ॐ श्री परमात्मने नमः।
अथ श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता ।
तृतीयोऽध्यायः - कर्मयोगः ॥
oṃ śrī paramātmane namaḥ.
atha śrīmadbhagavadgītā .
tṛtīyo'dhyāyaḥ - karmayogaḥ ..
Thus begins the third chapter of the holy Srimad Bhagavada Gita.
अर्जुन उवाच । / arjuna uvacha ।
ज्यायसी चेत्कर्मणस्ते मता बुद्धिर्जनार्दन ।
तत्किं कर्मणि घोरे मां नियोजयसि केशव ॥ 1 ॥
jyāyasī cetkarmaṇaste matā buddhirjanārdana .
tatkiṃ karmaṇi ghore māṃ niyojayasi keśava .. 1 ..
Arjuna said: O Janardana, O Kesava, why do You want to engage me in this ghastly warfare, if You think that intelligence is better than fruitive work?
Sanskrit Word |
Meaning |
Transliteration |
अर्जुन उवाच |
Arjuna said |
arjuna uvāca |
ज्यायसि |
better |
jyāyasi |
चेत् |
if |
cet |
कर्मणः |
than fruitive action |
karmaṇaḥ |
ते |
by You |
te |
मता |
is considered |
matā |
बुद्धिः |
intelligence |
buddhiḥ |
जनार्दन |
O KRiShNa |
janārdana |
तत् |
therefore |
tat |
किं |
why |
kiṃ |
कर्मणि |
in action |
karmaṇi |
घोरे |
ghastly |
ghore |
मां |
me |
māṃ |
नियोजयसि |
You are engaging |
niyojayasi |
केशव |
O KRiShNa. |
keśava |
Arjuna said: O Janardana, O Kesava, why do You want to engage me in this ghastly warfare, if You think that intelligence is better than fruitive work? |
व्यामिश्रेणेव वाक्येन बुद्धिं मोहयसीव मे ।
तदेकं वद निश्चित्य येन श्रेयोऽहमाप्नुयाम् ॥ 2 ॥
vyāmiśreṇeva vākyena buddhiṃ mohayasīva me .
tadekaṃ vada niścitya yena śreyo'hamāpnuyām .. 2 ..
My intelligence is bewildered by Your equivocal instructions. Therefore, please tell me decisively which will be most beneficial for me.
Sanskrit Word |
Meaning |
Transliteration |
व्यामिश्रेण |
by equivocal |
vyāmiśreṇa |
इव |
certainly |
iva |
वाक्येन |
words |
vākyena |
बुद्धिं |
intelligence |
buddhiṃ |
मोहयसि |
You are bewildering |
mohayasi |
इव |
certainly |
iva |
मे |
my |
me |
तत् |
therefore |
tat |
एकं |
only one |
ekaṃ |
वद |
please tell |
vada |
निश्चित्य |
ascertaining |
niścitya |
येन |
by which |
yena |
श्रेयः |
real benefit |
śreyaḥ |
अहं |
I |
ahaṃ |
आप्नुयां |
may have. |
āpnuyāṃ |
My intelligence is bewildered by Your equivocal instructions. Therefore, please tell me decisively which will be most beneficial for me. |
श्रीभगवानुवाच । / sribhagavanuvacha ।
लोकेऽस्मिन्द्विविधा निष्ठा पुरा प्रोक्ता मयानघ ।
ज्ञानयोगेन साङ्ख्यानां कर्मयोगेन योगिनाम् ॥ 3 ॥
loke'smindvividhā niṣṭhā purā proktā mayānagha .
jñānayogena sāṅkhyānāṃ karmayogena yoginām .. 3 ..
The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: O sinless Arjuna, I have already explained that there are two classes of men who try to realize the self. Some are inclined to understand it by empirical, philosophical speculation, and others by devotional service.
Sanskrit Word |
Meaning |
Transliteration |
श्रीभगवानुवाच |
the Supreme Personality of Godhead said |
śrībhagavānuvāca |
लोके |
in the world |
loke |
अस्मिन् |
this |
asmin |
द्विविधा |
two kinds of |
dvividhā |
निष्ठा |
faith |
niṣṭhā |
पुरा |
formerly |
purā |
प्रोक्ता |
were said |
proktā |
मया |
by Me |
mayā |
अनघ |
O sinless one |
anagha |
ज्ञानयोगेन |
by the linking process of knowledge |
jñānayogena |
साङ्ख्यानां |
of the empiric philosophers |
sāṅkhyānāṃ |
कर्मयोगेण |
by the linking process of devotion |
karmayogeṇa |
योगिनां |
of the devotees. |
yogināṃ |
The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: O sinless Arjuna, I have already explained that there are two classes of men who try to realize the self. Some are inclined to understand it by empirical, philosophical speculation, and others by devotional service. |
न कर्मणामनारम्भान्नैष्कर्म्यं पुरुषोऽश्नुते ।
न च सन्न्यसनादेव सिद्धिं समधिगच्छति ॥ 4 ॥
na karmaṇāmanārambhānnaiṣkarmyaṃ puruṣo'śnute .
na ca sannyasanādeva siddhiṃ samadhigacchati .. 4 ..
Not by merely abstaining from work can one achieve freedom from reaction, nor by renunciation alone can one attain perfection.
Sanskrit Word |
Meaning |
Transliteration |
न |
not |
na |
कर्मणां |
of prescribed duties |
karmaṇāṃ |
अनारम्भात् |
by nonperformance |
anārambhāt |
नैष्कर्म्यं |
freedom from reaction |
naiṣkarmyaṃ |
पुरुषः |
a man |
puruṣaḥ |
अश्नुते |
achieves |
aśnute |
न |
nor |
na |
च |
also |
ca |
संन्यासनात् |
by renunciation |
saṃnyāsanāt |
एव |
simply |
eva |
सिद्धिं |
success |
siddhiṃ |
समधिगच्छति |
attains. |
samadhigacchati |
Not by merely abstaining from work can one achieve freedom from reaction, nor by renunciation alone can one attain perfection. |
न हि कश्चित्क्षणमपि जातु तिष्ठत्यकर्मकृत् ।
कार्यते ह्यवशः कर्म सर्वः प्रकृतिजैर्गुणैः ॥ 5 ॥
na hi kaścitkṣaṇamapi jātu tiṣṭhatyakarmakṛt .
kāryate hyavaśaḥ karma sarvaḥ prakṛtijairguṇaiḥ .. 5 ..
Everyone is forced to act helplessly according to the qualities he has acquired from the modes of material nature; therefore no one can refrain from doing something, not even for a moment.
Sanskrit Word |
Meaning |
Transliteration |
न |
nor |
na |
हि |
certainly |
hi |
कश्चित् |
anyone |
kaścit |
क्षणं |
a moment |
kṣaṇaṃ |
अपि |
also |
api |
जातु |
at any time |
jātu |
तिष्ठति |
remains |
tiṣṭhati |
अकर्मकृत् |
without doing something |
akarmakṛt |
कार्यते |
is forced to do |
kāryate |
हि |
certainly |
hi |
अवशः |
helplessly |
avaśaḥ |
कर्म |
work |
karma |
सर्वः |
all |
sarvaḥ |
प्रकृतिजैः |
born of the modes of material nature |
prakṛtijaiḥ |
गुणैः |
by the qualities. |
guṇaiḥ |
Everyone is forced to act helplessly according to the qualities he has acquired from the modes of material nature; therefore no one can refrain from doing something, not even for a moment. |
कर्मेन्द्रियाणि संयम्य य आस्ते मनसा स्मरन् ।
इन्द्रियार्थान्विमूढात्मा मिथ्याचारः स उच्यते ॥ 6 ॥
karmendriyāṇi saṃyamya ya āste manasā smaran .
indriyārthānvimūḍhātmā mithyācāraḥ sa ucyate .. 6 ..
