DharmaPragya
कर्मयोग (Karma Yoga)
Containing 43 sacred Sanskrit shlokas with multi-author commentaries and translations.
कर्मयोग (Karma Yoga), Verse 1
Verse 1 of 43
SANSKRIT TEXT
अर्जुन उवाच ज्यायसी चेत्कर्मणस्ते मता बुद्धिर्जनार्दन। तत्किं कर्मणि घोरे मां नियोजयसि केशव।।3.1।।
TRANSLITERATION
arjuna uvācha jyāyasī chet karmaṇas te matā buddhir janārdana tat kiṁ karmaṇi ghore māṁ niyojayasi keśhava
Sanskrit Word Meanings
"Arjuna said, "O Krsna, if you deem knowledge to be superior to action, why then do you urge me to engage in this terrible deed?""
"Arjuna said, "O Janardana (Krishna), if it is Your opinion that wisdom is superior to action, why do You urge me to take such horrible action, O Kesava?""
"Arjuna said: If Thou thinkest that knowledge is superior to action, O Krishna, why then, O Kesava, doest Thou ask me to engage in this terrible action?"
"Arjuna said, "O Janardana, if you hold knowledge to be superior to action, then why do you engage me in such terrible action, O Kesava?""
"Arjuna questioned: My Lord! If wisdom is superior to action, why do you advise me to engage in this terrible fight?"
"3.1 ज्यायसी superior? चेत् if? कर्मणः than action? ते by Thee? मता thought? बुद्धिः knowledge? जनार्दन O Janardana? तत् then? किम् why? कर्मणि in action? घोरे terrible? माम् me? नियोजयसि Thou engagest? केशव O Kesava.Commentary In verses 49? 50 and 51 of chapter II? Lord Krsihna has spoken very highly about Buddhi Yoga. He again asks Arjuna to fight. That is the reason why Arjuna is perplexed now."
कर्मयोग (Karma Yoga), Verse 2
Verse 2 of 43
SANSKRIT TEXT
व्यामिश्रेणेव वाक्येन बुद्धिं मोहयसीव मे। तदेकं वद निश्िचत्य येन श्रेयोऽहमाप्नुयाम्।।3.2।।
TRANSLITERATION
vyāmiśhreṇeva vākyena buddhiṁ mohayasīva me tad ekaṁ vada niśhchitya yena śhreyo ’ham āpnuyām
Sanskrit Word Meanings
"You confuse my mind with statements that seem to contradict each other; tell me for certain the one way by which I could reach the highest good."
"You bewilder my understanding, as it were, with a seemingly conflicting statement! Tell me for certain which one of these I may use to attain the highest Good."
"With this seemingly perplexing speech, you seem to be confusing my understanding; therefore, tell me one certain way by which I may attain bliss."
"You seem to be confounding my intellect with Your seemingly confusing speech. Therefore, tell me with certainty that one thing by which I may attain the good (emancipation)."
"Your language confuses me and confounds my reason. Therefore, please tell me the only way by which I can, without doubt, secure my spiritual welfare."
"3.2 व्यामिश्रेण perplexing? इव as it were? वाक्येन with speech? बुद्धिम् understanding? मोहयसि (Thou) confusest? इव as it were? मे my? तत् that? एकम् one? वद tell? निश्चित्य for certain? येन by which? श्रेयः bliss (the good or the highest)? अहम् I? आप्नुयाम् may attain.Commentary Arjuna says to Lord Krishna? Tecah me one of the two? knowledge or action? by which I may attain to the highest good or bliss or Moksha. (Cf.V.I)."
कर्मयोग (Karma Yoga), Verse 3
Verse 3 of 43
SANSKRIT TEXT
श्री भगवानुवाच लोकेऽस्मिन्द्विविधा निष्ठा पुरा प्रोक्ता मयानघ। ज्ञानयोगेन सांख्यानां कर्मयोगेन योगिनाम्।।3.3।।
TRANSLITERATION
śhrī bhagavān uvācha loke’smin dvi-vidhā niṣhṭhā purā proktā mayānagha jñāna-yogena sāṅkhyānāṁ karma-yogena yoginām
Sanskrit Word Meanings
"The Lord said, "In this world, a two-fold way was of yore laid down by Me, O sinless one: Jnana Yoga for the Sankhyas and Karma Yoga for the Yogins.""
"The Blessed Lord said, O unblemished one, two kinds of steadfastness in this world were spoken of by Me in days gone by—through the Yoga of Knowledge for the men of realization; through the Yoga of Action for the yogis."
"The Blessed Lord said, "In this world, there is a twofold path, as I said before, O sinless one: the path of knowledge of the Sankhyas and the path of action of the Yogins.""
"The Bhagavat said, "The two-fold path in this world—the one with Yoga of knowledge for men of reflection and the other with Yoga of action for men of Yoga—has been declared by Me to be one, O sinless one!""
"Lord Shri Krishna replied: In this world, as I have said, there is a twofold path, O sinless one! There is the path of wisdom for those who meditate, and the path of action for those who work."
"3.3 लोके in world? अस्मिन् in this? द्विविधा twofold? निष्ठा path? पुरा previously? प्रोक्ता said? मया by Me? अनघ O sinless one? ज्ञानयोगेन by the path of knowledge? सांख्यानाम् of the Sankhyas? कर्मयोगेन by the path of action? योगिनाम् of the Yogins.Commentary The path of knowledge of the Sankhyas (Jnana Yoga) was described by Lord Krishna in chapter II? verses 11 to 38 the path of action (Karma Yoga) from 40 to 53.Pura Prokta may also mean In the beginning of creation the twofold path was given by Me to this world.Those who are endowed with the four means and who have sharp? subtle intellect and bold understanding are fit for Jnana Yoga. Those who have a tendency or inclination for wok are fit for Karma Yoga. (The four means are discrimination? dispassion? sixfold virutes? and longing for liberation. The sixfold virtues are control of the mind? control of the senses? fortitude (endurance)? turning away from the objects of the world? faith and tranillity.)It is not possible for a man to practise the two Yogas simultaneously. Karma Yoga is a means to an end. It purifies the heart and prepares the aspirant for the reception of knowledge. The Karma Yogi should take up Jnana Yoga as soon as his heart is purified. Jnana Yoga takes the aspirant directly to the goal without any extraneous help. (Cf.V.5)."
कर्मयोग (Karma Yoga), Verse 4
Verse 4 of 43
SANSKRIT TEXT
न कर्मणामनारम्भान्नैष्कर्म्यं पुरुषोऽश्नुते। न च संन्यसनादेव सिद्धिं समधिगच्छति।।3.4।।
TRANSLITERATION
na karmaṇām anārambhān naiṣhkarmyaṁ puruṣho ’śhnute na cha sannyasanād eva siddhiṁ samadhigachchhati
Sanskrit Word Meanings
"No one experiences freedom from action (Naiskarmya) by abstaining from work; and no one ever attains success through mere renunciation of work."
"A person does not attain freedom from action by abstaining from action; nor does he attain fulfillment merely through renunciation."
"Man does not reach actionlessness by not performing actions; nor does he attain perfection by mere renunciation."
"A person attains actionlessness not just by abstaining from actions, but also by renunciation, he attains success (emancipation)."
"No one can attain freedom from action by abstaining from action, nor can they reach perfection by simply not acting."
"3.4 न not? कर्मणाम् of actions? अनारम्भात् from nonperformance? नैष्कर्म्यम् actionlessness? पुरुषः man? अश्नुते reaches? न not? च and? संन्यसनात् from renunciation? एव only? सिद्धिम् perfection? समधिगच्छति attains.Commentary Actionlessness (Naishkarmyam) and perfection (Siddhi) are synonymous. The sage who has attained to perfection or reached the state of actionlessness rests in his own essential nature as ExistenceKnowledgeBliss Absolute (Satchidananda Svarupa). He has neither necessity nor desire for action as a means to an end. He has perfect satisfaction in the Self.One attains to the state of actionlessness by gaining the knowledge of the Self. If a man simply sits iet by abandoning action you cannot say that he has attained to the state of actionlessness. His mind will be planning? scheming and speculating. Thought is real action. The sage who is free from affirmative thoughts? wishes? and likes and dislikes? who has the knowledge of the Self can be said to have attained to the state of actionlessness.No one can reach perfection or freedom from action or knowledge of the Self by mere renunciation or by simply giving up activities without possessing the knowledge of the Self. (Cf.XVIII.49)."
कर्मयोग (Karma Yoga), Verse 5
Verse 5 of 43
SANSKRIT TEXT
न हि कश्िचत्क्षणमपि जातु तिष्ठत्यकर्मकृत्। कार्यते ह्यवशः कर्म सर्वः प्रकृतिजैर्गुणैः।।3.5।।
TRANSLITERATION
na hi kaśhchit kṣhaṇam api jātu tiṣhṭhatyakarma-kṛit kāryate hyavaśhaḥ karma sarvaḥ prakṛiti-jair guṇaiḥ
Sanskrit Word Meanings
"No one can remain still for even a moment without doing work; for everyone is compelled to act, despite themselves, by the Gunas born of Nature."
"For no one ever remains even for a moment without doing work, for all are made to work under compulsion by the gunas born of Nature."
"Verily, no one can remain for even a moment without performing action; for everyone is made to act helplessly, indeed, by the qualities born of Nature."
"For, no one can ever remain, even for a moment, as a non-performer of action; because everyone, not being master of themselves, is forced to perform action by the strands born of the Prakriti (Material cause)."
"He cannot remain inactive even for a moment, for the qualities of Nature will compel him to act, whether he wills it or not."
