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Reference:

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BG Chapter 03:  Karma Yoga

 

Original date of web publication: May 10, 2009

 

अर्जुन उवाच 

ज्यायसी चेत्कर्मणस्ते मता बुद्धिर्जनार्दन ।

तत्किं कर्मणि घोरे मां नियोजयसि केशव ॥३- १॥  3.1

arjuna uvāca
jyāyasī cet karmaṇ
as te matā buddhir janārdana
tat ki
ṁ karmaṇi ghore mā niyojayasi keśava 3.1

arjuna uvāca

jyāyasī1 cet2 karmaṇa3 te4 matā5 buddhi6 janārdana7
tat
8 kim9 karmaṇi
10 ghore11 mām12 niyojayasi13 keśava14   3.1

 

arjuna = Arjuna; uvāca = said;  janārdana7= O Janardana; cet2 = if it is; te4 = your; matā5 = sentiment, opinion, view; [that] buddhi6 = Wisdom;  jyāyasī1 = is excellent, is superior;  karmaṇa3 = to action; tat8 = therefore; kim9 = why; [are You]  niyojayasi13 mām12 = getting me involved; ghore11 = in terrible, horrible; karmaṇi10 = action; keśava14   = O Kesava (Krishna)?  3.1

 

3.1: Arjuna said, O Janardana, You said that knowledge (Buddhi) is superior to action (Karma). O Kesava, therefore, why do you get me involved in this horrible act?                    

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व्यामिश्रेणेव वाक्येन बुद्धिं मोहयसीव मे ।

तदेकं वद निश्चित्य येन श्रेयोऽहमाप्नुयाम् ॥३- २॥

vyāmiśreṇeva vākyena buddhiṁ mohayasīva me
tad ekaṁ vada niścitya yena śreyoham āpnuyām 3.2

vyāmiśreṇa1A iva1B vākyena2 buddhim3 mohayasi4 iva5 me6
tat7 ekam8 vada9 niścitya
10 yena11 śreya12 aham13 āpnuyām14  3.2

 

mohayasi4 = You are perplexing; me6= my; buddhim3 = understanding, perception; iva5 = as such; vyāmiśreṇa1A iva1B = by confusing; vākyena2 = words. vada9 = Tell, say; niścitya10 = with certainty;  tat7 = that; ekam8 = one;  yena11 = by which [by one of which--knowledge or action];  śreya12 + aham13 + āpnuyām14   =  I13 may gain14  eminence12 3.2

 

3.2: By using confusing words, you perplex my mind. Therefore tell me with certainty that one thing by which I may obtain bliss (Srēyah = Bliss, eminence, greatness).

Copyright © 2009 Veeraswamy Krishnaraj

 

श्रीभगवानुवाच 

लोकेऽस्मिन्द्विविधा निष्ठा पुरा प्रोक्ता मयानघ ।

ज्ञानयोगेन सांख्यानां कर्मयोगेन योगिनाम् ॥३- ३॥

śrībhagavān uvāca
lokesmin dvividhā niṣṭ
hā purā proktā mayānagha
jñānayogena sā
ṅkhyānāṁ karmayogena yoginām 3.3

śrībhagavān uvāca
loke
1 asmin2 dvi-vidhā3 niṣṭ4 purā5 proktā6 mayā7 anagha8
jñāna-yogena9ṅkhyānām
10 karma-yogena11 yoginām12  

 

śrībhagavān = Sri Bhagavan (Krishna); uvāca = said: anagha8= O Stainless one, O faultless one; dvi-vidhā3 = two kinds of ; niṣṭ4 = Nishtai, steadfast application;  loke1 asmin2 = in this world; proktā6 = was said;  purā5 = in the past;  mayā7 =  by Me:  jñāna-yogena9 = by Jnana Yoga, Yoga of Knowledge; ṅkhyānām10 = for Sankhya Yogi; karma-yogena11 = Karma Yoga; yoginām12 = for the Karma Yogi. 3.3

 

3.3: Sri Bhagavan said: In this world, as said before by me, O sinless One, there are two-fold (two) paths, Jnāna yoga (Yoga of knowledge) for men of contemplation (Sankhya Yogi) and Karma yoga (Yoga of action) for men of action (Karma Yogi).  

