Sensing that Arjuna is thinking about exalted renunciates who have given up all actions and all sacrifices, Krishna discusses such people, highlighting their special characteristics: they need to be self-satisfied, neither desiring nor needing anything external (03.17). Whether such people act or renounce action doesn’t matter because even if they act, they won’t become attached to anyone (03.18). Even if Arjuna considers himself to be one among them, then he can still act with detachment and thereby attain perfection (03.19). By such detached action, kings like Janaka attained perfection — therefore, Arjuna too should do the same for maintaining social order and thereby maintaining the world (03.20). Arjuna is a leader whose actions will be emulated by others; people in general model their actions based on their leaders’ actions (03.21). Giving his own example, Krishna states that he is the ultimate self-satisfied person, having no needs or desires — he still does his duties (03.22). If he didn’t do his duties diligently, people from all walks of life would imitate him and abandon their duties (03.23). His example will be the cause of chaos; irresponsible people will indulge in sensuality indiscriminately, thereby filling human society with progeny that is unwanted, untrained and unmanageable (03.24). Therefore, to maintain the world, the wise and detached set an example of dutifulness for the unwise and attached (03.25). Don’t disturb the unwise and the attached by actions or instructions that are too advanced for them — encourage them to act responsibly for progressing according to their level (03.26). 

Drawing Arjuna’s attention to the reality that different people are born with different natures based on the influence of the three modes, Krishna states that it is nature that makes people act; those who think themselves doers are both arrogant and ignorant (03.27). The wise understand that different natures require different duties; therefore, they do their natural duties without attachment (03.28). Though the unwise may do their natural duties with attachment, the wise shouldn’t disturb them, because their dutifulness will gradually elevate them (03.29). Therefore, Arjuna should do his duty of fighting, while staying internally detached and spiritually conscious — and dedicating his work to Krishna (03.30). Those who faithfully and non-enviously harmonize with Krishna’s instructions will be liberated from karmic bondage (03.31). In contrast, those who don’t harmonize with Krishna’s instructions will end up with misdirected consciousness — even if they are knowledgeable, their knowledge will not help them (03.32).