BG 3.22

 Bhagavad Gita Chapter 3, Verse 22 (3.22)

Sanskrit
na me pārthāsti kartavyaṁ
triṣu lokeṣu kiñcana
nānavāptam avāptavyaṁ
varta eva ca karmaṇi

Common English translation:

“O Partha, there is nothing in the three worlds that I must do, nor is there anything unattained that I need to obtain; yet I continue to engage in action.”

Context

In Chapter 3 (Karma Yoga), Krishna is explaining why action is necessary. He says that even though He lacks nothing and has no personal obligation or unfulfilled desire, He still acts.

The next verses (3.23–24) explain why:
If He stopped acting, people would follow that example, social order would decline, and confusion would arise.

Key idea

This verse teaches action without personal need or attachment:

• Act not merely for personal gain.
• Duty can be performed for the welfare of the world (lokasaṅgraha—upholding order and harmony).
• Freedom is not inactivity; it is action without compulsion or selfish dependence on results.

In Advaita-style interpretation:
The realized person may have nothing to gain personally, yet continues acting naturally, without egoic attachment—because action belongs to prakṛti (nature), not the Self.

A concise takeaway:
“Even one who needs nothing may still act—for dharma and the good of the world.”