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न कर्मणामनारम्भान्नैष्कर्म्यं पुरुषोऽश्नुते ।

न च संन्यसनादेव सिद्धिं समधिगच्छति ॥३- ४॥

na karmaṇām anārambhān naiṣkarmyaṁ puruṣośnute
na ca sa
nyasanād eva siddhi samadhigacchati 3.4

na1 karmaṇām2 anārambhāt3 naiṣkarmyam4 puruṣa5 aśnute6
na7 ca8 sannyasanāt9 eva
10 siddhim11 samadhigacchati12    3.4

 

na1 = Neither; [because]  puruṣa5 = man; anārambhāt3 karmaṇām2 = does not initiate3 action2;

 [he] aśnute6 = attains; naiṣkarmyam4 = abandonment of action; na7 ca8 eva10 = nor because; sannyasanāt9 = of renunciation [of action]; [he] samadhi-gacchati12  = attains; siddhim11 = Siddhi, accomplishment, performance, fulfillment, complete attainment (of any object), success.    3.4


3.4: Neither because man does not initiate an action, he attains (Niaskarmyam) abandonment of action, nor because of renunciation of action, he attains (siddhim) perfection.   

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न हि कश्चित्क्षणमपि जातु तिष्ठत्यकर्मकृत् ।

कार्यते ह्यवशः कर्म सर्वः प्रकृतिजैर्गुणैः ॥३- ५॥

na hi kaścit kṣaṇam api jātu tiṣṭhaty akarmakt
kāryate hy avaśa
ḥ karma sarvaḥ prakṛtijair guṇaiḥ 3.5

na1 hi2 kaścit3 kṣaṇam4 api5 jātu6 tiṣṭhati7 akarma-kt8
kāryate9 hi
10 avaśa11 karma12 sarvaḥ13 prakṛti-jai14 guṇaiḥ15   3.5

 

hi2 = Certainly; na1 =no; kaścit3 = one; jātu6 = any time; tiṣṭhati7 = remains; api5 = even; [for] kṣaṇam4 = a moment; akarma-kt8 = without performing action. hi10 = Assuredly; sarvaḥ13 = all (of humanity or creatures);  kāryate9 = are made to do; karma12 = action;  [due to] avaśa11 = loss of vasam or control, against their free will; guṇaiḥ15 = by the Gunas prakṛtijair14 = prakṛti + jai =  born of Prakrti or Nature 3.5


3.5: No one, (for sure) even for a moment, remains without doing some action. All people surrender against their free will (avasah = loosing control) to the gunas of nature, which induce them to action.
 

Copyright © 2009 Veeraswamy Krishnaraj

 

कर्मेन्द्रियाणि संयम्य य आस्ते मनसा स्मरन् ।

इन्द्रियार्थान्विमूढात्मा मिथ्याचारः स उच्यते ॥३- ६॥

karmendriyāṇi sayamya ya āste manasā smaran
indriyārthān vimū
hātmā mithyācāraḥ sa ucyate 3.6

karma-indriyāṇi1 sayamya2 ya3 āste4 manasā5 smaran6
indriya-arthān
7 vimūha8 ātmā9 mithyā-ācāra
10 sa11 ucyate12  3.6  

 

vimūha8 + ātmā9 = Foolish soul, ignoramus; ya3 = who; sayamya2 - bringing under control; karma-indriyāṇi1 = Sense organs (hands, feet, eyes, nose, ears);  āste4 = sits;  manasā5 + smaran6= brooding6 in the mind5; indriya-arthān7 = sense objects: sa11 ucyate12 = he11 is called12; mithyā-ācāra10 = deceitful teacher. 3.6

 

3.6: The foolish man (vi-mūdha-atma), who curbs his sense organs for outward show, but thinks about the sense objects in his mind, is a (mithya-acāra) deceitful teacher. 

Copyright © 2009 Veeraswamy Krishnaraj

 

यस्त्विन्द्रियाणि मनसा नियम्यारभतेऽर्जुन ।

कर्मेन्द्रियैः कर्मयोगमसक्तः स विशिष्यते ॥३- ७॥

yas tv indriyāi manasā niyamyārabhaterjuna
karmaindriyaiḥ karmayogam asaktaḥ sa viśi
yate 3.7

ya1 tu2 indriyāi3 manasā4 niyamya5 ārabhate6 arjuna7
karma-indriyaiḥ8 karma-yogam9 asaktaḥ
10 sa11 viśiyate12  3.7

 

 arjuna7 = O Arjuna; tu2 = but; ya1 = one who (the enlightened one); niyamya5 = having restrained; indriyāṇi3 = senses; manasā4 = by the mind; ārabhate6 = observes6 karma-yogam9 = Karma Yoga; asaktaḥ10 = (without adherence), unattached; karma-indriyaiḥ8 = to the organs of action (Speech--Larynx, grasp--Hands, ambulation--Feet, evacuation--Anus, procreation-Genitals) ; sa11 viśiyate12 = he is superior (to the deceitful teacher).  3.7

3.7: The one, who restrains his senses by his mind, and begins, O Arjuna, his karma yogam -Yoga of action - without attachment to sense organs, is superior (and unsurpassed).   

