bhagavad-gitagitakrishnakarma-yoga

Bhagavad Gita 3.27 — Prakriteh Kriyamanani Gunaih

Bhagavad Gita 3.27 — Prakriteh Kriyamanani Gunaih in English · English

🕉️ hindu·📿 11× repetitions·🕐 Early morning during meditation, or whenever ego, pride or anxiety arise·📜 Bhagavad Gita Chapter 3, Verse 27

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हिन्दी / देवनागरी తెలుగు தமிழ்ಕನ್ನಡ മലയാളം ગુજરાતી বাংলা ଓଡ଼ିଆ ਪੰਜਾਬੀEnglishසිංහල 𑌗𑍍𑌰𑌨𑍍𑌥

✦ Meaning

In this profound verse from the Karma Yoga chapter, Krishna reveals that all action is actually carried out by the three gunas of Prakriti (material nature). It is only the ego — the false sense of 'I' identifying with the body and mind — that makes a person believe "I am the doer." Understanding this dissolves pride, anxiety and bondage, for the wise see Nature acting through them while the Self remains the unattached witness.

Origin & Story

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 3, Verse 27 · Sage Veda Vyasa (Mahabharata, Bhishma Parva) · Ancient (text compiled c. 5th–2nd century BCE)

In the third chapter, Karma Yoga, Krishna teaches Arjuna how to act without bondage. Having shown that no one can remain actionless, he now exposes the deepest cause of bondage — the ego's claim of doership. This verse declares that the gunas of nature perform all action, and that suffering arises only when the deluded self imagines 'I am the doer.'

✦ As told in scripture

Sages and karma-yogis through the ages testify that the moment the sense of doership dissolves, action continues effortlessly while the heart rests in unshakeable peace — the very freedom this verse promises to one who sees nature, not the ego, as the doer.

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The Mantra

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prakṛiteḥ kriyamāṇāni guṇaiḥ karmāṇi sarvaśhaḥ ahankāra-vimūḍhātmā kartāham iti manyate

Meaning:All actions are performed in every case by the modes (gunas) of material nature. But one whose mind is deluded by egoism thinks, "I am the doer."

Word-by-Word Meaning

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prakṛiteḥ🔊of material nature

kriyamāṇāni🔊being carried out, performed

guṇaiḥ🔊by the three modes (gunas) of nature

karmāṇi🔊activities, actions

sarvaśhaḥ🔊all kinds of, in every way

ahankāra🔊egoism, the sense of 'I'

vimūḍhātmā🔊one whose self is deluded, bewildered

kartā🔊the doer

aham🔊I

iti🔊thus

manyate🔊thinks, considers

Benefits of Chanting Bhagavad Gita 3.27 — Prakriteh Kriyamanani Gunaih

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Dissolves the ego and the false sense of doership that binds the soul

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Frees the mind from pride in success and despair in failure

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Cultivates the witness-consciousness of the unattached Self

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Reduces stress by revealing that Nature, not the small 'I', drives all action

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Deepens humility and surrender in the spirit of karma-yoga

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Prepares the seeker for Self-knowledge by exposing the root of bondage

How to Chant Bhagavad Gita 3.27 — Prakriteh Kriyamanani Gunaih

Repetitions11times

Best TimeEarly morning during meditation, or whenever ego, pride or anxiety arise

Sit quietly and recite the verse slowly, reflecting on its meaning: the gunas of nature perform every action, and only ego claims 'I am the doer.' Whenever you feel inflated by achievement or crushed by failure, repeat it to step back into the witnessing Self. It is especially valuable for those troubled by stress, vanity or attachment to results.

Frequently Asked Questions

This page shows the complete Bhagavad Gita 3.27 — Prakriteh Kriyamanani Gunaih written in the English script — the same Sanskrit/Hindi verses, transliterated character-by-character so you can read and chant comfortably. Tap any line (or the ▶ button) to hear it recited aloud.

Yes — only the script changes; the words and their meaning are the original. The verse-by-verse meaning, benefits and how-to-chant guidance on this page apply exactly the same.

It teaches that all actions are actually carried out by the three gunas (modes) of material nature, and it is only the ego — bewildered by identification with body and mind — that thinks 'I am the doer.' Recognizing this dissolves false pride and bondage.

The gunas are the three qualities of Prakriti (nature): sattva (purity and harmony), rajas (passion and activity) and tamas (inertia and ignorance). Krishna explains that it is these forces, not the pure Self, that drive all activity in the body and mind.

No. It addresses the spiritual truth of doership, not moral responsibility. The point is to release the egoistic pride of 'I am the doer' while still performing one's duty sincerely. The very next verse warns the wise not to unsettle those who still identify with action.

By remembering that nature acts through us, we let go of vanity over success and anxiety over failure. This brings inner calm, humility and freedom — acting fully while resting in the peace of the witnessing Self.