UtshovChapter 3
3.1
अर्जुन उवाच
ज्यायसी चेत्कर्मणस्ते मता बुद्धिर्जनार्दन।
तत्किं कर्मणि घोरे मां नियोजयसि केशव।।3.1।।
Arjuna uvacha
Jyayasi chetkarmanaste mata buddhirjanardana
Tatkim karmani ghore mam niyojayasi keshava
Simple meaning, written by AIArjuna says: O Janardana, if your wisdom is superior to action, why do you assign me to this terrible work, O Keshava?
3.2
व्यामिश्रेणेव वाक्येन बुद्धिं मोहयसीव मे।
तदेकं वद निश्िचत्य येन श्रेयोऽहमाप्नुयाम्।।3.2।।
Vyamishreneva vakyena buddhim mohayasiva me
Tadekam vada nishichatya yena shreyohamapnuyam
Simple meaning, written by AIYou are confusing my mind with mixed words; speak one clear statement so I may attain the highest good.
3.3
श्री भगवानुवाच
लोकेऽस्मिन्द्विविधा निष्ठा पुरा प्रोक्ता मयानघ।
ज्ञानयोगेन सांख्यानां कर्मयोगेन योगिनाम्।।3.3।।
Shri bhagavanuvacha
Lokesmindvividha nishtha pura prokta mayanagha
Gyanayogena sankhyanam karmayogena yoginam
Simple meaning, written by AIThe Lord says that in this world there are two kinds of devotion: followers of knowledge practice the yoga of knowledge, and followers of action practice the yoga of action.
3.4
न कर्मणामनारम्भान्नैष्कर्म्यं पुरुषोऽश्नुते।
न च संन्यसनादेव सिद्धिं समधिगच्छति।।3.4।।
Na karmanamanarambhannaishkarmyam purushoshnute
Na cha sannyasanadeva siddhim samadhigachchhati
Simple meaning, written by AIA person does not attain freedom from action without first engaging in action, nor does he achieve perfection merely by renouncing.
3.5
न हि कश्िचत्क्षणमपि जातु तिष्ठत्यकर्मकृत्।
कार्यते ह्यवशः कर्म सर्वः प्रकृतिजैर्गुणैः।।3.5।।
Na hi kashichatkshanamapi jatu tishthatyakarmakrit
Karyate hyavashah karma sarvah prakritijairgunaih
Simple meaning, written by AINo one ever remains without performing any action; all actions are performed inevitably under the influence of the three qualities of nature.
3.6
कर्मेन्द्रियाणि संयम्य य आस्ते मनसा स्मरन्।
इन्द्रियार्थान्विमूढात्मा मिथ्याचारः स उच्यते।।3.6।।
Karmendriyani sanyamya ya aste manasa smaran
Indriyarthanvimudhatma mithyacharah sa uchyate
Simple meaning, written by AIOne who restrains the senses, stays in the self, and remembers the divine with the mind, yet is deluded by sense objects, is called a false practitioner.
3.7
यस्त्विन्द्रियाणि मनसा नियम्यारभतेऽर्जुन।
कर्मेन्द्रियैः कर्मयोगमसक्तः स विशिष्यते।।3.7।।
Yastvindriyani manasa niyamyarabhaterjuna
Karmendriyaih karmayogamasaktah sa vishishyate
Simple meaning, written by AIOne who restrains the senses with the mind and works with the senses without attachment to the results is distinguished.
3.8
नियतं कुरु कर्म त्वं कर्म ज्यायो ह्यकर्मणः।
शरीरयात्रापि च ते न प्रसिद्ध्येदकर्मणः।।3.8।।
Niyatam kuru karma tvam karma jyayo hyakarmanah
Sharirayatrapi cha te na prasiddhyedakarmanah
Simple meaning, written by AIDo your prescribed duty; action is superior to inaction, and even the journey of the body is unknown without action.