"3.5 नहि not? कश्चित् anyone? क्षणम् a moment? अपि even? जातु verily? तिष्ठति remains? अकर्मकृत् without performing action? कार्यते is made to do? हि for? अवशः helpless? कर्म action? सर्वः all? प्रकृतिजैः born of Prakriti? गुणैः by the alities.Commentary The Gunas (alities of Nature) are three? viz.? Sattva? Rajas and Tamas. Sattva is harmony or light or purity Rajas is passion or motion Tamas is inertia or darkness. Sattvic actions help a man to attain to Moksha. Rajasic and Tamasic actions bind a man to Samsara.These alities cannot affect a man who has knowledge of the Self. He has crossed over these alities. He has become a Gunatita (one who has transcended the alities of Nature). The ignorant man who has no knowledge of the Self and who is swayed by Avidya or nescience is driven helplessly to action by the Gunas. (Cf.IV.16?XVIII.11)."
कर्मयोग (Karma Yoga), Verse 6
Verse 6 of 43
SANSKRIT TEXT
कर्मेन्द्रियाणि संयम्य य आस्ते मनसा स्मरन्। इन्द्रियार्थान्विमूढात्मा मिथ्याचारः स उच्यते।।3.6।।
TRANSLITERATION
karmendriyāṇi sanyamya ya āste manasā smaran indriyārthān vimūḍhātmā mithyāchāraḥ sa uchyate
Sanskrit Word Meanings
"He who, controlling the organs of action, lets his mind dwell on the objects of the senses, is a deluded person and a hypocrite."
"One who, after withdrawing the organs of action, sits mentally recollecting the objects of the senses, is called a hypocrite, for they have a deluded mind."
"He who, restraining the organs of action, sits thinking of the sense-objects in his mind, he of deluded understanding is called a hypocrite."
"Controlling their organs of action, whoever sits with their mind pondering over sense objects—that person is a man of deluded soul and is called a man of deluded action."
"He who remains motionless, refusing to act, yet brooding over sensuous objects, is that deluded soul simply a hypocrite."
"3.6 कर्मेन्द्रियाणि organs of action? संयम्य restraining? यः who? आस्ते sits? मनसा by the mind? स्मरन् remembering? इन्द्रियार्थान् senseobjects? विमूढात्मा of deluded understanding? मिथ्याचारः hypocrite? सः he? उच्यते is called.Commentary The five organs of action? Karma Indriyas? are Vak (organ of speech)? Pani (hands)? Padam (feet)? Upastha (genitals) and Guda (anus). They are born of the Rajasic portion of the five Tanmatras or subtle elements Vak from the Akasa Tanmatra (ether)? Pani from the Vayu Tanmatra (air)? Padam from the Agni Tanmatra (fire)? Upastha from the Apas Tanmatra (water)? and Guda from the Prithivi Tanmatra (earth). That man who? restraining the organs of action? sits revolving in his mind thoughts regarding the objects of the senses is a man of sinful conduct. He is selfdeluded. He is a veritable hypocrite.The organs of action must be controlled. The thoughts should also be controlled. The mind should be firmly fixed on the Lord. Only then will you become a true Yogi. Only then will you attain to Selfrealisation."
कर्मयोग (Karma Yoga), Verse 7
Verse 7 of 43
SANSKRIT TEXT
यस्त्विन्द्रियाणि मनसा नियम्यारभतेऽर्जुन। कर्मेन्द्रियैः कर्मयोगमसक्तः स विशिष्यते।।3.7।।
TRANSLITERATION
yas tvindriyāṇi manasā niyamyārabhate ’rjuna karmendriyaiḥ karma-yogam asaktaḥ sa viśhiṣhyate
Sanskrit Word Meanings
"But he who, subduing his senses by the mind, O Arjuna, begins to practice Karma Yoga through the organs of action and who is free from attachment, excels."
"But, O Arjuna, one who engages in Karma-yoga, controlling the organs of action with the mind and becoming unattached, excels."
"But whoever, controlling the senses by the mind, O Arjuna, engages himself in Karma Yoga with the organs of action, without attachment, he excels."
"But, controlling the sense-organs with the mind, whoever undertakes the Yoga of action with the action-senses, he, the detached one, is superior, O Arjuna!"
"But, O Arjuna! All honor to him whose mind controls his senses, for he is thereby beginning to practice Karma-Yoga, the Path of Right Action, keeping himself always unattached."
"3.7 यः whose? तु but? इन्द्रियाणि the senses? मनसा by the mind? नियम्य controlling? आरभते commences? अर्जुन O Arjuna? कर्मेन्द्रियैः by the organs of action? कर्मयोगम् Karma Yoga? असक्तः unattached? सः he? विशिष्यते excels.Commentary If anyone performs actions with his organs of action (viz.? hands? feet? organ of speech? etc.) controlling the organs of knowledge by the mind? and without expectation of the fruits of the actions and without egoism? he is certainly more worthy than the other who is a hypocrite or a man of false conduct. (Cf.II.64?68IV.21).The five organs of knowledge are the eyes? the ears? the nose? the skin and the sense of taste (tongue)."
कर्मयोग (Karma Yoga), Verse 8
Verse 8 of 43
SANSKRIT TEXT
नियतं कुरु कर्म त्वं कर्म ज्यायो ह्यकर्मणः। शरीरयात्रापि च ते न प्रसिद्ध्येदकर्मणः।।3.8।।
TRANSLITERATION
niyataṁ kuru karma tvaṁ karma jyāyo hyakarmaṇaḥ śharīra-yātrāpi cha te na prasiddhyed akarmaṇaḥ
Sanskrit Word Meanings
"You must perform your obligatory action; for action is superior to non-action (Jñāna Yoga). For a person following non-action, not even the sustenance of the body is possible."
"You should perform your obligatory duties, for action is superior to inaction. Moreover, even the maintenance of your body will not be possible without action."
"Perform your bounden duty, for action is superior to inaction, and even the maintenance of the body would not be possible for you through inaction."
"You must perform the action that has been enjoined upon you. For, action is superior to inaction; and even the maintenance of your body cannot be properly accomplished through inaction."
"Do your duty as prescribed, for action for duty's sake is superior to inaction. Even the maintenance of the body would be impossible if one remained inactive."
"3.8 नियतम् bounden (prescribed or obligatory)? कुरु perform? कर्म action? त्वम् thou? कर्म action? ज्यायः superior? हि for? अकर्मणः than inaction? शरीरयात्रा maintenance of the body? अपि even? च and? ते thy? न not? प्रसिद्ध्येत् would be possible? अकर्मणः by inaction.Commentary Niyatam Karma is an obligatory duty which one is bound to perform. Thenonperformance of the bounden duties causes demerit. The performance of the obligatory duties is not a means for the attainment of a specific result. The performance does not cause any merit.Living itself involves several natural and unavoidable actions which have to be performed by all. It is ignorance to say? I can live doing nothing."
कर्मयोग (Karma Yoga), Verse 9
Verse 9 of 43
SANSKRIT TEXT
यज्ञार्थात्कर्मणोऽन्यत्र लोकोऽयं कर्मबन्धनः। तदर्थं कर्म कौन्तेय मुक्तसंगः समाचर।।3.9।।
TRANSLITERATION
yajñārthāt karmaṇo ’nyatra loko ’yaṁ karma-bandhanaḥ tad-arthaṁ karma kaunteya mukta-saṅgaḥ samāchara
Sanskrit Word Meanings
"This world is held in the bondage of work only when work is not performed as a sacrifice. O Arjuna, you must perform work for this purpose, free from attachment."
"This man becomes bound by actions other than those intended for God. Without being attached, O son of Kunti, perform actions for Him."
"The world is bound by actions other than those performed for the sake of sacrifice; do thou, therefore, O son of Kunti (Arjuna), perform actions for that sake alone, free from attachment."
"The world is fettered by action which is different from Yajna-action; therefore, O son of Kunti, free from attachment, perform Yajna-action properly."
"In this world, people are fettered by their actions, unless they are performed as a sacrifice. Therefore, O Arjuna, let your actions be done without attachment, as a sacrifice only."
"3.9 यज्ञार्थात् for the sake of sacrifice? कर्मणः of action? अन्यत्र otherwise? लोकः the world? अयम् this? कर्मबन्धनः bound by action? तदर्थम् for that sake? कर्म action? कौन्तेय O Kaunteya? मुक्तसंगः free from attachment? समाचार perform.Commentary Yajna means sacrifice or religious rite or any unselfish action done with a pure motive. It means also Isvara. The Taittiriya Samhita (of the Veda) says Yajna verily is Vishnu (174). If anyone does actions for the sake of the Lord? he is not bound. His heart is purified by performing actions for the sake of the Lord. Where this spirit of unselfishness does not govern the action? it will bind one to Samsara however good or glorious it may be. (Cf.II.48)."
कर्मयोग (Karma Yoga), Verse 10
Verse 10 of 43
SANSKRIT TEXT
सहयज्ञाः प्रजाः सृष्ट्वा पुरोवाच प्रजापतिः। अनेन प्रसविष्यध्वमेष वोऽस्त्विष्टकामधुक्।।3.10।।
TRANSLITERATION
saha-yajñāḥ prajāḥ sṛiṣhṭvā purovācha prajāpatiḥ anena prasaviṣhyadhvam eṣha vo ’stviṣhṭa-kāma-dhuk
Sanskrit Word Meanings
"In the beginning, the Lord of all beings created man along with the sacrifice and said, "By this shall you prosper; this shall be the cow of plenty, granting all your desires.""
"In days of yore, having created the beings together with the sacrifices, Prajapati said, "By this, you shall multiply. Let this be your yielder of coveted objects of desire.""
"The Creator, having in the beginning created mankind together with sacrifice, said, "By this shall you propagate; let this be the milch cow of your desires—the cow that yields all the desired objects.""
"Having created creatures formerly [at the time of creation], together with the necessary action, the Lord of creatures declared: "By means of this, you shall propagate yourselves; and let this be your wish-fulfilling cow.""
"In the beginning, when God created all beings through the sacrifice of Himself, He said to them: "You can procreate through sacrifice, and it shall satisfy all your desires.""
