III h. The wise let it be (3.26-29)

na buddhibhedam janayedagnaanaam karmasanginaam
joshayetsarvakarmaaNi vidvaan yuktah samaacharan (3.26)

prakrutairkriyamaaNaani guNaih karmaaNi sarvashah
ahankaaravimooDhaatmaa kartaahamitimanyate (3.27)

tattvavittu maahaabaaho guNakarmavibhaagayo
guNaa guNeshu vartante iti matvaa na sajjate (3.28)

prakrutairguNasammooDha sajjante guNakarmasu
taanakrutsnavido mandaan krutsnavinnavichaalayet(3.29)

the wise use words and silence
skill and intelligence to unite,
not divide...
the intellect of those
caught up in the doership-work-impressions
with enthusiasm and care
in all actions
big and small
the wise skillfully move
with balance...

Even all that one thins one does
by the very nature
of the body-mind, all of it just happens
the fool stuck in limited identity
thinks "it is I who did this and that
such a burden it is
I HAVE to do!!!!"

The one whose eyes are open,
the element of truth s/he who sees
well aware of the dull, active, bright
knows the difference
between the qualities, the actor
and the action...
knowing that the qualities act
by their very nature
the wise do not identify with them
the unwise, unmindful of this subtle play
unable to see the clear divide
between the force of the qualities
and the inner source
should not be disturbed
from their reactive pattern
with patience,
let the fools act as they do
work skillfully
without disturbing
the harmony between
the ignorance and the truth.....

Dr. Ramanand Prasad's version

The wise should not unsettle the mind of the ignorant who is attached to the fruits of work, but the enlightened one should inspire others by performing all works efficiently without attachment. (See also 3.29) (3.26)

All works are being done by the Gunas (or the energy and power) of nature, but due to delusion of ego people assume themselves to be the doer. (See also 5.09, 13.29, and 14.19) (3.27)

The one who knows the truth, O Arjuna, about the role of Guna and action does not get attached to the work, knowing that it is the Gunas that work with their instruments, the organs. (3.28)

Those who are deluded by the Gunas of nature get attached to the works of the Gunas. The wise should not disturb the mind of the ignorant whose knowledge is imperfect. (See also 3.26) (3.29)

III g. YOU exemplify dynamism in action! (3.21-25)

yadyadaacharatishreshTha tattaddevetaro janaaha
sa yatpramaaNam kurute lokastadanuvartate (3.21)

na me paarthaasti kartavyam trishu lokeshu kinchana
naanaavaptavaaptavyam varta eva cha karmaNi (3.22)

yadi hyayam na varteyam jaatu karmaNyatandritah
mama vartmaanuvartante manushyaah partha sarvashah (3.23)

utsideyurime lokaa na kuryaam karma chedaham
sankarasya cha kartaasyaamupahanyaamimaah prajaah (3.24)

saktaah karmaNyavidvaanso yatha kurvanti bhaarata
kuryaat vidvaanstathaasaktash chikirshurlokasangraham (3.25)

the ONE continued.....

the footprints of the best
carves the path for the rest
on physical, mental or spiritual
for the ONE
there is no duty, no job
that needs to be done
nothing to gain, nothing to lose
and yet see how each moment
participation I choose!
If I dont act carefully,
the people for whom
I am an example
would slack and fall through!
lethargy and delusion
would become the rule,
leading to disaster
if i dont do what i take up
on myself to do

just as the unwise act restlessly,
with feverishness and self-centered passion
with as much intensity,
but with awareness,
and with clear focus,
act !
work with enthusiasm, benevolence and dispassion

Dr. Ramanand Prasad's version

King Janaka and others attained perfection (or Self-realization) by Karma-yoga alone. You should perform your duty (with apathetic frame of mind) with a view to guide people and for the universal welfare (of the society). (3.20)

Because, whatever noble persons do, others follow. Whatever standard they set up, the world follows. (3.21)

O Arjuna, there is nothing in the three worlds (earth, heaven, and the upper regions) that should be done by Me, nor there is anything unobtained that I should obtain, yet I engage in action. (3.22)

Because, if I do not engage in action relentlessly, O Arjuna, people would follow My path in every way. (3.23)

These worlds would perish if I do not work, and I shall be the cause of confusion and destruction of all these people. (3.24)

As the ignorant work, O Arjuna, with attachment (to the fruits of work), so the wise should work without attachment, for the welfare of the society. (3.25)

III f. Nurturing the inner celebration rejoice in action (3.17-20)

yastvaatmaratireva syaadaatmatruptashcha manavah
aatmanyeva cha santushtastasya karyam na vidyate ( 3.17)

naiva tasye krutenaarthe naakruteneha kashchan
na chaasya sarvabhooteshu kashcidarthavyapaashrayah (3.18)

tasmaadasaktah satatam kaarya karma samaachara
asakto hyacharan karma paramaapnoti poorooshah (3.19)

karmaNaivahi sansiddhimaasthitaa janakaadayah
lokasangrahamevaapi sampashyan kartumarhasi (3.20)

The one who knows how to access
the joy within themselves,
content in that inner nectar
nothing appears as work-burden then
Perceiving the inner beauty
such a one joyfully works,
and doesnt label it as a drudgery or "duty"

Neither is there obsession
about a task, a goal
nor resistance in dropping
what need not be done.
nor does such a one depend
on anyone for anything
in this whole creation
living like a free feather,
adding beauty each moment
rather than being a burden
to the earth.

Like that, centered, playfully, each moment...
do that which needs to be done
one who acts so dynamically,
free from feverishness
attains the state-enlightened...

Such resistance-free Action
was the life example set by Janaka
and others who attained perfection
even for inspiring the posterity
you need to give your best performance!

Dr. Ramanand Prasad's version

The one who rejoices in the Self only, who is satisfied with the Self, who is content in the Self alone, for such a (Self-realized) person there is no duty. (3.17)

Such a person has no interest, whatsoever, in what is done or what is not done. A Self-realized person does not depend on anybody (except God) for anything. (3.18)

Therefore, always perform your duty efficiently and without attachment to the results, because by doing work without attachment one attains the Supreme. (3.19)

King Janaka and others attained perfection (or Self-realization) by Karma-yoga alone. You should perform your duty (with apathetic frame of mind) with a view to guide people and for the universal welfare (of the society). (3.20)

Everything that is really great and inspiring is created by the individual who can labor in freedom.
-- Albert Einstein