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नियतं कुरु कर्म त्वं कर्म ज्यायो ह्यकर्मणः ।

शरीरयात्रापि च ते न प्रसिद्ध्येदकर्मणः ॥३- ८॥

niyataṁ kuru karma tvaṁ karma jyāyo hy akarmaṇaḥ
śarīrayātrāpi ca te na prasiddhyed akarmaṇaḥ 3.8

niyatam1 kuru2 karma3 tvam4 karma5 jyāya6 hi7 akarmaṇaḥ8
śarīra
9 yātrā
10 api11 ca12 te13 na14 prasiddhyet15 akarmaṇaḥ16  3.8 

 

tvam4 = You; kuru2 = do, perform; niyatam1 = the obligatory; karma3 = actions, as enjoined by religion;  hi7 = for;  karma5 = action; [is]  jyāya6 = better, superior;  [than/to] akarmaṇaḥ8 = inaction; ca12 = and; api11 = even; te13 = your; śarīra9 = bodily; yātrā10 = upkeep;  na14 prasiddhyet15 =  is not possible; akarmaṇaḥ16 = through inaction.  3.8

3.8: You should do your work as prescribed to you (by the sacred texts), for action is better than inaction. By inaction, even upkeep of the body is not possible.

Copyright © 2009 Veeraswamy Krishnaraj

 

यज्ञार्थात्कर्मणोऽन्यत्र लोकोऽयं कर्मबन्धनः ।

तदर्थं कर्म कौन्तेय मुक्तसङ्गः समाचर ॥३- ९॥

yajñārthāt karmaonyatra lokoyaṁ karmabandhanaḥ
tadarthaṁ karma kaunteya muktasa
ṅgaḥ samācara 3.9

yajñaarthāt1 karmaṇa2 anyatra3 loka4 ayam5 karma-bandhanaḥ6
tat7 artham8 karma9 kaunteya10 mukta-saṅga
11 samācara12

 

anyatra3 = Other than, except for; karmaṇa2 = the work; yajñaarthāt1 = performed for God; [in] ayam5 = this;  loka4 = world; [is] karma-bandhanaḥ6 = bound by action; kaunteya10 = O Kaunteya, son of Kunti, Arjuna;  samācara12 = you observe;  karma9 = actions; tat7 + artham8 = for sake of God, for the sake of Yajna Purusa;  mukta-saṅga11 = devoid of attachment, freed from connection with actions and Karma.

 

3.9: Except for the work done in the spirit (for the sake) of sacrifice (Yajna, or God), karma binds all other work done in this world. O Kaunteya  (Arjuna, the son of Kunti), you perform your actions without attachment for the sake of sacrifice or God.  

Copyright © 2009 Veeraswamy Krishnaraj

 

सहयज्ञाः प्रजाः सृष्ट्वा पुरोवाच प्रजापतिः ।

अनेन प्रसविष्यध्वमेष वोऽस्त्विष्टकामधुक् ॥३- १०॥

sahayajñāḥ prajāḥ sṛṣṭvā purovāca prajāpatiḥ
anena prasavi
yadhvam ea vostv iṣṭakāmadhuk 3.10

saha1 yajñāḥ2 prajāḥ3 sṛṣṭvā4 purā5 uvāca6 prajāpatiḥ7
anena8 prasaviṣyadhvam9 ea
10 va11 astu12 iṣṭa-kāma-dhuk13 3.10

 

purā5 = Long time ago; prajāpatiḥ7= the sovereign of beings; sṛṣṭvā4 = having done the creation; [of] prajāḥ3 = people; saha1  = along with; yajñāḥ2 = sacrifices; uvāca6 = said; anena8 = by this [sacrifice]; prasaviṣyadhvam9 = carry on procreation. ea10 astu12 = Let12 this10 [sacrifice] be; va11 = your;  iṣṭa-kāma-dhuk13  = Giver of desired objects [desired-objects of desire-yielder] kāma-dhuk is a cow of plenty. 3.10

 

3.10: Once upon a time (Time of creation) the lord of creatures, created men along with sacrifices and said, by this you bring forth more and more and let it  be the giver of your desires.

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देवान्भावयतानेन ते देवा भावयन्तु वः ।

परस्परं भावयन्तः श्रेयः परमवाप्स्यथ ॥३- ११॥
devān bhāvayatānena te devā bhāvayantu va

parasparaṁ bhāvayantaḥ śreyaḥ param avāpsyatha 3.11

devān1 bhāvayata2 anena3 te4 devā5 bhāvayantu6 va7
parasparam
8 bhāvayantaḥ9 śreyaḥ10 param
11 avāpsyatha12  3.11

 

bhāvayata2 = You nourish; devān1 = the gods; anena3 = with this sacrifice.  te4 devā5 = these gods; bhāvayantu6 = nourish; va7= you.  bhāvayantaḥ9 = nourishing;[ is] parasparam8 = reciprocal.  [By this] avāpsyatha12  = you will attain; param11 = supreme; śreyaḥ10 = Good, emancipation. 3.11

.