"3.10 सहयज्ञाः together with sacrifice? प्रजाः mankind? सृष्ट्वा having created? पुरा in the beginning? उवाच said? प्रजापतिः Prajapati? अनेन by this? प्रसविष्यध्वम् shall ye propagate? एषः this? वः your? अस्तु let be? इष्टकामधुक् milch cow of desires.Commentary Prajapati is the Creator or Brahma. Kamadhuk is another name for the cow Kamadhenu. Kamadhenu is the cow of Indra from which everyone can milk whatever one desires. (Cf.VIII.4IX.2427X.25)."
कर्मयोग (Karma Yoga), Verse 11
Verse 11 of 43
SANSKRIT TEXT
देवान्भावयतानेन ते देवा भावयन्तु वः। परस्परं भावयन्तः श्रेयः परमवाप्स्यथ।।3.11।।
TRANSLITERATION
devān bhāvayatānena te devā bhāvayantu vaḥ parasparaṁ bhāvayantaḥ śhreyaḥ param avāpsyatha
Sanskrit Word Meanings
"By this, please the gods, and they will support you. Thus, nourishing each other, you may obtain the highest good."
"'You nourish the gods with this. Let those gods nourish you in return. By mutually nourishing each other, you shall attain the supreme Good.'"
"With this, nourish the gods, and may the gods nourish you; thus, nourishing each other, you shall attain the highest good."
"'You should gratify the devas with this, and let the devas gratify you; thus, mutually gratifying each other, you will attain the highest good.'"
"Worship the powers of Nature, and let them nourish you in return; thus, supporting each other, you shall attain your highest welfare."
"3.11 देवान् the gods? भावयत nourish (ye)? अनेन with this? ते those? देवाः gods? भावयन्तु may nourish? वः you? परस्परम् one another? भावयन्तः nourishing? श्रेयः good? परम् the highest? अवाप्स्यथ shall attain.Commentary Deva literally means the shining one. By this sacrifice you nourish the gods such as Indra. The gods shall nourish you with rain? etc. the highest good is the attainment of the knowledge of the Self which frees one from the round of births and deaths. The highest good may mean the attainment of heaven also. The fruit depends upon the motive of the aspirant."
कर्मयोग (Karma Yoga), Verse 12
Verse 12 of 43
SANSKRIT TEXT
इष्टान्भोगान्हि वो देवा दास्यन्ते यज्ञभाविताः। तैर्दत्तानप्रदायैभ्यो यो भुङ्क्ते स्तेन एव सः।।3.12।।
TRANSLITERATION
iṣhṭān bhogān hi vo devā dāsyante yajña-bhāvitāḥ tair dattān apradāyaibhyo yo bhuṅkte stena eva saḥ
Sanskrit Word Meanings
"The gods, pleased by the sacrifice, will bestow upon you the enjoyments you desire. He who enjoys the bounty of the gods without giving them anything in return is but a thief."
"'Being nourished by sacrifices, the gods will indeed give you the coveted enjoyments. He is certainly a thief who enjoys what has been given by them without offering it to them.'"
"The gods, nourished by the sacrifice, will give you the desired objects. So, he who enjoys the objects given by the gods without offering anything in return is indeed a thief."
"The devas, gratified with necessary action, will grant you the things sacrificed. Therefore, whoever enjoys their gifts without offering them to these devas is surely a thief."
"For, fed by sacrifice, nature will give you all the enjoyment you desire. But he who enjoys what she gives without returning is, indeed, a thief."
"3.12 इष्टान् desired? भोगान् objects? हि so? वः to you? देवाः the gods? दास्यन्ते will give? यज्ञभाविताः nourished by sacrifice? तैः by them? दत्तान् give? अप्रदाय without offering? एभ्यः to them? यः who? भुङ्क्ते enjoys? स्तेनः thief? एव verily? सः he.Commentary When the gods are pleased with you sacrifices? they will bestow on you all the desired objects such as children? cattle? property? etc. He who enjoys what has been given to him by the gods? i.e.? he who gratifies the cravings of his own body and the senses without offering anything to the gods in return is a veritable thief. He is really a dacoit of the property of the gods."
कर्मयोग (Karma Yoga), Verse 13
Verse 13 of 43
SANSKRIT TEXT
यज्ञशिष्टाशिनः सन्तो मुच्यन्ते सर्वकिल्बिषैः। भुञ्जते ते त्वघं पापा ये पचन्त्यात्मकारणात्।।3.13।।
TRANSLITERATION
yajña-śhiṣhṭāśhinaḥ santo muchyante sarva-kilbiṣhaiḥ bhuñjate te tvaghaṁ pāpā ye pachantyātma-kāraṇāt
Sanskrit Word Meanings
"Pious people who eat the remnants of sacrifices are freed from all sins, whereas those who are sinful and cook only for their own sake will only incur sin."
"By partaking in the remnants of sacrifices, they become freed from all sins. But those who are unholy and cook for themselves incur sin."
"The righteous who eat the remnants of the sacrifice are freed from all sins; but those sinful ones who cook food solely for their own sake indeed consume sin."
"The righteous persons, who eat the remnants of the actions to be performed necessarily, are freed from all sins. But those who cook, intending for their own selves, are sinners and consume sin."
"The sages who enjoy the food that remains after the sacrifice is made are freed from all sins; whereas, the selfish who spread their feast only for themselves feed on sin alone."
"3.13 यज्ञशिष्टाशिनः who eat the remnants of the sacrifice? सन्तः the righteous? मुच्यन्ते are freed? सर्वकिल्बिषैः from all sins? भुञ्जते eat? ते those? तु indeed? अघम् sin? पापाः sinful ones? ये who? पचन्ति cook? आत्मकारणात् for their own sake.Commentary Those who? after performing the five great sacrifices? eat the remnants of the food are freed from all the sins committed by these five agents of insect slaughter? viz.? (1) the pestle and mortar? (2) the grinding stone? (3) the fireplace? (4) the place where the waterpot is kept? and (5) the broom. These are the five places where injury to life is daily committed. The sins are washed away by the performance of the five MahaYajnas or great sacrifices which every Dvija(twicorn or the people belonging to the first three castes in Hindu society? especially the Brahmin) ought to perform1. DevaYajna Offering sacrifices to the gods which will satisfy them?2. BrahmaYajna or RishiYajna Teaching and reciting the scriptures which will satisfy Brahman and the Rishis?3. PitriYajna Offering libations of water to ones ancestors which will satisfy the manes?4. NriYajna The feeding of the hungry and the guests? and?5. BhutaYajna The feeding of the subhuman species? such as animals? birds? etc."
कर्मयोग (Karma Yoga), Verse 14
Verse 14 of 43
SANSKRIT TEXT
अन्नाद्भवन्ति भूतानि पर्जन्यादन्नसम्भवः। यज्ञाद्भवति पर्जन्यो यज्ञः कर्मसमुद्भवः।।3.14।।
TRANSLITERATION
annād bhavanti bhūtāni parjanyād anna-sambhavaḥ yajñād bhavati parjanyo yajñaḥ karma-samudbhavaḥ
Sanskrit Word Meanings
"All beings arise from food; food is produced from rain; rain comes from sacrifice; and sacrifice is born of action."
"From food are born the creatures; the origin of food is from rain; rain originates from sacrifice; sacrifice has action as its source."
"From food come forth beings; from rain, food is produced; from sacrifice arises rain, and sacrifice is born of action."
"From food arise the things that are born; from the rain-cloud the food arises; from the sacrifice the rain-cloud arises; the sacrifice arises from action."
"All creatures are the product of food; food is the product of rain; rain comes from sacrifice, and sacrifice is the noblest form of action."
"3.14 अन्नात् from food? भवन्ति come forth? भूतानि beings? पर्जन्यात् from rain? अन्नसम्भवः production of food? यज्ञात् from sacrifice? भवति arises? पर्जन्यः rain? यज्ञः sacrifice? कर्मसमुद्भवः born of action.Commentary Here Yajna means Apurva or the subtle principle or the unseen form which a sacrifice assumes between the time of its performance and the time when its fruits manifest themselves."
कर्मयोग (Karma Yoga), Verse 15
Verse 15 of 43
SANSKRIT TEXT
कर्म ब्रह्मोद्भवं विद्धि ब्रह्माक्षरसमुद्भवम्। तस्मात्सर्वगतं ब्रह्म नित्यं यज्ञे प्रतिष्ठितम्।।3.15।।
TRANSLITERATION
karma brahmodbhavaṁ viddhi brahmākṣhara-samudbhavam tasmāt sarva-gataṁ brahma nityaṁ yajñe pratiṣhṭhitam
Sanskrit Word Meanings
"Know that activity springs from Brahman, i.e., the physical body; Brahman arises from the imperishable Self; therefore, the all-pervading Brahman is ever established in sacrifice."
"Know that action has the Vedas as its origin; the Vedas have the Immutable as their source. Hence, the all-pervading Vedas are forever based on sacrifice."
"Know that action comes from Brahma, and Brahma comes from the Imperishable. Therefore, the all-pervasive Brahma ever rests in sacrifice."
"Action arises from the Brahman; you should know this; the Brahman arises from that which does not stream forth; therefore, the all-pervading Brahman is permanently based on the sacrifice."
"All actions originate from the Supreme Spirit, which is Imperishable, and in sacrificial actions, the all-pervasive Spirit is consciously present."
"3.15 कर्म action? ब्रह्मोद्भवम् arisen from Brahma? विद्धि know? ब्रह्म Brahma? अक्षरसमुद्भवम् arisen from the Imperishable? तस्मात् therefore? सर्वगतम् allpervading? ब्रह्म Brahma? नित्यम् ever? यज्ञे in sacrifice? प्रतिष्ठितम् (is) established.Commentary Brahma may mean Veda. Just as the breath comes out of a man? so also the Veda is the breath of the Imperishable or the Omniscient. The Veda ever rests in the sacrifice? i.e.? it deals chiefly with sacrifices and the ways of their performance. (Cf.IV.24 to 32).Karma Action? Brahmodbhavam arisen from the injunctions of the Vedas."