One who restrains the senses of action but whose mind dwells on sense objects certainly deludes himself and is called a pretender.
Sanskrit Word |
Meaning |
Transliteration |
कर्मेन्द्रियाणि |
the five working sense organs |
karmendriyāṇi |
संयम्य |
controlling |
saṃyamya |
यः |
anyone who |
yaḥ |
आस्ते |
remains |
āste |
मनसा |
by the mind |
manasā |
स्मरन् |
thinking of |
smaran |
इन्द्रियार्थान् |
sense objects |
indriyārthān |
विमूढ |
foolish |
vimūḍha |
आत्मा |
soul |
ātmā |
मिथ्याचारः |
pretender |
mithyācāraḥ |
सः |
he |
saḥ |
उच्यते |
is called. |
ucyate |
One who restrains the senses of action but whose mind dwells on sense objects certainly deludes himself and is called a pretender. |
यस्त्विन्द्रियाणि मनसा नियम्यारभतेऽर्जुन ।
कर्मेन्द्रियैः कर्मयोगमसक्तः स विशिष्यते ॥ 7 ॥
yastvindriyāṇi manasā niyamyārabhate'rjuna .
karmendriyaiḥ karmayogamasaktaḥ sa viśiṣyate .. 7 ..
On the other hand, if a sincere person tries to control the active senses by the mind and begins karma-yoga [in Krsna consciousness] without attachment, he is by far superior.
Sanskrit Word |
Meaning |
Transliteration |
यः |
one who |
yaḥ |
तु |
but |
tu |
इन्द्रियाणि |
the senses |
indriyāṇi |
मनसा |
by the mind |
manasā |
नियम्य |
regulating |
niyamya |
आरभते |
begins |
ārabhate |
अर्जुन |
O Arjuna |
arjuna |
कर्मेन्द्रियैः |
by the active sense organs |
karmendriyaiḥ |
कर्मयोगं |
devotion |
karmayogaṃ |
असक्तः |
without attachment |
asaktaḥ |
सः |
he |
saḥ |
विशिष्यते |
is by far the better. |
viśiṣyate |
On the other hand, if a sincere person tries to control the active senses by the mind and begins karma-yoga [in Krsna consciousness] without attachment, he is by far superior. |
नियतं कुरु कर्म त्वं कर्म ज्यायो ह्यकर्मणः ।
शरीरयात्रापि च ते न प्रसिद्ध्येदकर्मणः ॥ 8 ॥
niyataṃ kuru karma tvaṃ karma jyāyo hyakarmaṇaḥ .
śarīrayātrāpi ca te na prasiddhyedakarmaṇaḥ .. 8 ..
Perform your prescribed duty, for doing so is better than not working. One cannot even maintain one’s physical body without work.
Sanskrit Word |
Meaning |
Transliteration |
नियतं |
prescribed |
niyataṃ |
कुरु |
do |
kuru |
कर्म |
duties |
karma |
त्वं |
you |
tvaṃ |
कर्म |
work |
karma |
ज्यायाः |
better |
jyāyāḥ |
हि |
certainly |
hi |
अकर्मणः |
than no work |
akarmaṇaḥ |
शरीर |
bodily |
śarīra |
यात्रा |
maintenance |
yātrā |
अपि |
even |
api |
च |
also |
ca |
ते |
your |
te |
न |
never |
na |
प्रसिद्ध्येत् |
is effected |
prasiddhyet |
अकर्मणः |
without work. |
akarmaṇaḥ |
Perform your prescribed duty, for doing so is better than not working. One cannot even maintain one’s physical body without work. |
यज्ञार्थात्कर्मणोऽन्यत्र लोकोऽयं कर्मबन्धनः ।
तदर्थं कर्म कौन्तेय मुक्तसङ्गः समाचर ॥ 9 ॥
yajñārthātkarmaṇo'nyatra loko'yaṃ karmabandhanaḥ .
tadarthaṃ karma kaunteya muktasaṅgaḥ samācara .. 9 ..
Work done as a sacrifice for Visnu has to be performed; otherwise work causes bondage in this material world. Therefore, O son of Kunti, perform your prescribed duties for His satisfaction, and in that way you will always remain free from bondage.
Sanskrit Word |
Meaning |
Transliteration |
यज्ञार्थात् |
done only for the sake of Yajna, or Visnu |
yajñārthāt |
कर्मणः |
than work |
karmaṇaḥ |
अन्यत्र |
otherwise |
anyatra |
लोकः |
world |
lokaḥ |
अयं |
this |
ayaṃ |
कर्मबन्धनः |
bondage by work |
karmabandhanaḥ |
तत् |
of Him |
tat |
अर्थं |
for the sake |
arthaṃ |
कर्म |
work |
karma |
कौन्तेय |
O son of Kunti |
kaunteya |
मुक्तसङ्गः |
liberated from association |
muktasaṅgaḥ |
समाचर |
do perfectly. |
samācara |
Work done as a sacrifice for Visnu has to be performed; otherwise work causes bondage in this material world. Therefore, O son of Kunti, perform your prescribed duties for His satisfaction, and in that way you will always remain free from bondage. |
सहयज्ञाः प्रजाः सृष्ट्वा पुरोवाच प्रजापतिः ।
अनेन प्रसविष्यध्वमेष वोऽस्त्विष्टकामधुक् ॥ 10 ॥
sahayajñāḥ prajāḥ sṛṣṭvā purovāca prajāpatiḥ .
anena prasaviṣyadhvameṣa vo'stviṣṭakāmadhuk .. 10 ..
In the beginning of creation, the Lord of all creatures sent forth generations of men and demigods, along with sacrifices for Visnu, and blessed them by saying, “Be thou happy by this yajña [sacrifice] because its performance will bestow upon you everything desirable for living happily and achieving liberation.”
Sanskrit Word |
Meaning |
Transliteration |
सह |
along with |
saha |
यज्ञाः |
sacrifices |
yajñāḥ |
प्रजाः |
generations |
prajāḥ |
सृष्ट्वा |
creating |
sṛṣṭvā |
पुरा |
anciently |
purā |
उवाच |
said |
uvāca |
प्रजापतिः |
the Lord of creatures |
prajāpatiḥ |
अनेन |
by this |
anena |
प्रसविष्यध्वं |
be more and more prosperous |
prasaviṣyadhvaṃ |
एषः |
this |
eṣaḥ |
वः |
your |
vaḥ |
अस्तु |
let it be |
astu |
इष्ट |
of all desirable things |
iṣṭa |
कामधुक् |
bestower. |
kāmadhuk |
In the beginning of creation, the Lord of all creatures sent forth generations of men and demigods, along with sacrifices for Visnu, and blessed them by saying, “Be thou happy by this yajña [sacrifice] because its performance will bestow upon you everything desirable for living happily and achieving liberation.” |
देवान्भावयतानेन ते देवा भावयन्तु वः ।
परस्परं भावयन्तः श्रेयः परमवाप्स्यथ ॥ 11 ॥
devānbhāvayatānena te devā bhāvayantu vaḥ .
parasparaṃ bhāvayantaḥ śreyaḥ paramavāpsyatha .. 11 ..
The demigods, being pleased by sacrifices, will also please you, and thus, by cooperation between men and demigods, prosperity will reign for all.