3.11: The gods, having been cherished by these sacrifices, will cherish you and by mutually cherishing each other, you will attain the supreme good.   

Copyright © 2009 Veeraswamy Krishnaraj

 

इष्टान्भोगान्हि वो देवा दास्यन्ते यज्ञभाविताः ।

तैर्दत्तानप्रदायैभ्यो यो भुङ्क्ते स्तेन एव सः ॥३- १२॥

iṣṭān bhogān hi vo devā dāsyante yajñabhāvitā
tair dattān apradāyaibhyo yo bhu
kte stena eva saḥ 3.12

iṣṭān1 bhogān2 hi3 va4 devā5 dāsyante6 yajña-bhāvitā7
tai8 dattān9 apradāya
10 ebhya11 ya12 bhukte13 stena14 eva15 saḥ16  3.12 

 

yajña-bhāvitāḥ7 = Having been nourished by sacrifices; devā5 = the gods; hi3 = indeed; dāsyante6 = bestow; va4 = upon you; iṣṭān1 = yearned, desired; bhogān2 = enjoyments [wife, children cattle...--Sankara]. saḥ16  = He is; eva15 = indeed; stena14 = a thief, robber; ya12 = who; bhukte13 = enjoys for himself;  dattān9 = things offered; tai8 = by them [by gods]; apradāya10 + ebhya11 =  without giving + to them [ without paying back these debts to the gods, Rishis and Manes--Sankara].  3.12

 

3.12: Having been pleased by sacrifices, the gods will bestow upon you the desired enjoyments. He, who enjoys these gifts without giving them (reciprocation) to the gods in return, is certainly a thief.

Copyright © 2009 Veeraswamy Krishnaraj

 

यज्ञशिष्टाशिनः सन्तो मुच्यन्ते सर्वकिल्बिषैः ।

भुञ्जते ते त्वघं पापा ये पचन्त्यात्मकारणात् ॥३- १३॥

yajñaśiṣṭāśinaḥ santo mucyante sarvakilbiṣai
bhuñjate te tv aghaṁ pāpā ye pacanty ātmakāra
āt 3.13

yajña-śiṣṭa-aśina1 santa2 mucyante3 sarva-kilbiṣai4
bhuñjate5 te6 tu7 agham8 pāpā9 ye
10 pacanti11 ātma-kāraāt12    3.13

 

santa2 = The good people; yajña-śiṣṭa-aśina1 = who eat the remnants of sacrifices [sacrifice-remnants-eaters]; mucyante3 = get liberated; sarva-kilbiṣaiḥ4 = from all sins.  tu7 = But;  pāpā9 = sinners; ye10 = who;  pacanti11 = cook food;  ātma-kāraāt12 = for themselves [to nourish their own bodies]-- te6 + they; bhuñjate5 = eat;  agham8 = sin.  3.13

 

3.13: The virtuous, who eat what is left after the food was offered in sacrifice, will be released from all sins, but the sinners who prepare food to sustain their own bodies, eat sin. 

Copyright © 2009 Veeraswamy Krishnaraj

 

अन्नाद्भवन्ति भूतानि पर्जन्यादन्नसम्भवः ।

यज्ञाद्भवति पर्जन्यो यज्ञः कर्मसमुद्भवः ॥३- १४॥

annād bhavanti bhūtāni parjanyād annasaṁbhava
yajñād bhavati parjanyo yaj
ña
ḥ karmasamudbhavaḥ 3.14

annāt1 bhavanti2 bhūtāni3 parjanyāt4 anna-saṁbhava5
yajñāt6 bhavati7 parjanya8 yajña9
karma-samudbhavaḥ10 3.14

 

annāt1 = From food; bhavanti2 = are born; bhūtāni3 = life-forms.; parjanyāt4 = from rain; anna5A-saṁbhavaḥ5B = the production5B of food5A; yajñāt6 = from Yajna or sacrifice; bhavati7 = takes origin; parjanya8 = rain.  yajña9 = Sacrifice;  karma10A-samudbhavaḥ10 = arises from10B actions10A. 3.14

 

3.14: From food come the living creatures. From the rains comes the food. From sacrifice come the rains. From work comes sacrifice.  

