Chapter 3 Verse 27
Karm Yog
प्रकृतेः क्रियमाणानि गुणैः कर्माणि सर्वशः। अहङ्कारविमूढात्मा कर्ताऽहमिति मन्यते।।3.27।।
prakṛiteḥ kriyamāṇāni guṇaiḥ karmāṇi sarvaśhaḥ ahankāra-vimūḍhātmā kartāham iti manyate
Word Meanings
| prakṛiteḥ | of material nature |
| kriyamāṇāni | carried out |
| guṇaiḥ | by the three modes |
| karmāṇi | activities |
| sarvaśhaḥ | all kinds of |
| ahankāra-vimūḍha-ātmā | those who are bewildered by the ego and misidentify themselves with the body |
| kartā | the doer |
| aham | I |
| iti | thus |
| manyate | thinks |
Translation
All actions are wrought in all cases by the qualities of Nature alone. He whose mind is deluded by egoism thinks, "I am the doer."
Philosophical Significance
Core Meaning
This verse says that actions happen because of nature — our habits, instincts, and the situations around us. The self often forgets this and, confused by ego, claims sole credit: "I did it."
When you believe you alone are the doer, you grow proud or guilty and lose clear judgment. Seeing actions as coming through you, not from you, frees you from reactive pride and blame.
Spiritually, the teaching points to becoming a calm witness. Recognize your role as an instrument and act responsibly without being driven by ego or attachment to results.
Life Application
- When you succeed or fail, pause and list the conditions that helped: training, support, timing. This reduces personal pride or blame.
- Do your tasks with attention and care, but try to let go of possessive thoughts like "this is mine" or "I must get credit."
- Offer your work to a larger purpose (family, service, or a spiritual ideal) to shift focus from self-centered gain to service.
Reflection Question
When you feel the thought "I did this," what else or who else made it possible?