कर्मयोग (Karma Yoga), Verse 16
Verse 16 of 43
SANSKRIT TEXT
एवं प्रवर्तितं चक्रं नानुवर्तयतीह यः। अघायुरिन्द्रियारामो मोघं पार्थ स जीवति।।3.16।।
TRANSLITERATION
evaṁ pravartitaṁ chakraṁ nānuvartayatīha yaḥ aghāyur indriyārāmo moghaṁ pārtha sa jīvati
Sanskrit Word Meanings
"He who does not follow the wheel thus set in motion here, lives in sin, satisfying the senses, O Arjuna; he lives in vain."
"O Partha, he who does not follow the wheel thus set in motion lives in vain, their life is sinful, and they indulge in the senses."
"He who does not follow the wheel thus set in motion, who is of sinful life, rejoicing in the senses, lives in vain, O Arjuna."
"Whoever does not keep the wheel of life rolling, which has been set in motion in this world, is a man of sinful life, rejoicing in the senses; and he lives in vain, O son of Prtha!"
"Thus, he who does not help the revolving wheel of sacrifice, but instead leads a sinful life, rejoicing in the gratification of his senses, O Arjuna, is breathing in vain."
"3.16 एवम् thus? प्रवर्तितम् set revolving? चक्रम् wheel? न not? अनुवर्तयति follows? इह here? यः who? अघायुः living in sin? इन्द्रियारामः rejoicing in the senses? मोघम् in vain? पार्थ O Partha? सः he? जीवति lives.Commentary This is the wheel of action set in motion by the Creator on the basis of the Veda and sacrifice.He who does not follow the wheel by studying the Vedas and performing the sacrifices prescribed therein but who indulges only in sensual pleasures lives in vain. He is wasting his life. He is leading a worthless life indeed.One who does not live in accordance with this law and who is selfish commits sin. He violates the law of the Creator and that is the worst sin."
कर्मयोग (Karma Yoga), Verse 17
Verse 17 of 43
SANSKRIT TEXT
यस्त्वात्मरतिरेव स्यादात्मतृप्तश्च मानवः। आत्मन्येव च सन्तुष्टस्तस्य कार्यं न विद्यते।।3.17।।
TRANSLITERATION
yas tvātma-ratir eva syād ātma-tṛiptaśh cha mānavaḥ ātmanyeva cha santuṣhṭas tasya kāryaṁ na vidyate
Sanskrit Word Meanings
"But the man whose delight is only in the Self, who is satisfied with the Self, who rejoices in the Self, for him nothing remains to be accomplished."
"But that man who rejoices only in the Self, is satisfied with the Self, and is content only in the Self—for him there is no duty to perform."
"But for that man who rejoices only in the Self, who is satisfied with the Self and is content in the Self alone, indeed there is nothing to do."
"But the man who simply rejoices in the Self, is satisfied in the Self, and delights in the Self alone—there exists no action for him to be performed."
"On the other hand, the soul who meditates on the Self is content to serve the Self and rests satisfied in the Self; there is nothing more for them to accomplish."
"3.17 यः who? तु but? आत्मरतिः who rejoices in the Self? एव only? स्यात् may be? आत्मतृप्तः satisfied in the Self? च and? मानवः the man? आत्मनि in the Self? एव only? च and? सन्तुष्टः contented? तस्य his? कार्यम् work to be done? न not? विद्यते is.Commentary The sage does not depend on external objects for his happiness. He is ite satisfied with the Self. He finds his joy? bliss and contentment within his own Self. For such a sage who has knowledge of the Self? there is nothing to do. He has already done all actions. He has satisfied all his desires. He has complete satisfaction. (Cf.II.55)."
कर्मयोग (Karma Yoga), Verse 18
Verse 18 of 43
SANSKRIT TEXT
नैव तस्य कृतेनार्थो नाकृतेनेह कश्चन। न चास्य सर्वभूतेषु कश्िचदर्थव्यपाश्रयः।।3.18।।
TRANSLITERATION
naiva tasya kṛitenārtho nākṛiteneha kaśhchana na chāsya sarva-bhūteṣhu kaśhchid artha-vyapāśhrayaḥ
Sanskrit Word Meanings
"He has no purpose to gain from work done or left undone, nor does he have to rely on any end."
"For him, there is no concern here at all with performing action, nor any with non-performance. Moreover, he has no dependence on any object to serve any purpose."
"For him, there is no interest whatsoever in what is done or not done; nor does he depend on any being for any purpose."
"No purpose is served for him by what he has done or by what he has not done. For him, there is hardly any dependence on any purpose among all beings."
"He has nothing to gain from the performance or non-performance of action; his welfare does not depend on any contribution that an earthly creature can make."
"3.18 न not? एव even? तस्य of hi? कृतेन by action? अर्थः concern? न not? अकृतेन by actions not done? इह here? कश्चन् any? न not? च and? अस्य of this man? सर्वभूतेषु in all beings? कश्चित् any? अर्थव्यपाश्रयः depending for any object.Commentary The sage who is thus rejoicing in the Self does not gain anything by doing any action. For him really no purpose is served by an action. No evil (Pratyavaya Dosha) can touch him from inaction. He does not lose anything from inaction. He need not depend upon anybody to gain a particular object. He need not exert himself to get the favour of anybody."
कर्मयोग (Karma Yoga), Verse 19
Verse 19 of 43
SANSKRIT TEXT
तस्मादसक्तः सततं कार्यं कर्म समाचर। असक्तो ह्याचरन्कर्म परमाप्नोति पूरुषः।।3.19।।
TRANSLITERATION
tasmād asaktaḥ satataṁ kāryaṁ karma samāchara asakto hyācharan karma param āpnoti pūruṣhaḥ
Sanskrit Word Meanings
"Therefore, do your work without attachment, which ought to be done. For, a person who works without attachment attains the Supreme."
"Therefore, remaining unattached, always perform the obligatory duty; for, by performing one's duty without attachment, a person attains the highest."
"Therefore, without attachment, always perform the actions that should be done; for by performing actions without attachment, one reaches the Supreme."
"Therefore, always remaining unattached, you should perform the action that is to be performed; for, the person performing action without attachment attains the Supreme."
"Therefore, do your duty perfectly, without worrying about the results, for he who does his duty without attachment attains the Supreme."
"3.19 तस्मात् therefore? असक्तः without attachment? सततम् always? कार्यम् which should be done? कर्म action? समाचर perform? असक्तः without attachment? हि because? आचरन् performing? कर्म action? परम् the Supreme? आप्नोति attains? पूरुषः man.Commentary If you perform actions without attachment? for the sake of the Lord? you will attain to Selfrealisation through purity of heart. (Cf.II.64IV.19?23XVIII.49)."
कर्मयोग (Karma Yoga), Verse 20
Verse 20 of 43
SANSKRIT TEXT
कर्मणैव हि संसिद्धिमास्थिता जनकादयः। लोकसंग्रहमेवापि संपश्यन्कर्तुमर्हसि।।3.20।।
TRANSLITERATION
karmaṇaiva hi sansiddhim āsthitā janakādayaḥ loka-saṅgraham evāpi sampaśhyan kartum arhasi
Sanskrit Word Meanings
"Indeed, Janaka and others reached perfection through Karma Yoga alone. Even recognizing its necessity for guiding the world, you must perform action."
"For Janaka and others strove to attain liberation through action itself. You should perform your duties, keeping in view the prevention of mankind from going astray."
"Janaka and others attained perfection indeed through action alone; even with the intention of protecting the masses, you should perform action."
"Janaka and others attained emancipation through action alone. Moreover, you should act with the intention of upholding the world."
"King Janaka and others attained perfection through action alone. Even for the sake of enlightening the world, it is your duty to act."
"3.20 कर्मणा by action? एव only? हि verily? संसिद्धिम् perfection? आस्थिताः attained? जनकादयः Janaka and others? लोकसंग्रहम् protection of the masses? एवापि only? संपश्यन् having in view? कर्तुम् to perform? अर्हसि thou shouldst.Commentary Samsiddhi is Moksha (perfection or liberation). Janaka? (Asvapati) and others had perfect knowledge of the Self? and yet they performed actions in order to set an example to the masses. They worked for the guidance of men."
कर्मयोग (Karma Yoga), Verse 21
Verse 21 of 43
SANSKRIT TEXT
यद्यदाचरति श्रेष्ठस्तत्तदेवेतरो जनः। स यत्प्रमाणं कुरुते लोकस्तदनुवर्तते।।3.21।।
TRANSLITERATION
yad yad ācharati śhreṣhṭhas tat tad evetaro janaḥ sa yat pramāṇaṁ kurute lokas tad anuvartate
Sanskrit Word Meanings
"Whatever a great man does, others do too. Whatever standard he sets, the world follows it."
"Whatever a superior person does, another person does the same! Whatever they uphold as authority, an ordinary person follows that."
"Whatever a great man does, others also do; whatever he establishes as the standard, the world follows."
"Whatever a great man does, others of lesser stature follow suit; whatever standard he sets, the world follows it."
"For whatever a great man does, others imitate; people conform to the standard he has set."
"3.21 यद्यत् whatsoever? आचरति does? श्रेष्ठः the best? तत्तत् that? एव only? इतरः the other? जनः people? सः he (that great man)? यत् what? प्रमाणम् standard (authority? demonstration)? कुरुते does? लोकः the world (people)? तत् that? अनुवर्तते follows.Commentary Man is a social animal. He is an imitating animal too. He takes his ideas of right and wrong from those whom he regards as his moral superior. Whatever a great man follows? the same is considered as an authority by his followers. They try to follow him. They endeavour to walk in his footsteps."
कर्मयोग (Karma Yoga), Verse 22
Verse 22 of 43
SANSKRIT TEXT
न मे पार्थास्ति कर्तव्यं त्रिषु लोकेषु किञ्चन। नानवाप्तमवाप्तव्यं वर्त एव च कर्मणि।।3.22।।
TRANSLITERATION
na me pārthāsti kartavyaṁ triṣhu lokeṣhu kiñchana nānavāptam avāptavyaṁ varta eva cha karmaṇi
Sanskrit Word Meanings
"For me, Arjuna, there is nothing in all the three worlds that ought to be done, nor is there anything unaccomplished that ought to be accomplished. Yet I continue to work."