3.9
यज्ञार्थात्कर्मणोऽन्यत्र लोकोऽयं कर्मबन्धनः।
तदर्थं कर्म कौन्तेय मुक्तसंगः समाचर।।3.9।।
Yagyarthatkarmanonyatra lokoyam karmabandhanah
Tadartham karma kaunteya muktasangah samachara
Simple meaning, written by AIExcept for sacrifice, all work binds people; therefore, O Arjuna, perform your duties without attachment.
3.10
सहयज्ञाः प्रजाः सृष्ट्वा पुरोवाच प्रजापतिः।
अनेन प्रसविष्यध्वमेष वोऽस्त्विष्टकामधुक्।।3.10।।
Sahayagyah prajah srishtva purovacha prajapatih
Anena prasavishyadhvamesha vostvishtakamadhuk
Simple meaning, written by AIThe Lord of creation, after making people as co‑workers in sacrifice, said: by this you will be reborn and your wishes will be fulfilled.
3.11
देवान्भावयतानेन ते देवा भावयन्तु वः।
परस्परं भावयन्तः श्रेयः परमवाप्स्यथ।।3.11।।
Devanbhavayatanena te deva bhavayantu vah
Parasparam bhavayantah shreyah paramavapsyatha
Simple meaning, written by AIIf you honor the gods, they will honor you; by honoring one another you will obtain the supreme welfare.
3.12
इष्टान्भोगान्हि वो देवा दास्यन्ते यज्ञभाविताः।
तैर्दत्तानप्रदायैभ्यो यो भुङ्क्ते स्तेन एव सः।।3.12।।
Ishtanbhoganhi vo deva dasyante yagyabhavitah
Tairdattanapradayaibhyo yo bhunkte stena eva sah
Simple meaning, written by AIThe gods, pleased by sacrifice, will give you the enjoyments you desire. Whoever enjoys what they have given without offering anything back to them is indeed a thief.
3.13
यज्ञशिष्टाशिनः सन्तो मुच्यन्ते सर्वकिल्बिषैः।
भुञ्जते ते त्वघं पापा ये पचन्त्यात्मकारणात्।।3.13।।
Yagyashishtashinah santo muchyante sarvakilbishaih
Bhunjate te tvagham papa ye pachantyatmakaranat
Simple meaning, written by AIGood people who eat the remnant of sacrifice are freed from all sins. But sinful people who cook only for their own sake eat sin.
3.14
अन्नाद्भवन्ति भूतानि पर्जन्यादन्नसम्भवः।
यज्ञाद्भवति पर्जन्यो यज्ञः कर्मसमुद्भवः।।3.14।।
Annadbhavanti bhutani parjanyadannasambhavah
Yagyadbhavati parjanyo yagyah karmasamudbhavah
Simple meaning, written by AIBeings are born from food. Food comes from rain, rain comes from sacrifice, and sacrifice arises from action.
3.15
कर्म ब्रह्मोद्भवं विद्धि ब्रह्माक्षरसमुद्भवम्।
तस्मात्सर्वगतं ब्रह्म नित्यं यज्ञे प्रतिष्ठितम्।।3.15।।
Karma brahmodbhavam viddhi brahmaksharasamudbhavam
Tasmatsarvagatam brahma nityam yagye pratishthitam
Simple meaning, written by AIKnow that action arises from Brahman, and Brahman arises from the imperishable. Therefore the all-pervading Brahman is always established in sacrifice.
3.16
एवं प्रवर्तितं चक्रं नानुवर्तयतीह यः।
अघायुरिन्द्रियारामो मोघं पार्थ स जीवति।।3.16।।
Evam pravartitam chakram nanuvartayatiha yah
Aghayurindriyaramo mogham partha sa jivati
Simple meaning, written by AIWhoever does not follow the wheel set in motion in this way, living in sin and delighting in the senses, O Partha, lives in vain.
3.17
यस्त्वात्मरतिरेव स्यादात्मतृप्तश्च मानवः।
आत्मन्येव च सन्तुष्टस्तस्य कार्यं न विद्यते।।3.17।।
Yastvatmaratireva syadatmatriptashcha manavah
Atmanyeva cha santushtastasya karyam na vidyate
Simple meaning, written by AIA person who is devoted only to his own self and is satisfied with the self has no other duty to perform.
