โศลก 3.203.13.23.33.43.53.63.73.83.93.103.113.123.133.143.153.163.173.183.193.203.213.223.233.243.253.263.273.283.293.303.313.323.333.343.353.363.373.383.393.403.413.423.43

Janaka and others attained perfection verily by action only; even with a view to the protection of the masses thou shouldst perform action.

It was through action alone that Janaka and others reached perfection. Considering also the holding together of the world, you should act.

Krishna offers an example. King Janaka of Videha, famous in tradition as a sage who ruled a kingdom, reached perfection through action, without abandoning his duties. Krishna then introduces a new reason to act: lokasaṅgraha, the holding together of the world, the welfare and stability of society. Even if Arjuna had nothing personal to gain, his action would help keep the world in order. This idea becomes central in the following verses, where Krishna speaks about the influence of leaders and his own example.