma.
Describes the equanimity of the yogi for whom gold, stone, and dirt are of equal value, mirroring the lack of worldly dependence.
Expands on this truth by stating that the one who sees inaction in action and action in inaction is truly wise.
Establishes the foundational principle that one has the right to work but never to the fruits thereof.
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