"In all the three worlds, O Partha, there is no duty for Me to fulfill; nothing remains unachieved or to be achieved. (Still,) I continue in action."
"There is nothing in the three worlds, O Arjuna, that needs to be done by Me, nor is there anything unattained that needs to be attained; yet I engage Myself in action."
"O son of Prtha! For Me, there is nothing to be done in the three worlds, nor is there anything yet to be attained; and yet I am engaged in action."
"There is nothing in this universe, O Arjuna, that I am compelled to do, nor anything for me to attain; yet I persistently remain active."
"3.22 न not? मे my? पार्थ O Partha? अस्ति is? कर्तव्यम् to be done (duty)? त्रिषु in the three? लोकेषु worlds? किञ्चन anything? न not? अनवाप्तम् unattained? अवाप्तव्यम् to be attained? वर्ते am? एव also? च and? कर्मणि in action.Commentary I am the Lord of the universe and therefore I have no personal grounds to engage. Myself in action. I have nothing to achieve as I have all divine wealth? as the wealth of the universe is Mine? and yet I engage Myself in action.Why do you not follow My example Why do you not endeavour to prevent the masses from following the wrong path by setting an example yourself If you set an example? people will follow you as you are a leader with noble alities."
कर्मयोग (Karma Yoga), Verse 23
Verse 23 of 43
SANSKRIT TEXT
यदि ह्यहं न वर्तेयं जातु कर्मण्यतन्द्रितः। मम वर्त्मानुवर्तन्ते मनुष्याः पार्थ सर्वशः।।3.23।।
TRANSLITERATION
yadi hyahaṁ na varteyaṁ jātu karmaṇyatandritaḥ mama vartmānuvartante manuṣhyāḥ pārtha sarvaśhaḥ
Sanskrit Word Meanings
"If I did not continue to work unweariedly, O Arjuna, people would follow my path."
"For, O Partha, if at any time I do not continue vigilantly in action, people will follow My path in every way."
"For, should I not ever engage myself in action, unwearied, people would in every way follow my path, O Arjuna."
"For, if I were ever not to work unwearied, all men would follow My path, O son of Prtha!"
"Were I not to act without ceasing, O prince, people would be inclined to do the same."
"3.23 यदि if? हि surely? अहम् I? न not? वर्तेयम् engage Myself in action? जातु ever? कर्मणि in action? अतन्द्रितः unwearied? मम My? वर्त्म path? अनुवर्तन्ते follow? मनुष्याः men? पार्थ O Partha? सर्वशः in every way.Commentary If I remain inactive? people also will imitate Me and keep iet. They will all become Tamasic and pass into a state of inertia."
कर्मयोग (Karma Yoga), Verse 24
Verse 24 of 43
SANSKRIT TEXT
उत्सीदेयुरिमे लोका न कुर्यां कर्म चेदहम्। सङ्करस्य च कर्ता स्यामुपहन्यामिमाः प्रजाः।।3.24।।
TRANSLITERATION
utsīdeyur ime lokā na kuryāṁ karma ched aham sankarasya cha kartā syām upahanyām imāḥ prajāḥ
Sanskrit Word Meanings
"If I do not do the work, these people will be lost; and I will be causing chaos in life and thereby ruining all these people."
"These worlds would be ruined if I did not perform action. And I shall become the agent of intermingling (of castes), and shall be destroying these beings."
"These worlds would perish if I did not perform action; I would be the author of confusion of castes and destruction of these beings."
"These worlds would perish if I were not to perform action; and I would be the cause of confusion; I would destroy these people."
"And if I were to refrain from action, the human race would be ruined; I would lead the world to chaos, and destruction would follow."
"3.24 उत्सीदेयुः would perish? इमे these? लोकाः worlds? न not? कुर्याम् would do? कर्म action? चेत् if? अहम् I? सङ्करस्य of confusion of castes? च and? कर्ता author? स्याम् would be? उपहन्याम् would destroy? इमाःthese? प्रजाः beings.Commentary If I did not engage in action? people would also be inactive. They would not do their duties according to the Varnasrama Dharma (code of morals governing their own order and stage of life). Hence confusion of castes would arise. I would have to destroy these beings."
कर्मयोग (Karma Yoga), Verse 25
Verse 25 of 43
SANSKRIT TEXT
सक्ताः कर्मण्यविद्वांसो यथा कुर्वन्ति भारत। कुर्याद्विद्वांस्तथासक्तश्िचकीर्षुर्लोकसंग्रहम्।।3.25।।
TRANSLITERATION
saktāḥ karmaṇyavidvānso yathā kurvanti bhārata kuryād vidvāns tathāsaktaśh chikīrṣhur loka-saṅgraham
Sanskrit Word Meanings
"Just as the ignorant, attached to their work, act, O Arjuna, so too the learned should act without any attachment, and only for the welfare of the world."
"O scion of the Bharata dynasty, as the unenlightened people act with attachment to work, so should the enlightened person act, without attachment, desiring to prevent people from going astray."
"As the ignorant act out of attachment to action, O Bharata, so should the wise act without attachment, wishing for the welfare of the world."
"Therefore, just as the unwise persons, being attached to action, do, O son of Prtha, so the wise should perform, but being unattached and desiring to hold the world together."
"As the ignorant act, out of their fondness for action, so should the wise act without attachment, fixing their eyes, O Arjuna, only on the welfare of the world."
"3.25 सक्ताः attached? कर्मणि to action? अविद्वांसः the ignorant? यथा as? कुर्वन्ति act? भारत O Bharata? कुर्यात् should act? विद्वान् the wise? तथा so? असक्तः unattached? चिकीर्षुः wishing? लोकसंग्रहम् the welfare of the world.Commentary The ignorant man works in expectation of fruits. He says? I will do such and such work and will get such and such fruit. But the wise man who knows the Self? serves not for his own end. He should so act that the world? following his example? would attain peace? harmony? purity of heart? divine light and knowledge. A wise man is one who knows the Self. (Cf.II.64III.19XVIII.49)."
कर्मयोग (Karma Yoga), Verse 26
Verse 26 of 43
SANSKRIT TEXT
न बुद्धिभेदं जनयेदज्ञानां कर्मसङ्गिनाम्। जोषयेत्सर्वकर्माणि विद्वान् युक्तः समाचरन्।।3.26।।
TRANSLITERATION
na buddhi-bhedaṁ janayed ajñānāṁ karma-saṅginām joṣhayet sarva-karmāṇi vidvān yuktaḥ samācharan
Sanskrit Word Meanings
"He should not bewilder the minds of the ignorant who are attached to work; rather, he should himself perform work with devotion and cause others to do the same."
"The enlightened man should not disturb the beliefs of the ignorant, who are attached to work. He should remain diligent himself and make them perform all their duties."
"Let no wise man unsettle the minds of ignorant people who are attached to action; he should engage them in all actions, himself fulfilling them with devotion."
"Let the wise master of Yoga fulfill (or destroy) all actions by performing them all, and let him not create any disturbance in the minds of the ignorant persons attached to action."
"But a wise man should not disturb the minds of the ignorant, who are attached to action; let him perform his own actions in the right spirit, with concentration on Me, thus inspiring all others to do the same."
"3.26 न not? बुद्धिभेदम् unsettlement in the mind? जनयेत् should produce? अज्ञानाम् of the ignorant? कर्मसङ्गिनाम् of the persons attached to actions? जोषयेत् should engage? सर्वकर्माणि all actions? विद्वान् the wise? युक्तः balanced? समाचरन् performing.Commentary An ignorant may says to himelf? I shall do this action and thery enjoy its fruit. A wise man should not unsettle his belief. On the contrary he himself should set an example by performing his duties diligently but without attachment. The wise man should also persuade the ignorant never to neglect their duties. If need be? he should place before them in vivid colours the happiness they would enjoy here and hereafter by discharging such duties. When their hearts get purified in course of time? the wise man could sow the seeds of Karma Yoga (selfless service without deire) in them."
कर्मयोग (Karma Yoga), Verse 27
Verse 27 of 43
SANSKRIT TEXT
प्रकृतेः क्रियमाणानि गुणैः कर्माणि सर्वशः। अहङ्कारविमूढात्मा कर्ताऽहमिति मन्यते।।3.27।।
TRANSLITERATION
prakṛiteḥ kriyamāṇāni guṇaiḥ karmāṇi sarvaśhaḥ ahankāra-vimūḍhātmā kartāham iti manyate
Sanskrit Word Meanings
"Actions are being performed in every way by the Gunas of Prakrti; he whose nature is deluded by egoism, however, thinks, 'I am the doer.'"
"While actions are being done in every way by the gunas (qualities) of Nature, one who is deluded by egoism thinks, "I am the doer.""
"All actions are wrought in all cases by the qualities of Nature alone. He whose mind is deluded by egoism thinks, "I am the doer.""
"The actions are performed part by part by the strands of Prakriti; yet, the person, having his self (mind) deluded with egoity, imagines, 'I am the sole doer.'"
"Action is the product of the qualities inherent in nature. It is only the ignorant man who, misled by personal egotism, says, "I am the doer.""
"3.27 प्रकृतेः of nature? क्रियमाणानि are performed? गुणैः by the alities? कर्माणि actions? सर्वशः in all cases? अहङ्कारविमूढात्मा one whose mind is deluded by egosim? कर्ता doer? अहम् I? इति thus? मन्यते thinks.Commentary Prakriti or Pradhana or Nature is that state in which the three Gunas? viz.? Sattva? Rajas and Tamas exist in a state of eilibrium. When this eilibrium is disturbed? creation begins body? senses? mind? etc.? are formed. The man who is deluded by egoism identifies the Self with the body? mind? the life force and the senses and ascribes to the Self all the attributes of the body and the senses. He? therefore? thinks through ignorance? I am the doer. In reality the Gunas of Nature perform all actions. (Cf.III.29V.9IX.9?10XIII.21?24?30?32XVIII.13?14)."
