श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता १८.४६ — यतः प्रवृत्तिर्भूतानाम् — Word-by-Word Meaning
श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता १८.४६ — यतः प्रवृत्तिर्भूतानाम्
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
यतः
yataḥ
from whom
प्रवृत्तिः
pravṛittiḥ
the origin, coming-into-being, activity
भूतानाम्
bhūtānām
of all living beings
येन
yena
by whom
सर्वम्
sarvam
all
इदम्
idam
this (universe)
ततम्
tatam
is pervaded
स्वकर्मणा
sva-karmaṇā
by one's own prescribed duty / natural work
तम्
tam
Him
अभ्यर्च्य
abhyarchya
by worshipping, by offering worship
सिद्धिम्
siddhim
perfection, success, fulfillment
विन्दति
vindati
attains, finds
मानवः
mānavaḥ
a human being, a person
Complete Translation
जिस परमात्मा से समस्त प्राणियों की उत्पत्ति हुई है और जिससे यह सम्पूर्ण जगत् व्याप्त है, उसकी अपने स्वकर्म द्वारा पूजा करके मनुष्य सिद्धि को प्राप्त होता है।
Origin & History
Source: Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18, Verse 46
Author: Sage Veda Vyasa (Mahabharata, Bhishma Parva)
Period: Ancient (text compiled c. 5th–2nd century BCE)
In the eighteenth and final chapter, Moksha Sannyasa Yoga, Krishna summarizes the whole teaching of the Gita. Having described duties according to one's nature, he reveals this profound truth: the Lord who is the source of all beings and pervades the universe is worshipped through one's own work, and by such worship a person attains perfection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the key teaching of Bhagavad Gita 18.46?▼
Krishna teaches that by performing one's own duty as worship of the all-pervading Lord — from whom all beings arise and by whom the universe is pervaded — a person attains perfection. Honest work, offered to God, is itself a spiritual path.
How can ordinary work become worship?▼
By doing your prescribed duty sincerely, skillfully and selflessly, and dedicating it to God rather than to ego or greed. The inner attitude of offering, not the outer type of work, is what turns labour into worship (abhyarchya).
Does this mean I don't need temple rituals to reach God?▼
Ritual worship has its place, but this verse expands worship to include one's daily duty. The Lord who pervades everything can be adored through right action itself, so even those immersed in worldly responsibilities have a complete path to perfection.
How does this verse relate to swadharma (one's own duty)?▼
It builds on the Gita's teaching that it is better to do one's own duty (swadharma) imperfectly than another's well. Here Krishna adds that this very swadharma, offered as worship to God, leads directly to the highest perfection.
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