3.22 - Bhagavad Gita - Chapter 3, Verse 22

In this powerful verse (3.22) of the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna reveals a profound truth about His divine nature while simultaneously teaching Arjuna an essential lesson about duty. Krishna declares, "There is no duty for Me to do in all the three worlds, O Parth, nor do I have anything to gain or attain. Yet, I am engaged in prescribed duties." This statement serves as both a revelation of Krishna's divinity and a practical example for humanity.

Krishna explains that despite being the Supreme Being with absolutely no obligations or needs, He still willingly engages in prescribed actions. This is the first subtle hint in the Gita where Krishna indicates His divine position as the Supreme God. Unlike ordinary beings who act out of necessity, desire, or obligation, Krishna has transcended all these motivations. He is completely self-sufficient and lacks nothing within Himself—there is nothing for Him to gain or achieve across all the three planetary systems.

Yet despite this complete self-sufficiency, Krishna chooses to engage in action. He performs His duties not because He must, but to set an example for others to follow. Just as an accomplished actor can perform any role—large or small—without attachment before moving effortlessly to the next, Krishna engages in His cosmic duties with perfect detachment while maintaining the cosmic order.

This verse offers a profound insight into the nature of true leadership. Krishna, as "the controller of all other controllers" and "the greatest of all the diverse planetary leaders," demonstrates that the most elevated form of leadership is to lead by example. He doesn't merely instruct others on proper conduct; He embodies it through His own actions, showing that even the highest authority follows dharma (righteous duty).

Krishna's example challenges us to examine our own motivations for action. Most people act because they need something, want something, or feel obligated to someone. Our lives revolve around fulfilling basic needs, pursuing desires, or meeting social expectations. Yet Krishna introduces a higher principle of action—performing one's duty simply because it is right, without attachment to results or personal gain.

This remarkable verse also foreshadows Krishna's later revelations about His divine mission to establish dharma. By performing His prescribed duties despite having no personal need to do so, Krishna demonstrates how He works to restore balance and righteousness in the world. His actions aren't driven by personal desire but by compassion and concern for the welfare of all beings.

For Arjuna, this teaching carries special significance in his current dilemma. If Krishna—who has nothing to gain and no obligations to fulfill—still performs His duties, how much more should Arjuna, a mortal with responsibilities, fulfill his duty as a warrior? The verse gently but firmly reminds Arjuna that his hesitation to fight stems from attachment to outcomes rather than a focus on his prescribed duty. Through His own example, Krishna invites Arjuna—and all of us—to discover a higher motivation for action: performing duty for duty's sake, with detachment from results and a focus on maintaining the greater good.