BHAGVAD GITA

On the other hand, the soul who meditates on the Self is content to serve the Self and rests
satisfied within the Self; there remains nothing more for him to accomplish.


He has nothing to gain by the performance or non-performance of action. His welfare
depends not on any contribution that an earthly creature can make.


Therefore do thy duty perfectly, without care for the results, for he who does his duty
disinterestedly attains the Supreme.


King Janaka and others attained perfection through action alone. Even for the sake of
enlightening the world, it is thy duty to act;


For whatever a great man does, others imitate. People conform to the standard which he
has set.


There is nothing in this universe, O Arjuna, that I am compelled to do, nor anything for
Me to attain; yet I am persistently active.


For were I not to act without ceasing, O prince, people would be glad to do likewise.


And if I were to refrain from action, the human race would be ruined; I should lead the
world to chaos, and destruction would follow.


As the ignorant act, because of their fondness for action, so should the wise act without
such attachment, fixing their eyes, O Arjuna, only on the welfare of the world.


But a wise man should not perturb the minds of the ignorant, who are attached to action;
let him perform his own actions in the right spirit, with concentration on Me, thus
inspiring all to do the same.


Action is the product of the Qualities inherent in Nature. It is only the ignorant man who,
misled by personal egotism, says: `I am the doer.’


But he, O Mighty One, who understands correctly the relation of the Qualities to action, is
not attached to the act for he perceives that it is merely the action and reaction of the
Qualities among themselves.


Those who do not understand the Qualities are interested in the act. Still, the wise man
who knows the truth should not disturb the mind of him who does not.


Therefore, surrendering thy actions unto Me, thy thoughts concentrated on the Absolute,
free from selfishness and without anticipation of reward, with mind devoid of excitement,
begin thou to fight.


Those who always act in accordance with My precepts, firm in faith and without cavilling,
they too are freed from the bondage of action.


But they who ridicule My word and do not keep it, are ignorant, devoid of wisdom and
blind. They seek but their own destruction.


Even the wise man acts in character with his nature; indeed, all creatures act according to
their natures. What is the use of compulsion then?