3.18
नैव तस्य कृतेनार्थो नाकृतेनेह कश्चन।
न चास्य सर्वभूतेषु कश्िचदर्थव्यपाश्रयः।।3.18।।
Naiva tasya kritenartho nakriteneha kashchana
Na chasya sarvabhuteshu kashichadarthavyapashrayah
Simple meaning, written by AIFor such a person there is no gain in doing or not doing, and he does not depend on any being for any purpose.
3.19
तस्मादसक्तः सततं कार्यं कर्म समाचर।
असक्तो ह्याचरन्कर्म परमाप्नोति पूरुषः।।3.19।।
Tasmadasaktah satatam karyam karma samachara
Asakto hyacharankarma paramapnoti purushah
Simple meaning, written by AITherefore, act constantly in your prescribed duty without attachment; the unattached performer of action attains the supreme.
3.20
कर्मणैव हि संसिद्धिमास्थिता जनकादयः।
लोकसंग्रहमेवापि संपश्यन्कर्तुमर्हसि।।3.20।।
Karmanaiva hi sansiddhimasthita janakadayah
Lokasangrahamevapi sampashyankartumarhasi
Simple meaning, written by AIIndeed, through action alone the ancestors and others achieve fulfillment; you should also see that the aim of action is the welfare of the world.
3.21
यद्यदाचरति श्रेष्ठस्तत्तदेवेतरो जनः।
स यत्प्रमाणं कुरुते लोकस्तदनुवर्तते।।3.21।।
Yadyadacharati shreshthastattadevetaro janah
Sa yatpramanam kurute lokastadanuvartate
Simple meaning, written by AIWhatever the best person does, others follow the same; the world imitates his standard.
3.22
न मे पार्थास्ति कर्तव्यं त्रिषु लोकेषु किञ्चन।
नानवाप्तमवाप्तव्यं वर्त एव च कर्मणि।।3.22।।
Na me parthasti kartavyam trishu lokeshu kinchana
Nanavaptamavaptavyam varta eva cha karmani
Simple meaning, written by AIPartha, I have no duty in the three worlds, and nothing is there that I have not attained or need to attain; still, I remain engaged in action.
3.23
यदि ह्यहं न वर्तेयं जातु कर्मण्यतन्द्रितः।
मम वर्त्मानुवर्तन्ते मनुष्याः पार्थ सर्वशः।।3.23।।
Yadi hyaham na varteyam jatu karmanyatandritah
Mama vartmanuvartante manushyah partha sarvashah
Simple meaning, written by AIPartha, if I did not engage in action ever, without weariness, people would follow my path in every way.
3.24
उत्सीदेयुरिमे लोका न कुर्यां कर्म चेदहम्।
सङ्करस्य च कर्ता स्यामुपहन्यामिमाः प्रजाः।।3.24।।
Utsideyurime loka na kuryam karma chedaham
Sankarasya cha karta syamupahanyamimah prajah
Simple meaning, written by AIIf I did not perform action, these worlds would perish; I would become the cause of confusion and would destroy these people.
3.25
सक्ताः कर्मण्यविद्वांसो यथा कुर्वन्ति भारत।
कुर्याद्विद्वांस्तथासक्तश्िचकीर्षुर्लोकसंग्रहम्।।3.25।।
Saktah karmanyavidvanso yatha kurvanti bharata
Kuryadvidvanstathasaktashichakirshurlokasangraham
Simple meaning, written by AIBharata, as the unwise act attached to action, the wise should act in the same way but without attachment, desiring to keep the world together.
3.26
न बुद्धिभेदं जनयेदज्ञानां कर्मसङ्गिनाम्।
जोषयेत्सर्वकर्माणि विद्वान् युक्तः समाचरन्।।3.26।।
Na buddhibhedam janayedagyanam karmasanginam
Joshayetsarvakarmani vidvan yuktah samacharan
Simple meaning, written by AIThe wise should not unsettle the minds of ignorant people who are attached to action; while acting with discipline, the wise should encourage them in all their actions.
