Bhagavad Gita 3.20 · Krishna
For the good of the world
कर्मणैव हि संसिद्धिमास्थिता जनकादयः।
लोकसंग्रहमेवापि सम्पश्यन्कर्तुमर्हसि॥
karmaṇaiva hi saṃsiddhimāsthitā janakādayaḥlokasaṃgrahamevāpi sampaśyankartumarhasi
Through action alone, Janaka and others reached perfection. You too should act, keeping the welfare of the world in view.
Words
- lokasaṅgraha
What it means
Krishna gives an example. King Janaka, a famous sage-king, reached perfection while ruling, not by renouncing. Then he names a beautiful idea, lokasangraha, holding the world together. Arjuna should act not only for himself but for the welfare of everyone.
The story
Janaka was legendary for staying wise while doing a king's work. Krishna is telling Arjuna, you don't have to leave the world to be wise. You can stay at your post and become a blessing for others.
In your life
Imagine a small-town doctor who's served the same families for thirty years. Their steady work holds a community together. See your own job this way this week. Who does your work quietly hold up?
Your work can hold the world together.