कर्मयोग (Karma Yoga), Verse 28
Verse 28 of 43
SANSKRIT TEXT
तत्त्ववित्तु महाबाहो गुणकर्मविभागयोः। गुणा गुणेषु वर्तन्त इति मत्वा न सज्जते।।3.28।।
TRANSLITERATION
tattva-vit tu mahā-bāho guṇa-karma-vibhāgayoḥ guṇā guṇeṣhu vartanta iti matvā na sajjate
Sanskrit Word Meanings
"But he who knows the truth about the division of the Gunas and works, O mighty-armed one, through his knowledge that the Gunas 'operate on their own products,' is not attached."
"But, O mighty-armed one, the one who is a knower of the facts about the varieties of the gunas and actions does not become attached, thinking thus: 'The organs act on the objects of the organs.'"
"But he who knows the Truth, O mighty-armed Arjuna, about the divisions of the qualities and their functions, knowing that the Gunas, as senses, move amidst the Gunas, as the sense-objects, is not attached."
"But, O mighty-armed one, the one who knows the true nature of the strands and their respective divisions of work, realizes: 'The strands are in their respective purposes.' And thus, he is not attached."
"But he, O Mighty One, who correctly understands the relationship between the Qualities and action, is not attached to the act, for he perceives that it is merely the action and reaction of the Qualities among themselves."
"3.28 तत्त्ववित् the knower of the Truth? तु but? महाबाहो O mightyarmed? गुणकर्मविभागयोः of the divisions of alities and functions? गुणाः the alities (in the shape of senses)? गुणेषु amidst the alities (in the shape of objects)? वर्तन्ते remain? इति thus? मत्वा knowing? न not? सज्जते is attached.Commentary He who knows the truth that the Self is entirely distinct from the three Gunas and actions does not become attached to the actions. He who knows the truth about the classification of the Gunas and their respective functions understands that the alities as senseorgans move amidst the alities as senseobjects. Therefore he is not attached to the actions. He knows? I am Akarta -- I am not the doer. (Cf.XIV.23)."
कर्मयोग (Karma Yoga), Verse 29
Verse 29 of 43
SANSKRIT TEXT
प्रकृतेर्गुणसम्मूढाः सज्जन्ते गुणकर्मसु। तानकृत्स्नविदो मन्दान्कृत्स्नविन्न विचालयेत्।।3.29।।
TRANSLITERATION
prakṛiter guṇa-sammūḍhāḥ sajjante guṇa-karmasu tān akṛitsna-vido mandān kṛitsna-vin na vichālayet
Sanskrit Word Meanings
"Those who are deluded by the Gunas of Prakrti are attached to the works of the Gunas. But he who knows the whole truth should not disturb the ignorant who do not know the whole truth."
"Those who are completely deluded by the gunas of Nature become attached to the activities of the gunas. The one who knows the All should not disturb those of dull intellect, who do not know the All."
"Those deluded by the qualities of Nature are attached to the functions of the qualities. The man of perfect knowledge should not unsettle the foolish one who is of imperfect knowledge."
"Men, completely deluded by the strands of Prakrti, are attached to the actions of those strands. Those who know fully should not confuse them, whereas the dullards who do not know fully."
"Those who do not understand the qualities are interested in the act; however, the wise man who knows the truth should not disturb the mind of those who do not."
"3.29 प्रकृतेः of nature? गुणसंमूढाः persons deluded by the Gunas? सज्जन्ते are attached? गुणकर्मसु in the functions of the alities? तान् those? अकृत्स्नविदः of imperfect knowledge? मन्दान् the foolish (thedullwitted)? कृत्स्नवित् man of perfect knowledge? न not? विचालयेत् should unsettle.Commentary The ignorant people do action with the expectation of fruits. The wise people who have the knowledge of the Self should not distract the faith or conviction or belief of such ignorant persons. If they unsettle their minds they will give up actions and become victims of inertia. They will lead an idle life. They should be encouraged by the wise to do actions of the Sakama type (actions for the sake of their fruits) in the beginning. The wise ones should turn the minds of the ignorant by giving them gradual instructions on Karma Yoga (Yoga of selfless? desireless action) and its benefits? viz.? purification of the heart that leads to the attainment of Selfrealisation."
कर्मयोग (Karma Yoga), Verse 30
Verse 30 of 43
SANSKRIT TEXT
मयि सर्वाणि कर्माणि संन्यस्याध्यात्मचेतसा। निराशीर्निर्ममो भूत्वा युध्यस्व विगतज्वरः।।3.30।।
TRANSLITERATION
mayi sarvāṇi karmāṇi sannyasyādhyātma-chetasā nirāśhīr nirmamo bhūtvā yudhyasva vigata-jvaraḥ
Sanskrit Word Meanings
"Surrender all your actions to Me, with a mind focused on the Self, free from desire and selfishness, and fight with the heat of excitement abated."
"Free from the fever of the soul, dedicate all actions to Me, with your mind intent on the Self, and become free from expectations and egoism, and engage in battle."
"Renouncing all actions in Me, with the mind centered on the Self, free from hope and egoism, and from mental fever, fight thou."
"Renouncing all actions in Me, with a mind that concentrates on the Self; being free from the act of resting and from the sense of possession; and consequently being free from mental fever; you should fight."
"Therefore, surrender your actions to Me, keep your thoughts focused on the Absolute, free from selfishness and without expecting a reward, with a mind free from excitement, begin to fight."
"3.30 मयि in Me? सर्वाणि all? कर्माणि actions? संन्यस्य renouncing? अध्यात्मचेतसा with the mind centred in the Self? निराशीः free from hope? निर्ममः free from egoism? भूत्वा having become युध्यस्व fight (thou)? विगतज्वरः free from (mental) fever.Commentary Surrender all the actions to Me with the thought? I perform all actions for the sake of the Lord.Fever means grief? sorrow. (Cf.V.10XVIII.66)."
कर्मयोग (Karma Yoga), Verse 31
Verse 31 of 43
SANSKRIT TEXT
ये मे मतमिदं नित्यमनुतिष्ठन्ति मानवाः। श्रद्धावन्तोऽनसूयन्तो मुच्यन्ते तेऽपि कर्मभिः।।3.31।।
TRANSLITERATION
ye me matam idaṁ nityam anutiṣhṭhanti mānavāḥ śhraddhāvanto ’nasūyanto muchyante te ’pi karmabhiḥ
Sanskrit Word Meanings
"Those men who, full of faith, ever practice this teaching of Mine and those who receive it without cavil—even they are released from karma."
"Those who faithfully follow this teaching of Mine without cavil, they too become freed from their actions."
"Those who constantly practice this teaching of Mine with faith and without caviling, they too are freed from actions."
"Those who constantly follow this doctrine of Mine, with faith and without finding fault, are freed from the results of all actions."
"Those who always act in accordance with My precepts, firmly in faith and without caviling, they too are freed from the bondage of action."
"3.31 ये those who? मे My? मतम् teaching? इदम् this? नित्यम् constantly? अनुतिष्ठन्ति practise? मानवाः men? श्रद्धावन्तः full of faith? अनसूयन्तः not cavilling? मुच्यन्ते are freed? ते they? अपि also? कर्मभिः from actions.Commentary Sraddha is a mental attitude. It means faith. It is faith in ones own Self? in the scriptures and in the teachings of the spiritual preceptor. It is compund of the higher emotion of faith? reverence and humility."
कर्मयोग (Karma Yoga), Verse 32
Verse 32 of 43
SANSKRIT TEXT
ये त्वेतदभ्यसूयन्तो नानुतिष्ठन्ति मे मतम्। सर्वज्ञानविमूढांस्तान्विद्धि नष्टानचेतसः।।3.32।।
TRANSLITERATION
ye tvetad abhyasūyanto nānutiṣhṭhanti me matam sarva-jñāna-vimūḍhāns tān viddhi naṣhṭān achetasaḥ
Sanskrit Word Meanings
"But those who slander it, and those who do not practice this teaching of Mine—know them to be utterly senseless and devoid of all knowledge, and thus lost."
"But those who, finding fault where there is none, do not follow My teaching, know them—who are deluded about all knowledge concerning the qualified and the unqualified Brahman and who are devoid of discrimination—to have gone to ruin."
"But those who criticize My teaching and do not practice it, deprived of all knowledge and lacking discernment, know them to be doomed to destruction."
"But those who, finding fault, do not follow this doctrine of Mine - be sure that these men are highly deluded in all branches of knowledge and are lost and brainless."
"But they who ridicule My word and do not observe it, are ignorant, devoid of wisdom, and blind. They seek only their own destruction."
"3.32 ये those who? तु but? एतत् this? अभ्यसूयन्तः carping at? न not? अनुतिष्ठन्ति practise? मे My? मतम् teaching? सर्वज्ञानविमूढान् deluded of all knowledge? तान् them? विद्धि know? नष्टान् ruined? अचेतसः devoid of discrimination.Commentary The pigheaded people who are obstinate? who find fault with the teachings of the Lord and who do not practise them are certainly doomed to destruction. They are incorrigible and senseless persons indeed."
कर्मयोग (Karma Yoga), Verse 33
Verse 33 of 43
SANSKRIT TEXT
सदृशं चेष्टते स्वस्याः प्रकृतेर्ज्ञानवानपि। प्रकृतिं यान्ति भूतानि निग्रहः किं करिष्यति।।3.33।।
TRANSLITERATION
sadṛiśhaṁ cheṣhṭate svasyāḥ prakṛiter jñānavān api prakṛitiṁ yānti bhūtāni nigrahaḥ kiṁ kariṣhyati
Sanskrit Word Meanings
"Even the man of knowledge acts according to his nature; all beings follow their own nature. What will repression accomplish?"
"Even a man of wisdom behaves according to his own nature. They follow their nature. What can restraint do?"
"Even a wise man acts in accordance with his own nature; beings will follow their nature; what can restraint do?"
"Even a man of knowledge acts in accordance with his own Prakriti; the elements return to Prakriti; what will restraint avail?"