3.27
प्रकृतेः क्रियमाणानि गुणैः कर्माणि सर्वशः।
अहङ्कारविमूढात्मा कर्ताऽहमिति मन्यते।।3.27।।
Prakriteh kriyamanani gunaih karmani sarvashah
Ahankaravimudhatma kartahamiti manyate
Simple meaning, written by AIAll actions are performed in every way by the gunas of prakriti. The self deluded by ego thinks, “I am the doer.”
3.28
तत्त्ववित्तु महाबाहो गुणकर्मविभागयोः।
गुणा गुणेषु वर्तन्त इति मत्वा न सज्जते।।3.28।।
Tattvavittu mahabaho gunakarmavibhagayoh
Guna guneshu vartanta iti matva na sajjate
Simple meaning, written by AIO mighty-armed one, the person who knows the truth understands the division of guna and karma. Knowing that the gunas act upon the gunas, they do not become attached.
3.29
प्रकृतेर्गुणसम्मूढाः सज्जन्ते गुणकर्मसु।
तानकृत्स्नविदो मन्दान्कृत्स्नविन्न विचालयेत्।।3.29।।
Prakritergunasammudhah sajjante gunakarmasu
Tanakritsnavido mandankritsnavinna vichalayet
Simple meaning, written by AIThose deluded by the gunas of prakriti become attached to guna-based actions. The one who knows the whole truth should not unsettle those of incomplete knowledge and dull understanding.
3.30
मयि सर्वाणि कर्माणि संन्यस्याध्यात्मचेतसा।
निराशीर्निर्ममो भूत्वा युध्यस्व विगतज्वरः।।3.30।।
Mayi sarvani karmani sannyasyadhyatmachetasa
Nirashirnirmamo bhutva yudhyasva vigatajvarah
Simple meaning, written by AISurrender all actions to Me, with your mind fixed on the self, free from desire and from the sense of “mine.” Free from fever, fight.
3.31
ये मे मतमिदं नित्यमनुतिष्ठन्ति मानवाः।
श्रद्धावन्तोऽनसूयन्तो मुच्यन्ते तेऽपि कर्मभिः।।3.31।।
Ye me matamidam nityamanutishthanti manavah
Shraddhavantonasuyanto muchyante tepi karmabhih
Simple meaning, written by AIPeople who always follow this teaching of Mine, with faith and without finding fault, are freed from actions.
3.32
ये त्वेतदभ्यसूयन्तो नानुतिष्ठन्ति मे मतम्।
सर्वज्ञानविमूढांस्तान्विद्धि नष्टानचेतसः।।3.32।।
Ye tvetadabhyasuyanto nanutishthanti me matam
Sarvagyanavimudhanstanviddhi nashtanachetasah
Simple meaning, written by AIThose who find fault with this teaching and do not follow it should be known as deluded in all knowledge, lost, and senseless.
3.33
सदृशं चेष्टते स्वस्याः प्रकृतेर्ज्ञानवानपि।
प्रकृतिं यान्ति भूतानि निग्रहः किं करिष्यति।।3.33।।
Sadrisham cheshtate svasyah prakritergyanavanapi
Prakritim yanti bhutani nigrahah kim karishyati
Simple meaning, written by AIEven a wise person acts according to his own nature, and all beings follow their nature. What can restraint accomplish?
3.34
इन्द्रियस्येन्द्रियस्यार्थे रागद्वेषौ व्यवस्थितौ।
तयोर्न वशमागच्छेत्तौ ह्यस्य परिपन्थिनौ।।3.34।।
Indriyasyendriyasyarthe ragadveshau vyavasthitau
Tayorna vashamagachchhettau hyasya paripanthinau
Simple meaning, written by AIAttachment and aversion are fixed in the senses toward their objects. One should not come under their control, for they are obstacles.
3.35
श्रेयान्स्वधर्मो विगुणः परधर्मात्स्वनुष्ठितात्।
स्वधर्मे निधनं श्रेयः परधर्मो भयावहः।।3.35।।
Shreyansvadharmo vigunah paradharmatsvanushthitat
Svadharme nidhanam shreyah paradharmo bhayavahah
Simple meaning, written by AIOne's own dharma, even if imperfect, is better than another's dharma well performed. Death in one's own dharma is better, while another's dharma brings fear.
