Bhagavad Gita Chapter 3 Verse 18 Meaning
For him, there is no interest whatsoever in what is done or not done; nor does he depend on any being for any purpose.
BG 3.18
नैव तस्य कृतेनार्थो नाकृतेनेह कश्चन। न चास्य सर्वभूतेषु कश्िचदर्थव्यपाश्रयः
naiva tasya kṛitenārtho nākṛiteneha kaśhchana na chāsya sarva-bhūteṣhu kaśhchid artha-vyapāśhrayaḥ
Meaning
For him, there is no interest whatsoever in what is done or not done; nor does he depend on any being for any purpose.
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What Does Bhagavad Gita 3.18 Mean?
The Gita addresses duty with characteristic directness here. For him, there is no interest whatsoever in what is done or not done; nor does he depend on any being for any purpose. Within the broader arc of Chapter 3, this verse builds on Krishna's systematic exposition of selfless action. Ramanuja's commentary highlights how this verse reinforces the accessibility of the Gita's path. The teaching on duty is presented not as an elite attainment but as a practical orientation available to anyone willing to examine their motivations and actions honestly.
The practical invitation is to hold this verse as a mirror. Where in your life does the principle of duty feel most challenging? That is precisely where the teaching has the most to offer.
— Explained by the Nitya Team
What Is the Context of Bhagavad Gita 3.18?
The path of selfless action, performing one's duty without attachment to results.
Key themes in this chapter include Action, Duty, Selflessness, Work.
How Can I Apply Bhagavad Gita 3.18 in Daily Life?
- •When you need steadiness while dealing with action
- •When practicing duty amid uncertainty
- •When applying selflessness to real-life choices
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Related Verses
BG 3.5
Verily, no one can remain for even a moment without performing action; for everyone is made to act helplessly, indeed, by the qualities born of Nature.
BG 3.8
Perform your bounden duty, for action is superior to inaction, and even the maintenance of the body would not be possible for you through inaction.
BG 1.1
Dhritarashtra said, "What did my people and the sons of Pandu do when they had assembled together, eager for battle, on the holy plain of Kurukshetra, O Sanjaya?"
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