Copyright © 2009 Veeraswamy Krishnaraj

 

कर्म ब्रह्मोद्भवं विद्धि ब्रह्माक्षरसमुद्भवम् ।

तस्मात्सर्वगतं ब्रह्म नित्यं यज्ञे प्रतिष्ठितम् ॥३- १५॥
karma brahmodbhava
ṁ viddhi brahmākarasamudbhavam
tasmāt sarvagataṁ brahma nityaṁ yajñe prati
ṣṭhitam 3.15

karma1 brahma2 udbhavam3 viddhi4 brahma5 akara6 samudbhavam7
tasmāt8 sarva-gatam9 brahma
10 nityam11 yajñe12 pratiṣṭhitam13  3.15

 

viddhi4 = Know; karma1 = action; udbhavam3 =  originates from; brahma2 = Veda or Brahma.  brahma5 = Brahma also known as Vedas; [has] akṣara6 = the imperishable [Brahman]; samudbhavam7 = as their origin. tasmāt8 = Therefore; sarva-gatam9 = all-pervasive;  nityam11 = eternal; brahma10 =  imperishable  Parabrahman; pratiṣṭhitam13  = abides steadfastly;  yajñe12 = in sacrifice 3.15

 

3.15: Know thou that karma originates from Brahma. Brahma originates from the imperishable. Therefore all-pervading Brahma is eternally situated in sacrifice. 

Copyright © 2009 Veeraswamy Krishnaraj

एवं प्रवर्तितं चक्रं नानुवर्तयतीह यः ।

अघायुरिन्द्रियारामो मोघं पार्थ स जीवति ॥३- १६॥

evaṁ pravartitaṁ cakraṁ nānuvartayatīha yaḥ
aghāyur indriyārāmo moghaṁ pārtha sa jīvati 3.16

evam1 pravartitam2 cakram3 na4 anuvartayati5 iha6 yaḥ7
aghāyu
8 indriya-ārāma9 mogham10 pārtha11 sa12 jīvati13  3.16

 

yaḥ7 = He whosoever; na4 + anuvartayati5 + iha6 = does not follow in this world [does not4 pursue or follow5  in this place6]; cakram3 = the wheel; pravartitam2 = put in motion, allowed to pursue its course; evam1 = thus; aghāyu8 = agham8A + āyu8B = whose life is full of sin [sin8A + whose life8B]; indriya-ārāma9 = who indulges in sense-pleasure [Epicure]; sa12 jīvati13 = he12 lives13;  mogham10 = devoid of purpose, in vain;   pārtha11 = O Arjuna. 3.16

 

3.16: He, who, in this world, does not follow the wheel (of sacrifice) set in motion thus, enjoys the sense objects and lives a life of sin, lives in vain, O Partha (Arjuna).

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यस्त्वात्मरतिरेव स्यादात्मतृप्तश्च मानवः ।

आत्मन्येव च सन्तुष्टस्तस्य कार्यं न विद्यते ॥३- १७॥

yas tv ātmaratir eva syād ātmatptaś ca mānavaḥ
ātmany eva ca sa
ntuṣṭas tasya kāryaṁ na vidyate 3.17

ya1 tu2 ātma3A-rati3B eva4 syāt5 ātma6A-tpta6B ca7 mānavaḥ8
ātmani9 eva
10 ca11 santuṣṭa12 tasya13 kāryam14 na15 vidyate16  3.17 

 

tu2 = But; mānavaḥ8= [that] man; ya1 = who;  syāt5 = remains [experiences]; ātma3A-rati3B = pleasure3B in Self3A [not an epicure]; eva4 = certainly;  ātma6A-tpta6B = one contented6B in the Self6A (and not in epicurean pleasures); ca7 = and;  santuṣṭa12 =  contented; eva10 = only;  ātmani9 = in the Self; ca11 = and; tasya13 = for him; kāryam14 = obligate duty; na15 vidyate16 = does not15  exist16 3.17

 

3.17: He, who finds pleasure, satisfaction and contentment in the Self, does not have any work that needs to be done. [He, who finds pleasure, satisfaction and contentment in the self, does not have any obligate work.]

Copyright © 2009 Veeraswamy Krishnaraj

 

नैव तस्य कृतेनार्थो नाकृतेनेह कश्चन ।

न चास्य सर्वभूतेषु कश्चिदर्थव्यपाश्रयः ॥३- १८॥

naiva tasya ktenārtho nākteneha kaścana

           na cāsya sarvabhūteu kaścid arthavyapāśrayaḥ 3.18

na1 eva2 tasya3 ktena4 artha5 na6 aktena7 iha8 kaścana9

           na10 ca11 asya12 sarva13A-bhūteu13B kaścit14 artha15 vyapāśrayaḥ16  3.18

 

tasya3 = For that man; na1 artha5 eva2  = there is no1 purpose5 ever2; kṛtena4 = for performance of action;  na6 kaścana9 akṛtena7 iha8  = nor is there6 + any (concern)9 for inaction7 + here, in this world8 ca11 + asya12 = moreover11 for him12 na10 = nor is there; kaścit14 = any; artha15 = purpose; vyapāśrayaḥ16 = for taking shelter; sarva13A-bhūteu13B = in all13A life-forms13B 3.18

 

3.18: For him, there is no advantage in action. And there is no advantage in inaction. He does not need any being (in the whole universe) for his shelter or purpose.

