Bhagavad Gita — Karma Yoga, Shloka 9
Karma Yoga
यज्ञार्थात्कर्मणोऽन्यत्र लोकोऽयं कर्मबन्धनः । तदर्थं कर्म कौन्तेय मुक्तसङ्गः समाचर ॥ ३.९ ॥
yajñārthāt karmaṇo'nyatra loko'yaṃ karmabandhanaḥ | tadarthaṃ karma kaunteya muktasaṅgaḥ samācara || 3.9 ||
除为祭祀（yajña）而行之业外，此世因业而系缚。故昆蒂之子啊，为此目的而行事，离于执著而修行。
Except for action performed for sacrifice (yajña), this world is bound by action. Therefore, O son of Kuntī, perform action for that purpose, free from attachment.
Apart from action for the sake of yajña, this world is bound by action. Therefore, O Kaunteya, perform action for that (yajña), being free from attachment.
‘Yajña’ can mean Vedic sacrifice, but also broader ‘offering’ or ‘sacrificial orientation’ (work done as contribution). Academic readings often treat this as an early synthesis: ritual vocabulary is extended to ethical and social action.
FAQs
Reframing work as an offering reduces ego-centric pressure and resentment. It can support motivation grounded in contribution rather than constant self-evaluation.
The verse proposes a mechanism for freedom amid action: when action is oriented toward yajña (a transpersonal purpose), it does not generate binding consequences in the same way as self-serving action.
Krishna introduces yajña-language to show how Arjuna can act without accruing bondage—by shifting intention and attachment.
Treat professional and civic duties as service: act competently, share benefits, and reduce fixation on personal gain. This parallels ‘work as offering’ without requiring literal ritual sacrifice.