Chapter 3: Karma-yoga: – Transforming All Activities into YogaVerse 5
न हि कचित्क्षणमपि जातु तिष्ठत्यकर्मकृत् ।
कार्यते ह्यवश: कर्म सर्व: प्रकृतिजैर्गुणै: ।।
English Transliteration
na hi kaścit-kṣaṇam-api
jātu tiṣṭhaty-akarmakṛt
kāryate hy-avaśa: karma
sarva: prakṛtijair-guṇai: – 3.5
Translation
None indeed ever remains inactive even for a second. All are irresistibly compelled to be active by dint of Nature’s qualities, guṇas.
Chanting Audio
Chapter 3: Karma-yoga: – Transforming All Activities into Yoga - Verse 5
Swami Nirviseshananda Tirtha
Commentary
This is a paramount statement, rather revelation. It substantiates activity, active life and involvement.
The whole creation is a design and display of Nature. Everything here is an outcome of the natural processes, which do not allow dislodgement at all.
Everything, from atom to planet, beams with activity, to sustain the microcosm and macrocosm alike. Even for a moment, nothing in the ken of nature can remain inactive or un-involved. Nature’s laws are inexorable.
Nature consists of sattva, rajas and tamas, three qualities. Sattva sources knowledge, light and happiness. Rajas triggers activities and their causes. Tamas induces lethargy, darkness and ignorance. By these, Nature preserves itself. None can flout Nature and be inactive.
All beings are bound to remain active by dint of the three guṇas. There is no option to shun activity or renounce abruptly whatever one does.
