कर्मणैव हि संसिद्धिमास्थिता जनकादयः | लोकसंग्रहमेवापि सम्पश्यन्कर्तुमर्हसि || २० ||
karmaṇaiva hi saṁsiddhim āsthitā janakādayaḥ loka-saṁgraham evāpi sampaśyan kartum arhasi
karmaṇā—by action; eva—certainly; hi—certainly; saṁsiddhim—perfection; āsthitāḥ—situated in; janaka-ādayaḥ—Janaka and other kings; loka-saṁgraham—the people in general; eva—also; api—certainly; sampaśyan—considering; kartum—to act; arhasi—you deserve.
“Certainly, even King Janaka and others attained perfection through action alone. You should act for the welfare and upholding of the world.”
King Janaka ruled his kingdom with total efficiency while remaining inwardly established in Self-knowledge. He is the archetype of the Karma Yogi — fully engaged in the world, fully grounded in the Self. His example shows that even at the highest levels of power and responsibility, liberation through action is entirely possible. Arjuna, too, must act — not for personal gain, but for the welfare of all (loka-sangraha).
Use the example of Janaka to reject the false choice between spiritual life and active engagement with the world. Your position — as a parent, professional, or citizen — gives you a platform for service. The measure of spiritual progress is not how much you withdraw from the world but how much your engagement with it is purified of ego and self-seeking.