Sanskrit Word |
Meaning |
Transliteration |
देवान् |
demigods |
devān |
भावयता |
having pleased |
bhāvayatā |
अनेन |
by this sacrifice |
anena |
ते |
those |
te |
देवाः |
demigods |
devāḥ |
भावयन्तु |
will please |
bhāvayantu |
वः |
you |
vaḥ |
परस्परं |
mutually |
parasparaṃ |
भावयन्तः |
pleasing one another |
bhāvayantaḥ |
श्रेयः |
benediction |
śreyaḥ |
परं |
the supreme |
paraṃ |
अवाप्स्यथ |
you will achieve. |
avāpsyatha |
The demigods, being pleased by sacrifices, will also please you, and thus, by cooperation between men and demigods, prosperity will reign for all. |
इष्टान्भोगान्हि वो देवा दास्यन्ते यज्ञभाविताः ।
तैर्दत्तानप्रदायैभ्यो यो भुङ्क्ते स्तेन एव सः ॥ 12 ॥
iṣṭānbhogānhi vo devā dāsyante yajñabhāvitāḥ .
tairdattānapradāyaibhyo yo bhuṅkte stena eva saḥ .. 12 ..
In charge of the various necessities of life, the demigods, being satisfied by the performance of yajña [sacrifice], will supply all necessities to you. But he who enjoys such gifts without offering them to the demigods in return is certainly a thief.
Sanskrit Word |
Meaning |
Transliteration |
इष्टान् |
desired |
iṣṭān |
भोगान् |
necessities of life |
bhogān |
हि |
certainly |
hi |
वः |
unto you |
vaḥ |
देवाः |
the demigods |
devāḥ |
दास्यन्ते |
will award |
dāsyante |
यज्ञभाविताः |
being satisfied by the performance of sacrifices |
yajñabhāvitāḥ |
तैः |
by them |
taiḥ |
दत्तान् |
things given |
dattān |
अप्रदाय |
without offering |
apradāya |
एभ्यः |
to these demigods |
ebhyaḥ |
यः |
he who |
yaḥ |
भुङ्क्ते |
enjoys |
bhuṅkte |
स्तेनः |
thief |
stenaḥ |
एव |
certainly |
eva |
सः |
he. |
saḥ |
In charge of the various necessities of life, the demigods, being satisfied by the performance of yajña [sacrifice], will supply all necessities to you. But he who enjoys such gifts without offering them to the demigods in return is certainly a thief. |
यज्ञशिष्टाशिनः सन्तो मुच्यन्ते सर्वकिल्बिषैः ।
भुञ्जते ते त्वघं पापा ये पचन्त्यात्मकारणात् ॥ 13 ॥
yajñaśiṣṭāśinaḥ santo mucyante sarvakilbiṣaiḥ .
bhuñjate te tvaghaṃ pāpā ye pacantyātmakāraṇāt .. 13 ..
The devotees of the Lord are released from all kinds of sins because they eat food which is offered first for sacrifice. Others, who prepare food for personal sense enjoyment, verily eat only sin.
Sanskrit Word |
Meaning |
Transliteration |
यज्ञशिष्टा |
of food taken after performance of yajna |
yajñaśiṣṭā |
आसिनः |
eaters |
āsinaḥ |
सन्तः |
the devotees |
santaḥ |
मुच्यन्ते |
get relief |
mucyante |
सर्व |
all kinds of |
sarva |
किल्बिषैः |
from sins |
kilbiṣaiḥ |
भुञ्जते |
enjoy |
bhuñjate |
ते |
they |
te |
तु |
but |
tu |
अघं |
grievous sins |
aghaṃ |
पापाः |
sinners |
pāpāḥ |
ये |
who |
ye |
पचन्ति |
prepare food |
pacanti |
आत्मकारणात् |
for sense enjoyment. |
ātmakāraṇāt |
The devotees of the Lord are released from all kinds of sins because they eat food which is offered first for sacrifice. Others, who prepare food for personal sense enjoyment, verily eat only sin. |
अन्नाद्भवन्ति भूतानि पर्जन्यादन्नसम्भवः ।
यज्ञाद्भवति पर्जन्यो यज्ञः कर्मसमुद्भवः ॥ 14 ॥
annādbhavanti bhūtāni parjanyādannasambhavaḥ .
yajñādbhavati parjanyo yajñaḥ karmasamudbhavaḥ .. 14 ..
All living bodies subsist on food grains, which are produced from rains. Rains are produced by performance of yajña [sacrifice], and yajña is born of prescribed duties.
Sanskrit Word |
Meaning |
Transliteration |
अन्नात् |
from grains |
annāt |
भवन्ति |
grow |
bhavanti |
भूतानि |
the material bodies |
bhūtāni |
पर्जन्यात् |
from rains |
parjanyāt |
अन्न |
of food grains |
anna |
सम्भवः |
production |
sambhavaḥ |
यज्ञात् |
from the performance of sacrifice |
yajñāt |
भवति |
becomes possible |
bhavati |
पर्जन्यः |
rain |
parjanyaḥ |
यज्ञः |
performance of yajna |
yajñaḥ |
कर्म |
prescribed duties |
karma |
समुद्भवः |
born of. |
samudbhavaḥ |
All living bodies subsist on food grains, which are produced from rains. Rains are produced by performance of yajña [sacrifice], and yajña is born of prescribed duties. |
कर्म ब्रह्मोद्भवं विद्धि ब्रह्माक्षरसमुद्भवम् ।
तस्मात्सर्वगतं ब्रह्म नित्यं यज्ञे प्रतिष्ठितम् ॥ 15 ॥
karma brahmodbhavaṃ viddhi brahmākṣarasamudbhavam .
tasmātsarvagataṃ brahma nityaṃ yajñe pratiṣṭhitam .. 15 ..
Regulated activities are prescribed in the Vedas, and the Vedas are directly manifested from the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Consequently the all-pervading Transcendence is eternally situated in acts of sacrifice
Sanskrit Word |
Meaning |
Transliteration |
कर्म |
work |
karma |
ब्रह्म |
from the Vedas |
brahma |
उद्भवं |
produced |
udbhavaṃ |
विद्धि |
you should know |
viddhi |
ब्रह्म |
the Vedas |
brahma |
अक्षर |
from the Supreme Brahman (Personality of Godhead) |
akṣara |
समुद्भवं |
directly manifested |
samudbhavaṃ |
तस्मात् |
therefore |
tasmāt |
सर्वगतं |
all-pervading |
sarvagataṃ |
ब्रह्म |
transcendence |
brahma |
नित्यं |
eternally |
nityaṃ |
यज्ञे |
in sacrifice |
yajñe |
प्रतिष्ठितं |
situated. |
pratiṣṭhitaṃ |
Regulated activities are prescribed in the Vedas, and the Vedas are directly manifested from the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Consequently the all-pervading Transcendence is eternally situated in acts of sacrifice |
एवं प्रवर्तितं चक्रं नानुवर्तयतीह यः ।
अघायुरिन्द्रियारामो मोघं पार्थ स जीवति ॥ 16 ॥
evaṃ pravartitaṃ cakraṃ nānuvartayatīha yaḥ .
aghāyurindriyārāmo moghaṃ pārtha sa jīvati .. 16 ..
My dear Arjuna, one who does not follow in human life the cycle of sacrifice thus established by the Vedas certainly leads a life full of sin. Living only for the satisfaction of the senses, such a person lives in vain.
Sanskrit Word |
Meaning |
Transliteration |
एवं |
thus |
evaṃ |
प्रवर्तितं |
established by the Vedas |
pravartitaṃ |
चक्रं |
cycle |
cakraṃ |
न |
does not |
na |
अनुवर्तयति |
adopt |
anuvartayati |
इह |
in this life |
iha |
यः |
one who |
yaḥ |
अघायुः |
whose life is full of sins |
aghāyuḥ |
इन्द्रियारामः |
satisfied in sense gratification |
indriyārāmaḥ |
मोघं |
uselessly |
moghaṃ |
पार्थ |
O son of Pritha (Arjuna) |
pārtha |
सः |
he |
saḥ |
जीवति |
lives. |
jīvati |
My dear Arjuna, one who does not follow in human life the cycle of sacrifice thus established by the Vedas certainly leads a life full of sin. Living only for the satisfaction of the senses, such a person lives in vain. |
यस्त्वात्मरतिरेव स्यादात्मतृप्तश्च मानवः ।
आत्मन्येव च सन्तुष्टस्तस्य कार्यं न विद्यते ॥ 17 ॥
yastvātmaratireva syādātmatṛptaśca mānavaḥ .