"Even the wise man acts in accordance with his nature; indeed, all creatures act according to their natures. What is the use of compulsion then?"
"3.33 सदृशम् in accordance? चेष्टते acts? स्वस्याः of his own? प्रकृतेः of nature? ज्ञानवान् a wise man? अपि even? प्रकृतिम् to nature? यान्ति follow? भूतानि beings? निग्रहः restraint? किम् what? करिष्यति will do.Commentary He who reads this verse will come to the conclusion that there is no scope for mans personal exertion. It is not so. Read the following verse. It clearly indicates that man can coner Nature if he rises above the sway of RagaDvesha (love and hatred).The passionate and ignorant man only comes under the sway of his natural propensities? and his lower nature. He cannot have any restraint over the senses and the two currents of likes and dislikes. The seeker after Truth who is endowed with the four means? and who is constantly practising meditation can easily control Nature. (Cf.II.60V.14XVIII.59)."
कर्मयोग (Karma Yoga), Verse 34
Verse 34 of 43
SANSKRIT TEXT
इन्द्रियस्येन्द्रियस्यार्थे रागद्वेषौ व्यवस्थितौ। तयोर्न वशमागच्छेत्तौ ह्यस्य परिपन्थिनौ।।3.34।।
TRANSLITERATION
indriyasyendriyasyārthe rāga-dveṣhau vyavasthitau tayor na vaśham āgachchhet tau hyasya paripanthinau
Sanskrit Word Meanings
"Each sense has a fixed attachment to and aversion for its corresponding object, but one should not come under their sway, for they are enemies."
"Attraction and repulsion are ordained with respect to the objects of all the organs. One should not be swayed by these two, as they are adversaries."
"Attachment and aversion for the objects of the senses abide in the senses; let no one come under their sway; for, they are his enemies."
"For a man of worldly life, there are clearly fixed likes and dislikes with regard to the objects of each of his sense organs. These are the obstacles for him; the wise would not come under their control."
"The love and hate that are aroused by the objects of sense arise from Nature; do not yield to them, as they only obstruct the path."
"3.34 इन्द्रियस्य इन्द्रियस्य of each sense? अर्थे in the object? रागद्वेषौ attachment and aversion? व्यवस्थितौ seated? तयोः of these two? न not? वशम् sway? आगच्छेत् should come under? तौ these two? हि verily? अस्य his? परिपन्थिनौ foes.Commentary Each sense has got attraction for a pleasant object and aversion for a disagreeable object. If one can control these two currents? viz.? attachment and aversion? he will not come under the sway of these two currents. Here lies the scope for personal exertion or Purushartha. Nature which contains the sum total of ones Samskaras or the latent selfproductive impressions of the past actions of merit and demerit draws a man to its course through the two currents? attachment and aversion. If one can control these two currents? if he can rise above the sway of love and hate through discrimination and Vichara or right eniry? he can coner Nature and attain immortality and eternal bliss. He willl no longer be subject to his own nature now. One should always exert to free himself from attachment and aversion to the objects of the senses."
कर्मयोग (Karma Yoga), Verse 35
Verse 35 of 43
SANSKRIT TEXT
श्रेयान्स्वधर्मो विगुणः परधर्मात्स्वनुष्ठितात्। स्वधर्मे निधनं श्रेयः परधर्मो भयावहः।।3.35।।
TRANSLITERATION
śhreyān swa-dharmo viguṇaḥ para-dharmāt sv-anuṣhṭhitāt swa-dharme nidhanaṁ śhreyaḥ para-dharmo bhayāvahaḥ
Sanskrit Word Meanings
"Better is one's own duty, even if done poorly, than the duty of another done well. It is better to die while performing one's own duty; the duty of another is full of fear."
"One's own duty, though defective, is superior to another's duty well-performed. Death is better while engaged in one's own duty; another's duty is full of fear."
"Better is one's own duty, though devoid of merit, than the duty of another well discharged. Better is death in one's own duty; the duty of another is fraught with fear."
"Better is one's own duty, even if it lacks merit, than the well-performed duty of another; it is better to suffer ruin in one's own duty than to gain success in another's."
"It is better to do one's own duty, however lacking in merit, than to do that of another, even though efficiently. It is better to die doing one's own duty, for doing the duty of another is fraught with danger."
"3.35 श्रेयान् better? स्वधर्मः ones own duty? विगुणः devoid of merit? परधर्मात् than the duty of another? स्वनुष्ठितात् than well discharged? स्वधर्मे in ones own duty? निधनम् death? श्रेयः better? परधर्मः anothers duty? भयावहः fraught with fear.Commentary It is indeed better for man to die discharging his own duty though destitute of merit than for him to live doing the duty of another though performed in a perfect manner. For the duty of another has its pitfalls. The duty of a Kshatriya is to fight in a righteous battle. Arjuna must fight. This is his duty. Even if he dies in the discharge of his own duty? it is better for him. He will go to heaven. He should not do the duty of another man. This will bring him peril. He should not stop from fighting and enter the path of renunciation. (Cf.XVIII.47)."
कर्मयोग (Karma Yoga), Verse 36
Verse 36 of 43
SANSKRIT TEXT
अर्जुन उवाच अथ केन प्रयुक्तोऽयं पापं चरति पूरुषः। अनिच्छन्नपि वार्ष्णेय बलादिव नियोजितः।।3.36।।
TRANSLITERATION
arjuna uvācha atha kena prayukto ’yaṁ pāpaṁ charati pūruṣhaḥ anichchhann api vārṣhṇeya balād iva niyojitaḥ
Sanskrit Word Meanings
"Arjuna said, "But, O Krsna, what impels one to commit sin, even against their own will, as if constrained by force?""
"Arjuna said, "Now then, O scion of the Vrsni dynasty (Krsna), what compels this man to commit sin even against his will, as if he were constrained by force?""
"Arjuna said, "But what compels man to commit sin, even against his wishes, O Varshneya (Krishna), as if constrained by force?""
"Arjuna said, "Then, what induces this person of the world to commit sin, even though they do not desire it, as if they are being overpowered by a force?""
"Arjuna asked, "My Lord, what is it that drives a person to sin, even against their will and as if by compulsion?""
"3.36 अथ now? केन by which? प्रयुक्तः impelled? अयम् this? पापम् sin? चरति does? पूरुषः man? अनिच्छन् not wishing? अपि even? वार्ष्णेय O Varshneya? बलात् by force? इव as it were? नियोजितः constrained.Commentary Varshneya is one born in the family of the Vrishnis? a name of Krishna."
कर्मयोग (Karma Yoga), Verse 37
Verse 37 of 43
SANSKRIT TEXT
श्री भगवानुवाच काम एष क्रोध एष रजोगुणसमुद्भवः। महाशनो महापाप्मा विद्ध्येनमिह वैरिणम्।।3.37।।
TRANSLITERATION
śhrī bhagavān uvācha kāma eṣha krodha eṣha rajo-guṇa-samudbhavaḥ mahāśhano mahā-pāpmā viddhyenam iha vairiṇam
Sanskrit Word Meanings
"The Lord said, "It is desire, it is wrath, born of the guna of rajas; it is a great devourer, an impeller of sin. Know this to be the enemy here.""
"The Blessed Lord said, "This desire, this anger, born of the quality of rajas, is a great devourer, a great source of sin. Know this to be the enemy here.""
"The Blessed Lord said, "It is desire and it is anger, both of the quality of Rajas, all-devouring and all-sinful; know this as the foe here in this world.""
"The Bhagavat said, "This desire, this wrath, born of the Rajas-strand, is a swallower of festivity and a mighty bestower of sins. Know this to be the enemy here.""
"Lord Shri Krishna: It is desire, it is aversion, born of passion. Desire consumes and corrupts all things. It is the greatest enemy of man."
"3.37 कामः desire? एषः this? क्रोधः anger? एषः this? रजोगुणसमुद्भवः born of the Rajoguna? महाशनः alldevouring? महापाप्मा allsinful? विद्धि know? एनम् this? इह here? वैरिणम् the foe.Commentary Bhagavan Bhaga means the six attributes? viz.? Jnana (knowledge)? Vairagya (dispassion)? Kirti (fame)? Aishvarya (divine manifestations and excellences)? Sri (wealth)? and Bala (might). He who possesses these six attributes and who has a perfect knowledge of the origin and the end of the universe is Bhagavan or the Lord.The cause of all sin and wrong action in this world is desire. Anger is desire itself. When a desire is not gratified? the man becomes angry against those who stand as obstacles on the path of fulfilment.The desire is born of the ality of Rajas. When desire arises? it generates Rajas and urges the man to work in order to possess the object. Therefore? know that this desire is mans foe on this earth. (Cf.XVI.21)."
कर्मयोग (Karma Yoga), Verse 38
Verse 38 of 43
SANSKRIT TEXT
धूमेनाव्रियते वह्निर्यथाऽऽदर्शो मलेन च। यथोल्बेनावृतो गर्भस्तथा तेनेदमावृतम्।।3.38।।
TRANSLITERATION
dhūmenāvriyate vahnir yathādarśho malena cha yatholbenāvṛito garbhas tathā tenedam āvṛitam
Sanskrit Word Meanings
"As a fire is enveloped by smoke, as a mirror is covered by dust, and as an embryo is encased in the amniotic sac, so is this world enveloped by desire."
"As fire is enveloped by smoke, as a mirror is obscured by dirt, and as a fetus remains enclosed in the womb, so is this shrouded by that."
"As fire is enveloped by smoke, as a mirror is covered by dust, and as an embryo is surrounded by the amniotic sac, so is this enveloped by that."
"As fire is concealed by smoke, a mirror by dirt, and an embryo by its membrane-cover, so He is concealed by this foe."
"As fire is shrouded by smoke, a mirror is covered by dust, and a child is enveloped by the womb, so is the universe enveloped in desire."
