Action for collective welfare becomes spiritual practice.
Krishna speaks to Arjuna
कर्मणैव हि संसिद्धिमास्थिता जनकादयः |लोकसंग्रहमेवापि सम्पश्यन्कर्तुमर्हसि ||३-२०||
karmaṇaiva hi saṃsiddhimāsthitā janakādayaḥ . lokasaṃgrahamevāpi sampaśyankartumarhasi ||3-20||
Use this verse when you want your work to serve a larger purpose.
Meaning
Indeed, Janaka and others attained perfection through action alone. You should act also for the welfare and stability of the world.
Translation: Gita Guidance (original English rendering).
In plain words
Great people attain perfection through action done for the good of the world.
Word-by-word meaning
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Explanation
Krishna gives the example of King Janaka, a ruler who attained spiritual perfection while fulfilling worldly duties. This is very important for householders, founders, leaders, and professionals. You do not have to abandon society to grow spiritually. Work, leadership, governance, parenting, teaching, and service can all become paths to liberation when done for loka-sangraha, the holding together and welfare of the world.
Read the traditional commentary
Krishna grounds his teaching in living example. King Janaka and other great sovereigns reached samsiddhi, the highest perfection, through action alone — not by abandoning the world but by serving it faithfully even while inwardly free. The royal sage ruled, judged, and fought, yet remained liberated within.
Then Krishna introduces a crucial new motive: lokasangraha, the holding together and welfare of the world. Arjuna should act not only for his own liberation but for the good of all, to protect the social and moral order. Here the spiritual path turns outward into responsibility.
Withdrawal would serve only the self; engaged, selfless action serves the whole community. The truly wise do not flee the world to be free; they remain within it, free and serving, becoming pillars upon which the well-being of others rests.
In daily life
Ask how your role can support others, not only yourself.
A founder can build not only for valuation but for user wellbeing, employee dignity, and social trust.
Try this today
Write one way your work can serve more than your own success.
My work supports the welfare of the world.Reflect
How does my work contribute to loka-sangraha?
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Quick check
What does ‘संसिद्धिम् आस्थिताः’ mean in this verse?
Krishna on leadership, in other chapters
- Verse 18.43The life of action and leadership calls for courage, fortitude, generosity, and never fleeing rightful struggle.
- Verse 6.5You are your own best friend or worst enemy — choose to lift yourself rather than let your lower impulses pull you down.
- Verse 8.26Two paths lie ever open before us, toward light or toward return; how we live decides which one we travel.
- Verse 4.34Wisdom is earned through humility, sincere questioning, and service — approach those who have truly realized the truth.
Swipe left for 3.21 · Your conduct becomes someone else’s standard.
Questions about Bhagavad Gita 3.20
Who says Bhagavad Gita 3.20, and to whom?
Krishna speaks to Arjuna in verse 3.20, in Chapter 3, Karma Yoga (Karma Yoga).
What does Bhagavad Gita 3.20 mean?
Indeed, Janaka and others attained perfection through action alone. You should act also for the welfare and stability of the world. (Translation: Gita Guidance (original English rendering).)
What is the lesson of Bhagavad Gita 3.20 for daily life?
Ask how your role can support others, not only yourself. A founder can build not only for valuation but for user wellbeing, employee dignity, and social trust.
What do the Sanskrit words in Bhagavad Gita 3.20 mean?
कर्मणा एव हि — by action alone indeed; संसिद्धिम् आस्थिताः — attained perfection; जनकादयः — Janaka and others; लोकसंग्रहम् एव अपि — the welfare / holding together of the world also; सम्पश्यन् — having regard for.
Where does verse 3.20 come in the Bhagavad Gita?
It is verse 20 of 43 in Chapter 3, Karma Yoga. The next verse is 3.21.