Copyright © 2009 Veeraswamy Krishnaraj

 

तस्मादसक्तः सततं कार्यं कर्म समाचर ।

असक्तो ह्याचरन्कर्म परमाप्नोति पूरुषः ॥३- १९॥

tasmād asaktaḥ satataṁ kāryaṁ karma samācara

asakto hy ācaran karma param āpnoti pūruṣaḥ 3.19

tasmāt1 asaktaḥ2 satatam3 kāryam4 karma5 samācara6

asakta7 hi8 ācaran9 karma10 param11 āpnoti12 pūruṣa13 3.19

 

tasmāt1 = Therefore; samācara6 = do properly; satatam3 = constantly, always, ever; kāryam4 karma5 = obligatory work, duty; asaktaḥ2 = unattached; hi8 = indeed.  ācaran9 = By performing; karma10 = duty; asakta7 = unattached [deed as dedication to God]; pūruṣa13 = man; āpnoti12 = attains;  param11 = the Supreme, Paramatman, emancipation. 3.19

 

3.19: Therefore, do your work that has to be done with proficiency, always without attachment; man who performs action without attachment to fruit attains the Supreme (Param).  

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कर्मणैव हि संसिद्धिमास्थिता जनकादयः ।

लोकसंग्रहमेवापि संपश्यन्कर्तुमर्हसि ॥३- २०॥

karmaaiva hi sasiddhim āsthitā janakādayaḥ
lokasa
graham evāpi sa
paśyan kartum arhasi 3.20

karmaā1 eva2 hi3 sasiddhim4 āsthitā5 janakādayaḥ6
lokasa
graham7 eva8 api9 sampaśyan10 kartum11 arhasi12 3.20

 

janakādayaḥ6 = Janaka and the like; karmaā1 eva2 = through [detached] actions; hi3 = certainly; āsthitā5 = attained [by striving];  saṁsiddhim4 = complete accomplishment or fulfillment, perfection, success; perfect state, beatitude, final emancipation.  [You]  arhasi12 = ought; kartum11 = to perform [duties]; sampaśyan10 eva8 api9  = holding in view; lokasagraham7 = the welfare of the world [holding the world together].  3.20

 

3.20: Certainly by work done without attachment, Janaka and others attained perfection. You should also do work, for the welfare or maintenance (Lokasamgraha) of the world.  Sagraham = holding together.

Ramanuja: 3.20. Indeed by Karma Yoga alone did Janaka and others reach perfection. Even recognizing its necessity for the guidance of the world, you must perform action.

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यद्यदाचरति श्रेष्ठस्तत्तदेवेतरो जनः ।

स यत्प्रमाणं कुरुते लोकस्तदनुवर्तते ॥३- २१॥

yadyad ācarati śreṣṭhas tattad evetaro janaḥ
sa yat pramā
ṇa
ṁ kurute lokas tad anuvartate 3.21

yat1A yat1B ācarati2 śreṣṭha3 tat4 tat5 eva7 itara8 janaḥ9
sa
10 yat11 pramāṇam12 kurute13 loka14 tat15 anuvartate16  3.21

 

yat1A yat1B  = Whatever and whichever;  śreṣṭha3 = great man, superior person; ācarati2 = does, performs; itara8 = another;  janaḥ9 = person; [imitates];  tat4 tat5 eva7 = that and that [action] alone.  yat11 = Whatever; sa10 = he [ the superior person]; kurute13 = upholds; [as] pramāṇam12 = testimony, [Vedic or secular authority--Sankara];  loka14 = humanity; anuvartate16 = follows tat15 = that.   3.21

 

3.21: Whatever a great man does, the other people do. Whatever paradigm he sets, humankind follows.    

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न मे पार्थास्ति कर्तव्यं त्रिषु लोकेषु किंचन ।

नानवाप्तमवाप्तव्यं वर्त एव च कर्मणि ॥३- २२॥

na me pārthāsti kartavyaṁ triu lokeu kicana
nānavāptam avāptavyaṁ varta eva ca karma
i 3.22

na1 me2 pārtha3 asti4 kartavyam5 triṣu6 lokeṣu7 kiṁcana8
na9 anavāptam
10 avāptavyam11 varte12 eva13 ca14 karmai15

 

pārtha3 = Arjuna; asti4 = there is; na1 =  no;  kartavyam5 = duty; [Partha, there is no duty for me.]; me2 = for me;  kiṁcana8 = whatsoever; triṣu6 lokeṣu7 = in the three worlds:  na9 anavāptam10 = nothing unobtained;  avāptavyam11 = to be obtained.  [Yet I]  varte12 eva13  = am involved;  ca14 = also; karmai15 = in action. 3.22

 

3.22: O Partha, in all three worlds, I have no assigned duty to perform. There is nothing I need to gain that has not been gained. Yet, I am engaged in action. 