3.36
अर्जुन उवाच
अथ केन प्रयुक्तोऽयं पापं चरति पूरुषः।
अनिच्छन्नपि वार्ष्णेय बलादिव नियोजितः।।3.36।।
Arjuna uvacha
Atha kena prayuktoyam papam charati purushah
Anichchhannapi varshneya baladiva niyojitah
Simple meaning, written by AIArjuna said: O Varshneya, by what is a person impelled to commit sin, even unwilling, as if driven by force?
3.37
श्री भगवानुवाच
काम एष क्रोध एष रजोगुणसमुद्भवः।
महाशनो महापाप्मा विद्ध्येनमिह वैरिणम्।।3.37।।
Shri bhagavanuvacha
Kama esha krodha esha rajogunasamudbhavah
Mahashano mahapapma viddhyenamiha vairinam
Simple meaning, written by AIThe Lord said: This desire, born of the rajas guna, is anger. It is a great devourer and a great sinner; know it to be the enemy here.
3.38
धूमेनाव्रियते वह्निर्यथाऽऽदर्शो मलेन च।
यथोल्बेनावृतो गर्भस्तथा तेनेदमावृतम्।।3.38।।
Dhumenavriyate vahniryathadarsho malena cha
Yatholbenavrito garbhastatha tenedamavritam
Simple meaning, written by AIAs fire is covered by smoke, a mirror by dust, and an embryo by its membrane, so this knowledge is covered by that desire.
3.39
आवृतं ज्ञानमेतेन ज्ञानिनो नित्यवैरिणा।
कामरूपेण कौन्तेय दुष्पूरेणानलेन च।।3.39।।
Avritam gyanametena gyanino nityavairina
Kamarupena kaunteya dushpurenanalena cha
Simple meaning, written by AIKnowledge is covered by this constant enemy of the wise, which takes the form of desire, O son of Kunti, and which, like fire, can never be satisfied.
3.40
इन्द्रियाणि मनो बुद्धिरस्याधिष्ठानमुच्यते।
एतैर्विमोहयत्येष ज्ञानमावृत्य देहिनम्।।3.40।।
Indriyani mano buddhirasyadhishthanamuchyate
Etairvimohayatyesha gyanamavritya dehinam
Simple meaning, written by AIThe senses, the mind, and the intellect are said to be its seat. Through them it covers knowledge and deludes the embodied self.
3.41
तस्मात्त्वमिन्द्रियाण्यादौ नियम्य भरतर्षभ।
पाप्मानं प्रजहि ह्येनं ज्ञानविज्ञाननाशनम्।।3.41।।
Tasmattvamindriyanyadau niyamya bharatarshabha
Papmanam prajahi hyenam gyanavigyananashanam
Simple meaning, written by AITherefore, O best of Bharata, first control the senses and then slay this sinful enemy, which destroys knowledge and discernment.
3.42
इन्द्रियाणि पराण्याहुरिन्द्रियेभ्यः परं मनः।
मनसस्तु परा बुद्धिर्यो बुद्धेः परतस्तु सः।।3.42।।
Indriyani paranyahurindriyebhyah param manah
Manasastu para buddhiryo buddheh paratastu sah
Simple meaning, written by AIThe senses are called higher, but beyond the senses is the mind; beyond the mind is intelligence, and beyond intelligence is the supreme.
3.43
एवं बुद्धेः परं बुद्ध्वा संस्तभ्यात्मानमात्मना।
जहि शत्रुं महाबाहो कामरूपं दुरासदम्।।3.43।।
Evam buddheh param buddhva sanstabhyatmanamatmana
Jahi shatrum mahabaho kamarupam durasadam
Simple meaning, written by AIKnowing what is beyond intelligence, restrain the self with the self, O mighty‑armed one, and destroy the enemy that is desire in the form of a terrible foe.