"3.38 धूमेन by smoke? आव्रियते is enveloped? वह्निः fire? यथा as? आदर्शः a mirror? मलेन by dust? च and? यथा as? उल्बेन by the amnion? आवृतः enveloped? गर्भः embryo? तथा so? तेन by it? इदम् this? आवृतम् enveloped.Commentary This means the universe. This also means knowledge. That means desire."
कर्मयोग (Karma Yoga), Verse 39
Verse 39 of 43
SANSKRIT TEXT
आवृतं ज्ञानमेतेन ज्ञानिनो नित्यवैरिणा। कामरूपेण कौन्तेय दुष्पूरेणानलेन च।।3.39।।
TRANSLITERATION
āvṛitaṁ jñānam etena jñānino nitya-vairiṇā kāma-rūpeṇa kaunteya duṣhpūreṇānalena cha
Sanskrit Word Meanings
"The knowledge of the intelligent self is enveloped by this constant enemy, O Arjuna, which is of the nature of desire and is difficult to gratify and insatiable."
"O son of Kunti, knowledge is covered by this constant enemy of the wise, in the form of desire, which is an insatiable fire."
"O Arjuna, wisdom is enveloped by this constant enemy of the wise, in the form of desire, which is insatiable like fire."
"O son of Kunti! The knowledge of the wise is concealed by this eternal foe, which appears desirable yet is insatiable like fire."
"It is the wise man's constant enemy; it tarnishes the face of wisdom, being as insatiable as a flame of fire."
"3.39 आवृतम् enveloped? ज्ञानम् wisdom? एतेन by this? ज्ञानिनः of the wise? नित्यवैरिणा by the constant enemy? कामरूपेण whose form is desire? कौन्तेय O Kaunteya? दुष्पूरेण unappeasable? अनलेन by fire? च and.Commentary Manu says? Desire can never be satiated or cooled down by the enjoyment ofobjects. But as fire blazes forth the more when fed with Ghee (melted butter) and wood? so it grows the more it feeds on the objects of enjoyment. If all the foodstuffs of the earth? all the precious metals? all the animals and all the beautiful women were to pass into the possession of one man endowed with desire? they would still fail to give him satisfaction.The ignorant man considers desire as his friend when he craves for objects. He welcomes desire for the gratification of the senses but the wise man knows from experience even before suffering the conseence that desire will bring only troubles and misery for him. So it is a constant enemy of the wise but not of the ignorant."
कर्मयोग (Karma Yoga), Verse 40
Verse 40 of 43
SANSKRIT TEXT
इन्द्रियाणि मनो बुद्धिरस्याधिष्ठानमुच्यते। एतैर्विमोहयत्येष ज्ञानमावृत्य देहिनम्।।3.40।।
TRANSLITERATION
indriyāṇi mano buddhir asyādhiṣhṭhānam uchyate etair vimohayatyeṣha jñānam āvṛitya dehinam
Sanskrit Word Meanings
"The senses, the mind, and the intellect are said to be its instruments; by these, it overpowers the embodied self, enveloping its knowledge."
"The organs, mind, and intellect are said to be its abode. This one diversely deludes the embodied being, veiling Knowledge with the help of these."
"The senses, the mind, and the intellect are said to be its seat; through these, it deludes the embodied one, veiling their wisdom."
"It is said to be based on the sense-organs, the mind, and the intellect. With these, it deludes the embodied by concealing knowledge."
"It works through the senses, the mind, and the reason; and with their help, it destroys wisdom and confounds the soul."
"3.40 इन्द्रियाणि the senses? मनः the mind? बुद्धिः the intellect? अस्य its? अधिष्ठानम् seat? उच्यते is called? एतैः by these? विमोहयति deludes? एषः this? ज्ञानम् wisdom? आवृत्य having enveloped? देहिनम् the embodied.Commentary If the abode of the enemy is known it is ite easy to kill him. So Lord Krishna like a wise army general points out to Arjuna the abode of desire so that he may be able to attack it and kill it ite readily."
कर्मयोग (Karma Yoga), Verse 41
Verse 41 of 43
SANSKRIT TEXT
तस्मात्त्वमिन्द्रियाण्यादौ नियम्य भरतर्षभ। पाप्मानं प्रजहि ह्येनं ज्ञानविज्ञाननाशनम्।।3.41।।
TRANSLITERATION
tasmāt tvam indriyāṇyādau niyamya bharatarṣhabha pāpmānaṁ prajahi hyenaṁ jñāna-vijñāna-nāśhanam
Sanskrit Word Meanings
"Therefore, O Arjuna, control your senses from the outset and slay this sinful thing that destroys both knowledge and discernment."
"Therefore, O scion of the Bharata dynasty, after first controlling the organs, completely renounce this one which is sinful and a destroyer of learning and wisdom."
"Therefore, O best of the Bharatas, control your senses first and then kill this sinful thing, which destroys knowledge and realization."
"Therefore, O best among the Bharatas, you must avoid this sinful one, destroying knowledge and action, by controlling completely the sense-organs in the beginning itself."
"Therefore, O Arjuna, first control your senses and then slay desire, for it is full of sin and is the destroyer of knowledge and wisdom."
"3.41 तस्मात् therefore? त्वम् you? इन्द्रियाणि the senses? आदौ in the beginning? नियम्य having controlled? भरतर्षभ O best of the Bharatas? पाप्मानम् the sinful? प्रजहि kill? हि surely? एनम् this? ज्ञानविज्ञाननाशनम् the destroyer of knowledge and realisation (wisdom).Commentary Jnana is knowledge obtained through the study of scriptures. This is indirect knowledge or Paroksha Jnana. Vijnana is direct knowledge or personal experience or Anubhava through Selfrealisation or Aparoksha Jnana. Control the senses first and then kill desire."
कर्मयोग (Karma Yoga), Verse 42
Verse 42 of 43
SANSKRIT TEXT
इन्द्रियाणि पराण्याहुरिन्द्रियेभ्यः परं मनः। मनसस्तु परा बुद्धिर्यो बुद्धेः परतस्तु सः।।3.42।।
TRANSLITERATION
indriyāṇi parāṇyāhur indriyebhyaḥ paraṁ manaḥ manasas tu parā buddhir yo buddheḥ paratas tu saḥ
Sanskrit Word Meanings
"They say that the senses are high, the mind is higher than the senses, the intellect is higher than the mind, but what is greater than the intellect is that (desire)."
"They say that the organs are superior to the gross body; the mind is superior to the organs; and the intellect is superior to the mind. However, He is superior to the intellect."
"They say that the senses are superior to the body; the mind is superior to the senses; the intellect is superior to the mind; and He (the Self) is superior even to the intellect."
"It is said that the sense-organs are different from their objects; the mind is different from the sense-organs; the intellect is different from the mind; and That (Self) is different from the intellect."
"It is said that the senses are powerful; however, beyond the senses is the mind, beyond the mind is the intellect, and greater than the intellect is He."
"3.42 इन्द्रियाणि the senses? पराणि superior? आहुः (they) say? इन्द्रियेभ्यः than the senses? परम् superior? मनः the mind? मनसः than the mind? तु but? परा superior? बुद्धिः intellect? यः who? बुद्धेः than the intellect? परतः greater? तु but? सः He.Commentary When compared with the physical body which is gross? external and limited? the senses are certainly superior as they are more subtle? internal and have a wider range of activity. The mind is superior to the senses? as the senses cannot do anything independently without the help of the mind. The mind can perform the functions of the five senses. The intellect is superior to the mind because it is endowed with the faculty of discrimination. When the mind is in a state of doubt? the intellect comes to its resuce. The Self? the Witness? is superior even to the intellect? as the intellect borrows its light from the Self."
कर्मयोग (Karma Yoga), Verse 43
Verse 43 of 43
SANSKRIT TEXT
एवं बुद्धेः परं बुद्ध्वा संस्तभ्यात्मानमात्मना। जहि शत्रुं महाबाहो कामरूपं दुरासदम्।।3.43।।
TRANSLITERATION
evaṁ buddheḥ paraṁ buddhvā sanstabhyātmānam ātmanā jahi śhatruṁ mahā-bāho kāma-rūpaṁ durāsadam
Sanskrit Word Meanings
"Thus, knowing that which is higher than the intellect and fixing the mind with the help of the intellect in Karma Yoga, O Arjuna, slay this enemy which takes the form of desire, and which is difficult to overcome."
"[The Ast, introduces this verse with, 'Tatah kim, what follows from that?'-Tr.] Understanding the Self thus as superior to the intellect, and completely establishing (the Self) through spiritual absorption with the (help of) the mind, O mighty-armed one, the enemy in the form of desire, which is difficult to subdue, vanishes."
"Thus, knowing Him who is superior to the intellect and restraining the self by the Self, slay thou, O mighty-armed Arjuna, the enemy in the form of desire, hard to conquer."
"Thus, being conscious that it is different from the intellect, and steadying the self with the self, kill the foe that is of the form of desire and that is hard to approach."
"Thus, O Mighty-Armed One, knowing Him to be beyond the intellect, and with His help, subdue your personal ego and kill your enemy, Desire, even though it is extremely difficult."
"3.43 एवम् thus? बुद्धेः than the intellect? परम् superior? बुद्ध्वा having known? संस्तभ्य restraining? आत्मानम् the self? आत्मना by the Self? जहि slay thou? शत्रुम् the enemy? महाबाहो O mightyarmed? कामरूपम् of the form of desire? दुरासदम् hard to coner.Commentary Restrain the lower self by the higher Self. Subdue the lower mind by the higher mind. It is difficult to coner desire because it is of a highly complex and incomprehensible nature. But a man of discrimination and dispassion who does constant and intense Sadhana can coner it ite easily. Desire is the ality of Rajas. If you increase the Sattvic ality in you? you can coner desire. Rajas cannot stand before Sattva.Even though desire is hard to coner? it is not impossible. The simple and direct method is to appeal to the Indwelling Presence (God) through prayer and Japa.Thus in the Upanishads of the glorious Bhagavad Gita? the science of the Eternal? the scripture of Yoga? the dialogue between Sri Krishna and Arjuna? ends the third discourse entitledThe Yoga of Action."