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यदि ह्यहं न वर्तेयं जातु कर्मण्यतन्द्रितः ।

मम वर्त्मानुवर्तन्ते मनुष्याः पार्थ सर्वशः ॥३- २३॥

yadi hy ahaṁ na varteyaṁ jātu karmay atandritaḥ
mama vartmānuvartante manu
ṣyāḥ pārtha sarvaśaḥ 3.23

yadi1 hi2 aham3 na4 varteyam5 jātu6 karmaṇi7 atandritaḥ8
mama9 vartma
10 anuvartante11 manuṣyā12 pārtha13 sarvaśaḥ14  3.23

 

hi2 = For example; yadi1 = if; aham3 = I; na4 = do not; varteyam5 = engage myself;  jātu6 = at any time, perhaps, possibly; karmaṇi7 = in action; atandritaḥ8 = attentively; pārtha13 = O Partha (Arjuna); manuṣyāḥ12 = men; anuvartante11 = follow; mama9 = my; vartma10 = path;  sarvaśaḥ14 = in all ways.  3.23

3.23: If I ever do not perform my duties with great care and attention, O, Partha all men would follow my path in all respects. 

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उत्सीदेयुरिमे लोका न कुर्यां कर्म चेदहम् ।

संकरस्य च कर्ता स्यामुपहन्यामिमाः प्रजाः ॥३- २४॥

utsīdeyur ime lokā na kuryāṁ karma ced aham
sa
karasya ca kartā syām upahanyām imāḥ prajā 3.24

utsīdeyu1 ime2 lokā3 na4 kuryām5 karma6 cet7 aham8
sa
ṁkarasya9 ca10 kartā11 syām12 upahanyām13 imāḥ14 prajā15   3.24

 

ime2 = These; lokā3 = worlds; utsīdeyu1 = will come to ruin; cet7 = if; aham8= I; na4 = do not; kuryām5 = do, perform; karma6 = action; ca10 = and; syām12 = I shall become; kartā11 = the agent; saṁkarasya9 = of miscegenation of castes.  upahanyām13 = I will be destroying; imāḥ14 = these; prajā15  = people.   3.24

 

3.24. These worlds will be ruined if I do not perform action. And I shall become the agent of intermingling (of castes), and shall be destroying these beings.

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सक्ताः कर्मण्यविद्वांसो यथा कुर्वन्ति भारत ।

कुर्याद्विद्वांस्तथासक्तश्चिकीर्षुर्लोकसंग्रहम् ॥३- २५॥

saktāḥ karmay avidvāso yathā kurvanti bhārata

kuryād vidvās tathāsaktaś cikīrur lokasagraham 3.25

saktāḥ1 karmai2 avidvāsa3 yathā4 kurvanti5 bhārata6

kuryāt7 vidvān8 tatha9 asakta10 cikīru11 loka-sagraham12  3.25

 

bhārata6 = O Bharata (Arjuna); yathā4 = as; avidvāṁsa3 = the ignoramuses, the unenlightened; kurvanti5 = act; saktāḥ1 = with attachment; karmaṇi2 = to [their] work;  vidvān8 = the enlightened, the learned; kuryāt7 = act; tatha9 = thus;  asakta10 = without adhering or attachment [to fruits of actions]; cikīru11 = wishing to;  loka-sagraham12 = hold the world together (maintain world-order --Radhakrishnan).  3.25

 

3.25: As the ignorant act with attachment to their work, O Bharata, the learned should do their work without attachment, but with a desire to hold the world together (lead the people in the right path). 

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न बुद्धिभेदं जनयेदज्ञानां कर्मसङ्गिनाम् ।

जोषयेत्सर्वकर्माणि विद्वान्युक्तः समाचरन् ॥३- २६॥

na buddhibhedaṁ janayed ajñānāṁ karmasaginām

joayet sarvakarmāi vidvān yuktaḥ samācaran 3.26

na1 buddhi-bhedam2 janayet3 ajñānām4 karma-saṁginām5

joṣayet6 sarva7 karmāṇi8 vidvān9 yuktaḥ10 samācaran11   3.26

vidvān9 = The learned and the enlightened; na1+ janayet3 = should not cause; buddhi-bhedam2= confusion in perception or belief; ajñānām4 = of the ignoramus; [who] karma-saṁginām5 = performing actions according to Vedic injunctions; [the Vidvan] joṣayet6 = should induce [the ignorant] to perform; sarva7 karmāṇi8 = all actions [as prescribed in Sastras];  [himself] yuktaḥ10 = attached to; samācaran11 = virtuous conduct.

