Bhagavad Gita 3.24उत्सीदेयुरिमे लोका न कुर्यां कर्म चेदहम्।सङ्करस्य च कर्ता स्यामुपहन्यामिमाः प्रजाः ॥

Teachers usually read this idea across several verses together, one shared reflection covers the whole unit.

• 3.17But for that man who rejoices only in the Self, who is satisfied with the Self and is…
• 3.18For him, there is no interest whatsoever in what is done or not done; nor does he depend…
• 3.19Therefore, without attachment, always perform the actions that should be done; for by…
• 3.20Janaka and others attained perfection indeed through action alone; even with the intention…
• 3.21Whatever a great man does, others also do; whatever he establishes as the standard, the…
• 3.22There is nothing in the three worlds, O Arjuna, that needs to be done by Me, nor is there…
• 3.23For, should I not ever engage myself in action, unwearied, people would in every way…

• 3.24These worlds would perish if I did not perform action; I would be the author of confusion…

• 3.25As the ignorant act out of attachment to action, O Bharata, so should the wise act without…
• 3.26Let no wise man unsettle the minds of ignorant people who are attached to action; he…
• 3.27All actions are wrought in all cases by the qualities of Nature alone. He whose mind is…
• 3.28But he who knows the Truth, O mighty-armed Arjuna, about the divisions of the qualities…
• 3.29Those deluded by the qualities of Nature are attached to the functions of the qualities.…

na

not

cha

and

ime

all these

aham

I

chet

if

karma

prescribed duties

syām

would be

kartā

responsible

imāḥ

all these

kuryām

I perform

lokāḥ

worlds

prajāḥ

living entities

sankarasya

of uncultured population

upahanyām

would destroy

utsīdeyuḥ

would perish