ātmanyeva ca santuṣṭastasya kāryaṃ na vidyate .. 17 ..
But for one who takes pleasure in the Self, whose human life is one of self-realization, and who is satisfied in the Self only, fully satiated – for him there is no duty.
Sanskrit Word |
Meaning |
Transliteration |
यः |
one who |
yaḥ |
तु |
but |
tu |
आत्मरतिः |
taking pleasure in the self |
ātmaratiḥ |
एव |
certainly |
eva |
स्यात् |
remains |
syāt |
आत्मतृप्तः |
self-illuminated |
ātmatṛptaḥ |
च |
and |
ca |
मानवः |
a man |
mānavaḥ |
आत्मनि |
in himself |
ātmani |
एव |
only |
eva |
च |
and |
ca |
सन्तुष्टः |
perfectly satiated |
santuṣṭaḥ |
तस्य |
his |
tasya |
कार्यं |
duty |
kāryaṃ |
न |
does not |
na |
विद्यते |
exist. |
vidyate |
But for one who takes pleasure in the Self, whose human life is one of self-realization, and who is satisfied in the Self only, fully satiated – for him there is no duty. |
नैव तस्य कृतेनार्थो नाकृतेनेह कश्चन ।
न चास्य सर्वभूतेषु कश्चिदर्थव्यपाश्रयः ॥ 18 ॥
naiva tasya kṛtenārtho nākṛteneha kaścana .
na cāsya sarvabhūteṣu kaścidarthavyapāśrayaḥ .. 18 ..
A self-realized man has no purpose to fulfill in the discharge of his prescribed duties, nor has he any reason not to perform such work. Nor has he any need to depend on any other living being.
Sanskrit Word |
Meaning |
Transliteration |
तस्य |
his |
tasya |
न |
never |
na |
एव |
certainly |
eva |
कृतेन |
by discharge of duty |
kṛtena |
अर्थः |
purpose |
arthaḥ |
न |
nor |
na |
अकृतेन |
without discharge of duty |
akṛtena |
इह |
in this world |
iha |
कश्चन |
whatever |
kaścana |
न |
never |
na |
च |
and |
ca |
अस्य |
of him |
asya |
सर्वभूतेषु |
among all living beings |
sarvabhūteṣu |
कश्चित् |
any |
kaścit |
अर्थ |
purpose |
artha |
व्यपाश्रयः |
taking shelter of. |
vyapāśrayaḥ |
A self-realized man has no purpose to fulfill in the discharge of his prescribed duties, nor has he any reason not to perform such work. Nor has he any need to depend on any other living being. |
तस्मादसक्तः सततं कार्यं कर्म समाचर ।
असक्तो ह्याचरन्कर्म परमाप्नोति पूरुषः ॥ 19 ॥
tasmādasaktaḥ satataṃ kāryaṃ karma samācara .
asakto hyācarankarma paramāpnoti pūruṣaḥ .. 19 ..
Therefore, without being attached to the fruits of activities, one should act as a matter of duty, for by working without attachment one attains the Supreme.
Sanskrit Word |
Meaning |
Transliteration |
तस्मात् |
therefore |
tasmāt |
असक्तः |
without attachment |
asaktaḥ |
सततं |
constantly |
satataṃ |
कार्यं |
as duty |
kāryaṃ |
कर्म |
work |
karma |
समाचर |
perform |
samācara |
असक्तः |
unattached |
asaktaḥ |
हि |
certainly |
hi |
आचरान् |
performing |
ācarān |
कर्म |
work |
karma |
परं |
the Supreme |
paraṃ |
आप्नोति |
achieves |
āpnoti |
पूरुषः |
a man. |
pūruṣaḥ |
Therefore, without being attached to the fruits of activities, one should act as a matter of duty, for by working without attachment one attains the Supreme. |
कर्मणैव हि संसिद्धिमास्थिता जनकादयः ।
लोकसङ्ग्रहमेवापि सम्पश्यन्कर्तुमर्हसि ॥ 20 ॥
karmaṇaiva hi saṃsiddhimāsthitā janakādayaḥ .
lokasaṅgrahamevāpi sampaśyankartumarhasi .. 20 ..
Kings such as Janaka attained perfection solely by performance of prescribed duties. Therefore, just for the sake of educating the people in general, you should perform your work.
Sanskrit Word |
Meaning |
Transliteration |
कर्मणा |
by work |
karmaṇā |
एव |
even |
eva |
हि |
certainly |
hi |
संसिद्धिं |
in perfection |
saṃsiddhiṃ |
आस्थिताः |
situated |
āsthitāḥ |
जनकादयाः |
Janaka and other kings |
janakādayāḥ |
लोकसंग्रहं |
the people in general |
lokasaṃgrahaṃ |
एवापि |
also |
evāpi |
सम्पश्यन् |
considering |
sampaśyan |
कर्तुं |
to act |
kartuṃ |
अर्हसि |
you deserve. |
arhasi |
Kings such as Janaka attained perfection solely by performance of prescribed duties. Therefore, just for the sake of educating the people in general, you should perform your work. |
यद्यदाचरति श्रेष्ठस्तत्तदेवेतरो जनः ।
स यत्प्रमाणं कुरुते लोकस्तदनुवर्तते ॥ 21 ॥
yadyadācarati śreṣṭhastattadevetaro janaḥ .
sa yatpramāṇaṃ kurute lokastadanuvartate .. 21 ..
Whatever action a great man performs, common men follow. And whatever standards he sets by exemplary acts, all the world pursues.
Sanskrit Word |
Meaning |
Transliteration |
यद्यत् |
whatever |
yadyat |
आचरति |
he does |
ācarati |
श्रेष्ठः |
a respectable leader |
śreṣṭhaḥ |
तत् |
that |
tat |
तत् |
and that alone |
tat |
एव |
certainly |
eva |
इतरः |
common |
itaraḥ |
जनः |
person |
janaḥ |
सः |
he |
saḥ |
यत् |
whichever |
yat |
प्रमाणं |
example |
pramāṇaṃ |
कुरुते |
does perform |
kurute |
लोकाः |
all the world |
lokāḥ |
तत् |
that |
tat |
अनुवर्तते |
follows in the footsteps. |
anuvartate |
Whatever action a great man performs, common men follow. And whatever standards he sets by exemplary acts, all the world pursues. |
न मे पार्थास्ति कर्तव्यं त्रिषु लोकेषु किञ्चन ।
नानवाप्तमवाप्तव्यं वर्त एव च कर्मणि ॥ 22 ॥
na me pārthāsti kartavyaṃ triṣu lokeṣu kiñcana .
nānavāptamavāptavyaṃ varta eva ca karmaṇi .. 22 ..
O son of Prtha, there is no work prescribed for Me within all the three planetary systems. Nor am I in want of anything, nor have I a need to obtain anything – and yet I am engaged in prescribed duties.
