Shloka 20

Devanagari script

कर्मणैव हि संसिद्धिमास्थिता जनकादय: । लोकसंग्रहमेवापि सम्पश्यन्‌ कर्तुमहसि,जनकादि ज्ञानीजन भी आसक्तिरहित कर्मद्वारा ही परम सिद्धिको प्राप्त हुए थे5। इसलिये तथा लोकसंग्रहको देखते हुए भी तू कर्म करनेको ही योग्य है अर्थात्‌ तुझे कर्म करना ही उचित है?

Transliteration

karmaṇaiva hi saṁsiddhim āsthitā janakādayaḥ | lokasaṅgraham evāpi sampaśyan kartum arhasi ||

Translation

En vérité, c’est par l’action seule que Janaka et d’autres exemples ont atteint la perfection. Ainsi, même en vue de maintenir l’ordre du monde et de guider les hommes par ton exemple, tu dois accomplir ton devoir.

Word by Word

कर्मणाby action

एवindeed/only

हिfor/indeed

संसिद्धिम्perfection/complete success

आस्थिताःattained/established (in)

जनकादयःJanaka and others

लोकसंग्रहम्the maintenance/holding-together of the world (social order)

एवindeed/only

अपिalso/even

सम्पश्यन्seeing/considering

कर्तुम्to do

अर्हसिyou ought/are fit

Speaker

अजुन उवाच

Characters & Entities

Janaka

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Perfection is attainable through disciplined action performed without attachment; exemplary figures like King Janaka reached fulfillment by doing their duties. One should act also for lokasaṅgraha—maintaining social order and guiding others through one’s example.

What is happening in the narrative?

In the teaching on duty and renunciation, the speaker urges the listener to continue performing rightful action. Citing Janaka and other ideal rulers/sages, the verse argues that even the wise should act, because their conduct stabilizes society and instructs others.