BG 3.20

King Janaka and others reached perfection through action alone. Even for the sake of enlightening the world, you must act.

कर्मणैव हि संसिद्धिमास्थिता जनकादयः
लोकसंग्रहमेवापि संपश्यन्कर्तुमर्हसि

karmaṇaiva — only by performance of action
- karmaṇā — by the performance of prescribed duties
- eva — only
hi — certainly
sansiddhim — perfection
āsthitā — attained
āsthitāḥ
janakādayaḥ — King Janaka and other kings
loka-saṅgraham — for the welfare of the people
- loka — people
- saṅgraham — for the welfare
evāpi — only
eva api—only
sampaśhyan — considering
kartum — to perform
arhasi — you should

For the one whose only delight is in the self, is satisfied within the self, and is content in the self alone, nothing remains to be accomplished.

[17]

For them, there is nothing to gain from action or inaction. Their welfare does not depend on the contribution of mortal creatures.

[18]

Therefore, without attachment, perform the work that is your duty, for one who does their duty without attachment attains perfection.

[19]

King Janaka and others reached perfection through action alone. Even for the sake of enlightening the world, you must act.

[20]

Whatever a great person does, others follow and imitate, conforming to the standard they have set.

[21]

Summary