Sanskrit Word |
Meaning |
Transliteration |
न |
not |
na |
मे |
Mine |
me |
पार्थ |
O son of Pritha |
pārtha |
अस्ति |
there is |
asti |
कर्तव्यं |
prescribed duty |
kartavyaṃ |
त्रिषु |
in the three |
triṣu |
लोकेषु |
planetary systems |
lokeṣu |
किञ्चन |
any |
kiñcana |
न |
nothing |
na |
अनवाप्तं |
wanted |
anavāptaṃ |
अवाप्तव्यं |
to be gained |
avāptavyaṃ |
वर्ते |
I am engaged |
varte |
एव |
certainly |
eva |
च |
also |
ca |
कर्मणि |
in prescribed duty. |
karmaṇi |
O son of Prtha, there is no work prescribed for Me within all the three planetary systems. Nor am I in want of anything, nor have I a need to obtain anything – and yet I am engaged in prescribed duties. |
यदि ह्यहं न वर्तेयं जातु कर्मण्यतन्द्रितः ।
मम वर्त्मानुवर्तन्ते मनुष्याः पार्थ सर्वशः ॥ 23 ॥
yadi hyahaṃ na varteyaṃ jātu karmaṇyatandritaḥ .
mama vartmānuvartante manuṣyāḥ pārtha sarvaśaḥ .. 23 ..
For if I ever failed to engage in carefully performing prescribed duties, O Partha, certainly all men would follow My path.
Sanskrit Word |
Meaning |
Transliteration |
यदि |
if |
yadi |
हि |
certainly |
hi |
अहं |
I |
ahaṃ |
न |
do not |
na |
वर्तेयं |
thus engage |
varteyaṃ |
जातु |
ever |
jātu |
कर्मणि |
in the performance of prescribed duties |
karmaṇi |
अतन्द्रितः |
with great care |
atandritaḥ |
मम |
My |
mama |
वर्त्म |
path |
vartma |
अनुवर्तन्ते |
would follow |
anuvartante |
मनुष्याः |
all men |
manuṣyāḥ |
पार्थ |
O son of Pritha |
pārtha |
सर्वशः |
in all respects. |
sarvaśaḥ |
For if I ever failed to engage in carefully performing prescribed duties, O Partha, certainly all men would follow My path. |
उत्सीदेयुरिमे लोका न कुर्यां कर्म चेदहम् ।
सङ्करस्य च कर्ता स्यामुपहन्यामिमाः प्रजाः ॥ 24 ॥
utsīdeyurime lokā na kuryāṃ karma cedaham .
saṅkarasya ca kartā syāmupahanyāmimāḥ prajāḥ .. 24 ..
If I did not perform prescribed duties, all these worlds would be put to ruination. I would be the cause of creating unwanted population, and I would thereby destroy the peace of all living beings.
Sanskrit Word |
Meaning |
Transliteration |
उत्सीदेयुः |
would be put into ruin |
utsīdeyuḥ |
इमे |
all these |
ime |
लोकाः |
worlds |
lokāḥ |
न |
not |
na |
कुर्यां |
I perform |
kuryāṃ |
कर्म |
prescribed duties |
karma |
चेत् |
if |
cet |
अहं |
I |
ahaṃ |
सङ्करस्य |
of unwanted population |
saṅkarasya |
च |
and |
ca |
कर्ता |
creator |
kartā |
स्यां |
would be |
syāṃ |
उपहन्यां |
would destroy |
upahanyāṃ |
इमाः |
all these |
imāḥ |
प्रजाः |
living entities. |
prajāḥ |
If I did not perform prescribed duties, all these worlds would be put to ruination. I would be the cause of creating unwanted population, and I would thereby destroy the peace of all living beings. |
सक्ताः कर्मण्यविद्वांसो यथा कुर्वन्ति भारत ।
कुर्याद्विद्वांस्तथासक्तश्चिकीर्षुर्लोकसङ्ग्रहम् ॥ 25 ॥
saktāḥ karmaṇyavidvāṃso yathā kurvanti bhārata .
kuryādvidvāṃstathāsaktaścikīrṣurlokasaṅgraham .. 25 ..
As the ignorant perform their duties with attachment to results, the learned may similarly act, but without attachment, for the sake of leading people on the right path.
Sanskrit Word |
Meaning |
Transliteration |
सक्ताः |
being attached |
saktāḥ |
कर्मणि |
in prescribed duties |
karmaṇi |
अविद्वांसः |
the ignorant |
avidvāṃsaḥ |
यथा |
as much as |
yathā |
कुर्वन्ति |
they do |
kurvanti |
भारत |
O descendant of Bharata |
bhārata |
कुर्यात् |
must do |
kuryāt |
विद्वान् |
the learned |
vidvān |
तथा |
thus |
tathā |
असक्तः |
without attachment |
asaktaḥ |
चिकीर्षुः |
desiring to lead |
cikīrṣuḥ |
लोकसंग्रहं |
the people in general. |
lokasaṃgrahaṃ |
As the ignorant perform their duties with attachment to results, the learned may similarly act, but without attachment, for the sake of leading people on the right path. |
न बुद्धिभेदं जनयेदज्ञानां कर्मसङ्गिनाम् ।
जोषयेत्सर्वकर्माणि विद्वान्युक्तः समाचरन् ॥ 26 ॥
na buddhibhedaṃ janayedajñānāṃ karmasaṅginām .
joṣayetsarvakarmāṇi vidvānyuktaḥ samācaran .. 26 ..
So as not to disrupt the minds of ignorant men attached to the fruitive results of prescribed duties, a learned person should not induce them to stop work. Rather, by working in the spirit of devotion, he should engage them in all sorts of activities [for the gradual development of Krsna consciousness].
Sanskrit Word |
Meaning |
Transliteration |
न |
not |
na |
बुद्धिभेदं |
disruption of intelligence |
buddhibhedaṃ |
जनयेत् |
he should cause |
janayet |
अज्ञानां |
of the foolish |
ajñānāṃ |
कर्मसङ्गिनां |
who are attached to fruitive work |
karmasaṅgināṃ |
जोषयेत् |
he should dovetail |
joṣayet |
सर्व |
all |
sarva |
कर्माणि |
work |
karmāṇi |
विद्वान् |
a learned person |
vidvān |
युक्तः |
engaged |
yuktaḥ |
समाचरन् |
practicing. |
samācaran |
So as not to disrupt the minds of ignorant men attached to the fruitive results of prescribed duties, a learned person should not induce them to stop work. Rather, by working in the spirit of devotion, he should engage them in all sorts of activities [for the gradual development of Krsna consciousness]. |
प्रकृतेः क्रियमाणानि गुणैः कर्माणि सर्वशः ।
अहङ्कारविमूढात्मा कर्ताहमिति मन्यते ॥ 27 ॥
prakṛteḥ kriyamāṇāni guṇaiḥ karmāṇi sarvaśaḥ .
ahaṅkāravimūḍhātmā kartāhamiti manyate .. 27 ..
The spirit soul bewildered by the influence of false ego thinks himself the doer of activities that are in actuality carried out by the three modes of material nature.
Sanskrit Word |
Meaning |
Transliteration |
प्रकृतेः |
of material nature |
prakṛteḥ |
क्रियमाणानि |
being done |
kriyamāṇāni |
गुणैः |
by the modes |
guṇaiḥ |
कर्माणि |
activities |
karmāṇi |
सर्वशः |
all kinds of |
sarvaśaḥ |
अहङ्कारविमूढ |
bewildered by false ego |
ahaṅkāravimūḍha |
आत्मा |
the spirit soul |
ātmā |
कर्ता |
doer |
kartā |
अहं |
I |
ahaṃ |
इति |
thus |
iti |
मन्यते |
he thinks. |
manyate |
The spirit soul bewildered by the influence of false ego thinks himself the doer of activities that are in actuality carried out by the three modes of material nature. |
तत्त्ववित्तु महाबाहो गुणकर्मविभागयोः ।
गुणा गुणेषु वर्तन्त इति मत्वा न सज्जते ॥ 28 ॥
tattvavittu mahābāho guṇakarmavibhāgayoḥ .
guṇā guṇeṣu vartanta iti matvā na sajjate .. 28 ..
