Chapter 3 Verse 15
Karm Yog
कर्म ब्रह्मोद्भवं विद्धि ब्रह्माक्षरसमुद्भवम्। तस्मात्सर्वगतं ब्रह्म नित्यं यज्ञे प्रतिष्ठितम्।।3.15।।
karma brahmodbhavaṁ viddhi brahmākṣhara-samudbhavam tasmāt sarva-gataṁ brahma nityaṁ yajñe pratiṣhṭhitam
Word Meanings
| karma | duties |
| brahma | in the Vedas |
| udbhavam | manifested |
| viddhi | you should know |
| brahma | The Vedas |
| akṣhara | from the Imperishable (God) |
| samudbhavam | directly manifested |
| tasmāt | therefore |
| sarva-gatam | all-pervading |
| brahma | The Lord |
| nityam | eternally |
| yajñe | in sacrifice |
| pratiṣhṭhitam | established |
Translation
Know that action comes from Brahma, and Brahma comes from the Imperishable. Therefore, the all-pervasive Brahma ever rests in sacrifice.
Philosophical Significance
Core Meaning
This verse says that our actions are not merely personal; they come from a larger, sacred order. The Vedic way of acting (karma) is rooted in Brahma, and Brahma itself springs from the Imperishable — the timeless divine source (Brahman).
Because the divine pervades everything, it dwells in the act of sacrifice (yajña). That means right action becomes a way to connect with the divine when it is done with awareness and without selfish attachment.
In short: action is sacred when offered, and seeing work as an offering links daily life to a deeper, all-pervading reality.
Life Application
- Before starting a task, dedicate it inwardly to a greater good or purpose to reduce ego-driven stress.
- Do your duty carefully and honestly, focusing on the action rather than only on personal gain.
- When possible, use your work to help others—this turns ordinary activity into a simple form of sacrifice.
Reflection Question
How would my day change if I treated my next action as an offering rather than as a way to get what I want?