One who is in knowledge of the Absolute Truth, O mighty-armed, does not engage himself in the senses and sense gratification, knowing well the differences between work in devotion and work for fruitive results.
Sanskrit Word |
Meaning |
Transliteration |
मत्वा |
thinking |
matvā |
तत्त्ववित् |
the knower of the Absolute Truth |
tattvavit |
तु |
but |
tu |
महाबाहो |
O mighty-armed one |
mahābāho |
गुणकर्म |
of works under material influence |
guṇakarma |
विभागयोः |
differences |
vibhāgayoḥ |
गुणाः |
senses |
guṇāḥ |
गुणेषु |
in sense gratification |
guṇeṣu |
वर्तन्ते |
are being engaged |
vartante |
इति |
thus |
iti |
न |
never |
na |
सज्जते |
becomes attached. |
sajjate |
One who is in knowledge of the Absolute Truth, O mighty-armed, does not engage himself in the senses and sense gratification, knowing well the differences between work in devotion and work for fruitive results. |
प्रकृतेर्गुणसम्मूढाः सज्जन्ते गुणकर्मसु ।
तानकृत्स्नविदो मन्दान्कृत्स्नविन्न विचालयेत् ॥ 29 ॥
prakṛterguṇasammūḍhāḥ sajjante guṇakarmasu .
tānakṛtsnavido mandānkṛtsnavinna vicālayet .. 29 ..
Bewildered by the modes of material nature, the ignorant fully engage themselves in material activities and become attached. But the wise should not unsettle them, although these duties are inferior due to the performers’ lack of knowledge.
Sanskrit Word |
Meaning |
Transliteration |
प्रकृतेः |
of material nature |
prakṛteḥ |
गुण |
by the modes |
guṇa |
सम्मूढाः |
befooled by material identification |
sammūḍhāḥ |
सज्जन्ते |
they become engaged |
sajjante |
गुणकर्मसु |
in material activities |
guṇakarmasu |
तान् |
those |
tān |
अकृत्स्नविदाः |
persons with a poor fund of knowledge |
akṛtsnavidāḥ |
मन्दान् |
lazy to understand self-realization |
mandān |
कृत्स्नवित् |
one who is in factual knowledge |
kṛtsnavit |
न |
not |
na |
विचालयेत् |
should try to agitate. |
vicālayet |
Bewildered by the modes of material nature, the ignorant fully engage themselves in material activities and become attached. But the wise should not unsettle them, although these duties are inferior due to the performers’ lack of knowledge. |
मयि सर्वाणि कर्माणि सन्न्यस्याध्यात्मचेतसा ।
निराशीर्निर्ममो भूत्वा युध्यस्व विगतज्वरः ॥ 30 ॥
mayi sarvāṇi karmāṇi sannyasyādhyātmacetasā .
nirāśīrnirmamo bhūtvā yudhyasva vigatajvaraḥ .. 30 ..
Therefore, O Arjuna, surrendering all your works unto Me, with full knowledge of Me, without desires for profit, with no claims to proprietorship, and free from lethargy, fight.
Sanskrit Word |
Meaning |
Transliteration |
मयि |
unto Me |
mayi |
सर्वाणि |
all sorts of |
sarvāṇi |
कर्माणि |
activities |
karmāṇi |
संन्यस्य |
giving up completely |
saṃnyasya |
अध्यात्म |
with full knowledge of the self |
adhyātma |
चेतसा |
by consciousness |
cetasā |
निराशीः |
without desire for profit |
nirāśīḥ |
निर्ममः |
without ownership |
nirmamaḥ |
भूत्वा |
so being |
bhūtvā |
युध्यस्व |
fight |
yudhyasva |
विगतज्वरः |
without being lethargic. |
vigatajvaraḥ |
Therefore, O Arjuna, surrendering all your works unto Me, with full knowledge of Me, without desires for profit, with no claims to proprietorship, and free from lethargy, fight. |
ये मे मतमिदं नित्यमनुतिष्ठन्ति मानवाः ।
श्रद्धावन्तोऽनसूयन्तो मुच्यन्ते तेऽपि कर्मभिः ॥ 31 ॥
ye me matamidaṃ nityamanutiṣṭhanti mānavāḥ .
śraddhāvanto'nasūyanto mucyante te'pi karmabhiḥ .. 31 ..
Those persons who execute their duties according to My injunctions and who follow this teaching faithfully, without envy, become free from the bondage of fruitive actions.
Sanskrit Word |
Meaning |
Transliteration |
ये |
those who |
ye |
मे |
My |
me |
मतं |
injunctions |
mataṃ |
इदं |
these |
idaṃ |
नित्यं |
as an eternal function |
nityaṃ |
अनुतिष्ठन्ति |
execute regularly |
anutiṣṭhanti |
मानवाः |
human beings |
mānavāḥ |
श्रद्धावन्तः |
with faith and devotion |
śraddhāvantaḥ |
अनसूयन्तः |
without envy |
anasūyantaḥ |
मुच्यन्ते |
become free |
mucyante |
ते |
all of them |
te |
अपि |
even |
api |
कर्मभिः |
from the bondage of the law of fruitive actions. |
karmabhiḥ |
Those persons who execute their duties according to My injunctions and who follow this teaching faithfully, without envy, become free from the bondage of fruitive actions. |
ये त्वेतदभ्यसूयन्तो नानुतिष्ठन्ति मे मतम् ।
सर्वज्ञानविमूढांस्तान्विद्धि नष्टानचेतसः ॥ 32 ॥
ye tvetadabhyasūyanto nānutiṣṭhanti me matam .
sarvajñānavimūḍhāṃstānviddhi naṣṭānacetasaḥ .. 32 ..
But those who, out of envy, disregard these teachings and do not follow them regularly are to be considered bereft of all knowledge, befooled, and ruined in their endeavors for perfection.
Sanskrit Word |
Meaning |
Transliteration |
ये |
those |
ye |
तु |
however |
tu |
एतत् |
this |
etat |
अभ्यसूयन्तः |
out of envy |
abhyasūyantaḥ |
न |
do not |
na |
अनुतिष्ठन्ति |
regularly perform |
anutiṣṭhanti |
मे |
My |
me |
मतं |
injunction |
mataṃ |
सर्वज्ञान |
in all sorts of knowledge |
sarvajñāna |
विमूढान् |
perfectly befooled |
vimūḍhān |
तान् |
they are |
tān |
विद्धि |
know it well |
viddhi |
नष्टान् |
all ruined |
naṣṭān |
अचेतसः |
without KRiShNa consciousness. |
acetasaḥ |
But those who, out of envy, disregard these teachings and do not follow them regularly are to be considered bereft of all knowledge, befooled, and ruined in their endeavors for perfection. |
सदृशं चेष्टते स्वस्याः प्रकृतेर्ज्ञानवानपि ।
प्रकृतिं यान्ति भूतानि निग्रहः किं करिष्यति ॥ 33 ॥
sadṛśaṃ ceṣṭate svasyāḥ prakṛterjñānavānapi .
prakṛtiṃ yānti bhūtāni nigrahaḥ kiṃ kariṣyati .. 33 ..
Even a man of knowledge acts according to his own nature, for everyone follows the nature he has acquired from the three modes. What can repression accomplish?
Sanskrit Word |
Meaning |
Transliteration |
सदृशं |
accordingly |
sadṛśaṃ |
चेष्टते |
tries |
ceṣṭate |
स्वस्यः |
by his own |
svasyaḥ |
प्रकृतेः |
modes of nature |
prakṛteḥ |
ज्ञानवान् |
learned |
jñānavān |
अपि |
although |
api |
प्रकृतिं |
nature |
prakṛtiṃ |
यान्ति |
undergo |
yānti |
भूतानी |
all living entities |
bhūtānī |
निग्रहः |
repression |
nigrahaḥ |
किं |
what |
kiṃ |
करिष्यति |
can do. |
kariṣyati |
Even a man of knowledge acts according to his own nature, for everyone follows the nature he has acquired from the three modes. What can repression accomplish? |
इन्द्रियस्येन्द्रियस्यार्थे रागद्वेषौ व्यवस्थितौ ।
तयोर्न वशमागच्छेत्तौ ह्यस्य परिपन्थिनौ ॥ 34 ॥
indriyasyendriyasyārthe rāgadveṣau vyavasthitau .
tayorna vaśamāgacchettau hyasya paripanthinau .. 34 ..
There are principles to regulate attachment and aversion pertaining to the senses and their objects. One should not come under the control of such attachment and aversion, because they are stumbling blocks on the path of self-realization.
Sanskrit Word |
Meaning |
Transliteration |
इन्द्रियस्य |
of the senses |
indriyasya |
इन्द्रियस्यार्थे |
in the sense objects |
indriyasyārthe |
राग |
attachment |
rāga |
द्वेषौ |
also detachment |
dveṣau |
व्यवस्थितौ |
put under regulations |
vyavasthitau |
तयोः |
of them |
tayoḥ |
न |
never |
na |
वशं |
control |
vaśaṃ |
आगच्छेत् |
one should come |
āgacchet |
तौ |
those |
tau |
हि |
certainly |
hi |
अस्य |
his |
asya |
परिपन्थिनौ |
stumbling blocks. |
paripanthinau |
There are principles to regulate attachment and aversion pertaining to the senses and their objects. One should not come under the control of such attachment and aversion, because they are stumbling blocks on the path of self-realization. |
श्रेयान्स्वधर्मो विगुणः परधर्मात्स्वनुष्ठितात् ।
स्वधर्मे निधनं श्रेयः परधर्मो भयावहः ॥ 35 ॥
śreyānsvadharmo viguṇaḥ paradharmātsvanuṣṭhitāt .
svadharme nidhanaṃ śreyaḥ paradharmo bhayāvahaḥ .. 35 ..
It is far better to discharge one’s prescribed duties, even though faultily, than another’s duties perfectly. Destruction in the course of performing one’s own duty is better than engaging in another’s duties, for to follow another’s path is dangerous.
Sanskrit Word |
Meaning |
Transliteration |
श्रेयान् |
far better |
śreyān |
स्वधर्मः |
one's prescribed duties |
svadharmaḥ |
विगुणः |
even faulty |
viguṇaḥ |
परधर्मात् |
than duties mentioned for others |
paradharmāt |
स्वनुष्ठितात् |
perfectly done |
svanuṣṭhitāt |
स्वधर्मे |
in one's prescribed duties |
svadharme |
निधनं |
destruction |
nidhanaṃ |
श्रेयः |
better |
śreyaḥ |
परधर्मः |
duties prescribed for others |
paradharmaḥ |
भयावहः |
dangerous. |
bhayāvahaḥ |
It is far better to discharge one’s prescribed duties, even though faultily, than another’s duties perfectly. Destruction in the course of performing one’s own duty is better than engaging in another’s duties, for to follow another’s path is dangerous. |
अर्जुन उवाच । / arjuna uvacha ।
अथ केन प्रयुक्तोऽयं पापं चरति पूरुषः ।
अनिच्छन्नपि वार्ष्णेय बलादिव नियोजितः ॥ 36 ॥
atha kena prayukto'yaṃ pāpaṃ carati pūruṣaḥ .
anicchannapi vārṣṇeya balādiva niyojitaḥ .. 36 ..
Arjuna said: O descendant of Vrsni, by what is one impelled to sinful acts, even unwillingly, as if engaged by force?
Sanskrit Word |
Meaning |
Transliteration |
अर्जुन उवाच |
Arjuna said |
arjuna uvāca |
अथ |
then |
atha |
केन |
by what |
kena |
प्रयुक्तः |
impelled |
prayuktaḥ |
अयं |
one |
ayaṃ |
पापं |
sins |
pāpaṃ |
चरति |
does |
carati |
पूरुषः |
a man |
pūruṣaḥ |
अनिच्छन् |
without desiring |
anicchan |
अपि |
although |
api |
वार्ष्णेय |
O descendant of VRiShNi |
vārṣṇeya |
बलात् |
by force |
balāt |
इव |
as if |
iva |
नियोजितः |
engaged. |
niyojitaḥ |
Arjuna said: O descendant of Vrsni, by what is one impelled to sinful acts, even unwillingly, as if engaged by force? |
श्रीभगवानुवाच । / sribhagavanuvacha ।
काम एष क्रोध एष रजोगुणसमुद्भवः ।
महाशनो महापाप्मा विद्ध्येनमिह वैरिणम् ॥ 37 ॥
kāma eṣa krodha eṣa rajoguṇasamudbhavaḥ .
mahāśano mahāpāpmā viddhyenamiha vairiṇam .. 37 ..
The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: It is lust only, Arjuna, which is born of contact with the material mode of passion and later transformed into wrath, and which is the all-devouring sinful enemy of this world.
Sanskrit Word |
Meaning |
Transliteration |
श्रीभगवानुवाच |
the Personality of Godhead said |
śrībhagavānuvāca |
कामः |
lust |
kāmaḥ |
एषः |
this |
eṣaḥ |
क्रोधः |
wrath |
krodhaḥ |
एषः |
this |
eṣaḥ |
रजोगुण |
the mode of passion |
rajoguṇa |
समुद्भवः |
born of |
samudbhavaḥ |
महाशनः |
all-devouring |
mahāśanaḥ |
महापाप्मा |
greatly sinful |
mahāpāpmā |
विद्धि |
know |
viddhi |
एनं |
this |
enaṃ |
इह |
in the material world |
iha |
वैरिणं |
greatest enemy. |
vairiṇaṃ |
The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: It is lust only, Arjuna, which is born of contact with the material mode of passion and later transformed into wrath, and which is the all-devouring sinful enemy of this world. |
धूमेनाव्रियते वह्निर्यथादर्शो मलेन च ।
यथोल्बेनावृतो गर्भस्तथा तेनेदमावृतम् ॥ 38 ॥
dhūmenāvriyate vahniryathādarśo malena ca .
yatholbenāvṛto garbhastathā tenedamāvṛtam .. 38 ..
As fire is covered by smoke, as a mirror is covered by dust, or as the embryo is covered by the womb, the living entity is similarly covered by different degrees of this lust.
Sanskrit Word |
Meaning |
Transliteration |
धूमेन |
by smoke |
dhūmena |
आव्रियते |
is covered |
āvriyate |
वह्निः |
fire |
vahniḥ |
यथा |
just as |
yathā |
अदर्शः |
mirror |
adarśaḥ |
मलेन |
by dust |
malena |
च |
also |
ca |
यथा |
just as |
yathā |
उल्बेन |
by the womb |
ulbena |
आवृतः |
is covered |
āvṛtaḥ |
गर्भः |
embryo |
garbhaḥ |
तथा |
so |
tathā |
तेन |
by that lust |
tena |
इदं |
this |
idaṃ |
आवृतं |
is covered. |
āvṛtaṃ |
As fire is covered by smoke, as a mirror is covered by dust, or as the embryo is covered by the womb, the living entity is similarly covered by different degrees of this lust. |
आवृतं ज्ञानमेतेन ज्ञानिनो नित्यवैरिणा ।
कामरूपेण कौन्तेय दुष्पूरेणानलेन च ॥ 39 ॥
āvṛtaṃ jñānametena jñānino nityavairiṇā .
kāmarūpeṇa kaunteya duṣpūreṇānalena ca .. 39 ..
Thus the wise living entity’s pure consciousness becomes covered by his eternal enemy in the form of lust, which is never satisfied and which burns like fire.
Sanskrit Word |
Meaning |
Transliteration |
आवृतं |
covered |
āvṛtaṃ |
ज्ञानं |
pure consciousness |
jñānaṃ |
एतेन |
by this |
etena |
ज्ञानिनः |
of the knower |
jñāninaḥ |
नित्यवैरिण |
by the eternal enemy |
nityavairiṇa |
कामरूपेण |
in the form of lust |
kāmarūpeṇa |
कौन्तेय |
O son of Kunti |
kaunteya |
दुष्पूरेण |
never to be satisfied |
duṣpūreṇa |
अनलेन |
by the fire |
analena |
च |
also. |
ca |
Thus the wise living entity’s pure consciousness becomes covered by his eternal enemy in the form of lust, which is never satisfied and which burns like fire. |
इन्द्रियाणि मनो बुद्धिरस्याधिष्ठानमुच्यते ।
एतैर्विमोहयत्येष ज्ञानमावृत्य देहिनम् ॥ 40 ॥
indriyāṇi mano buddhirasyādhiṣṭhānamucyate .
etairvimohayatyeṣa jñānamāvṛtya dehinam .. 40 ..
The senses, the mind and the intelligence are the sitting places of this lust. Through them lust covers the real knowledge of the living entity and bewilders him.
Sanskrit Word |
Meaning |
Transliteration |
इन्द्रियाणि |
the senses |
indriyāṇi |
मनः |
the mind |
manaḥ |
बुद्धिः |
the intelligence |
buddhiḥ |
अस्य |
of this lust |
asya |
अधिष्ठानं |
sitting place |
adhiṣṭhānaṃ |
उच्यते |
is called |
ucyate |
एतैः |
by all these |
etaiḥ |
विमोहयति |
bewilders |
vimohayati |
एषः |
this |
eṣaḥ |
ज्ञानं |
knowledge |
jñānaṃ |
आवृत्य |
covering |
āvṛtya |
देहिनं |
of the embodied. |
dehinaṃ |
The senses, the mind and the intelligence are the sitting places of this lust. Through them lust covers the real knowledge of the living entity and bewilders him. |
तस्मात्त्वमिन्द्रियाण्यादौ नियम्य भरतर्षभ ।
पाप्मानं प्रजहि ह्येनं ज्ञानविज्ञाननाशनम् ॥ 41 ॥
tasmāttvamindriyāṇyādau niyamya bharatarṣabha .
pāpmānaṃ prajahi hyenaṃ jñānavijñānanāśanam .. 41 ..
Therefore, O Arjuna, best of the Bharatas, in the very beginning curb this great symbol of sin [lust] by regulating the senses, and slay this destroyer of knowledge and self-realization
Sanskrit Word |
Meaning |
Transliteration |
तस्मात् |
therefore |
tasmāt |
त्वं |
you |
tvaṃ |
इन्द्रियाणि |
senses |
indriyāṇi |
आदौ |
in the beginning |
ādau |
नियम्य |
by regulating |
niyamya |
भरतर्षभ |
O chief amongst the descendants of Bharata |
bharatarṣabha |
पाप्मानं |
the great symbol of sin |
pāpmānaṃ |
प्रजहि |
curb |
prajahi |
हि |
certainly |
hi |
एनं |
this |
enaṃ |
ज्ञान |
of knowledge |
jñāna |
विज्ञान |
and scientific knowledge of the pure soul |
vijñāna |
नाशनं |
the destroyer. |
nāśanaṃ |
Therefore, O Arjuna, best of the Bharatas, in the very beginning curb this great symbol of sin [lust] by regulating the senses, and slay this destroyer of knowledge and self-realization |
इन्द्रियाणि पराण्याहुरिन्द्रियेभ्यः परं मनः ।
मनसस्तु परा बुद्धिर्यो बुद्धेः परतस्तु सः ॥ 42 ॥
indriyāṇi parāṇyāhurindriyebhyaḥ paraṃ manaḥ .
manasastu parā buddhiryo buddheḥ paratastu saḥ .. 42 ..
The working senses are superior to dull matter; mind is higher than the senses; intelligence is still higher than the mind; and he [the soul] is even higher than the intelligence.
Sanskrit Word |
Meaning |
Transliteration |
इन्द्रियाणि |
senses |
indriyāṇi |
पराणि |
superior |
parāṇi |
आहुः |
are said |
āhuḥ |
इन्द्रियेभ्यः |
more than the senses |
indriyebhyaḥ |
परं |
superior |
paraṃ |
मनः |
the mind |
manaḥ |
मनसः |
more than the mind |
manasaḥ |
तु |
also |
tu |
परा |
superior |
parā |
बुद्धिः |
intelligence |
buddhiḥ |
यः |
who |
yaḥ |
बुद्धेः |
more than the intelligence |
buddheḥ |
परतः |
superior |
parataḥ |
तु |
but |
tu |
सः |
he. |
saḥ |
The working senses are superior to dull matter; mind is higher than the senses; intelligence is still higher than the mind; and he [the soul] is even higher than the intelligence. |
एवं बुद्धेः परं बुद्ध्वा संस्तभ्यात्मानमात्मना ।
जहि शत्रुं महाबाहो कामरूपं दुरासदम् ॥ 43 ॥
evaṃ buddheḥ paraṃ buddhvā saṃstabhyātmānamātmanā .
jahi śatruṃ mahābāho kāmarūpaṃ durāsadam .. 43 ..
Thus knowing oneself to be transcendental to the material senses, mind and intelligence, O mighty-armed Arjuna, one should steady the mind by deliberate spiritual intelligence [Krsna consciousness] and thus – by spiritual strength – conquer this insatiable enemy known as lust.
Sanskrit Word |
Meaning |
Transliteration |
एवं |
thus |
evaṃ |
बुद्धेः |
to intelligence |
buddheḥ |
परं |
superior |
paraṃ |
बुद्ध्वा |
knowing |
buddhvā |
संस्तभ्य |
by steadying |
saṃstabhya |
आत्मानं |
the mind |
ātmānaṃ |
आत्मना |
by deliberate intelligence |
ātmanā |
जहि |
conquer |
jahi |
शत्रुं |
the enemy |
śatruṃ |
महाबाहो |
O mighty-armed one |
mahābāho |
कामरूपं |
in the form of lust |
kāmarūpaṃ |
दुरासदं |
formidable. |
durāsadaṃ |
Thus knowing oneself to be transcendental to the material senses, mind and intelligence, O mighty-armed Arjuna, one should steady the mind by deliberate spiritual intelligence [Krsna consciousness] and thus – by spiritual strength – conquer this insatiable enemy known as lust. |
ॐ तत्सदिति श्रीमद्भगवद्गीतासूपनिषत्सु ब्रह्मविद्यायां योगशास्त्रे श्रीकृष्णार्जुनसंवादे कर्मयोगो नाम तृतीयोऽध्यायः ॥3 ॥
oṃ tatsaditi śrīmadbhagavadgītāsūpaniṣatsu brahmavidyāyāṃ yogaśāstre śrīkṛṣṇārjunasaṃvāde karmayogo nāma tṛtīyo'dhyāyaḥ ..3 ..
AUM, "THAT" is "IT". Thus, the Third section of the Auspicious Bhagavad Gita,named Karma Yoga[Yoga of Action], From the Upanishads, The Knowledge of Supreme Consciousness, From the Knowledge of Yoga, a conversation between Lord Krishna and Arjuna.