3.26: A Vidvan (the learned and the enlightened man) should not cause any mental confusion in the ignoramus who performs action with attachment. He should perform his actions according to propriety and induce them to act in similar manner.

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प्रकृतेः क्रियमाणानि गुणैः कर्माणि सर्वशः ।

अहंकारविमूढात्मा कर्ताहमिति मन्यते ॥३- २७॥

prakṛteḥ kriyamāāni guṇaiḥ karmāi sarvaśaḥ
aha
ṁkāravimūḍhātmā kartāham iti manyate 3.27

prakṛte1 kriyamāāni2 guṇai3 karmāi4 sarvaśaḥ5
ahaṁkāra-vimūḍha-ātmā6 kartā7 aham8 iti9 manyate
10 

 

karmāṇi4 = All activities; kriyamāṇāni2 = are performed;  sarvaśaḥ5= in all ways; guṇaiḥ3 = by gunas; prakṛte1 = of the Nature.  ahaṁkāra6A-vimūḍha6B-ātmā6C  = The soul6C deluded6B by Ahamkara6A [egoism]; manyate10 = thinks;  iti9 = thus; kartā7 aham8  = 'I am8 the doer7'.  3.27

 

3.27: All actions are conditioned by gunas (Sattva, Rajas and Tamas) of material nature. He whose mind is perplexed by ahamkāra thinks, "I am the doer."    see addenda.

 

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तत्त्ववित्तु महाबाहो गुणकर्मविभागयोः ।

गुणा गुणेषु वर्तन्त इति मत्वा न सज्जते ॥३- २८॥

tattvavit tu mahābāho guṇakarmavibhāgayo
gu
ā guṇeṣu vartanta iti matvā na sajjate 3.28

tattva-vit1 tu2 mahābāho3 guṇa-karma-vibhāgayoḥ4
guā5 guṇeṣu6 vartante7 iti8 matvā9 na
10 sajjate11   3.28

 

mahābāho3 = O mighty-armed one; tu2 = but; tattva-vit1 = the knower of Tattvas or Truth; [knows] guṇa4A  -karma4B -vibhāgayoḥ4C = about diversity4C in Gunas4A and actions4B; na10 sajjate11 = does not become attached; iti8 + matvā9 = thus thinking; guā5 = the Gunas depicted by sense organs [and not by the self]; vartante7 = act; guṇeṣu6 = on the Gunas depicted by objects of the sense organs. 3.28

 

3.28: The knower of the reality, O mighty-armed one (mahā-bhāho), knows the difference between the gunas and their actions. He, knowing that the gunas act on (objects of) gunas, is not attached to them.  see addenda.

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प्रकृतेर्गुणसंमूढाः सज्जन्ते गुणकर्मसु ।

तानकृत्स्नविदो मन्दान्कृत्स्नविन्न विचालयेत् ॥३- २९॥

prakter guṇasaṁmūḍhāḥ sajjante guakarmasu
tān ak
tsnavido mandān ktsnavin na vicālayet 3.29

prakte1 guṇa-saṁmūḍhāḥ2 sajjante3 guṇa-karmasu4
tān5 aktsna-vida
6 mandān7 kṛtsna-vit8 na9 vicālayet10   3.29

 

guṇa-saṁmūḍhāḥ2 = The ones who are deluded or fooled by Gunas; prakte1 = of Nature; sajjante3 = become attached; guṇa-karmasu4 = to the actions of Gunas. kṛtsna-vit8 = Complete knower; na9 vicālayet10 = should not disturb; aktsna-vida6= incomplete knower; [and] tān5 = those (attached to actions); [who are] mandān7 = the slow-witted.  3.29

 

3.29: Those who are deluded or fooled by the gunas or modes of nature become entangled in or attached to those gunas and actions. Those who are endowed with perfect knowledge, should not rattle (disturb, agitate) the sluggish ones.  manda =  the slow-witted, one with insufficient knowledge.

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मयि सर्वाणि कर्माणि संन्यस्याध्यात्मचेतसा ।

निराशीर्निर्ममो भूत्वा युध्यस्व विगतज्वरः ॥३- ३०॥

mayi sarvāi karmāi sanyasyādhyātmacetasā

nirāśīr nirmamo bhūtvā yudhyasva vigatajvaraḥ 3.30

mayi1 sarvāṇi2 karmāṇi3 sanyasya4 ādhyātma-cetasā5

nirāśī6 nirmama7 bhūtvā8 yudhyasva9 vigata-jvara10   3.30

 

saṁnyasya4 = Dedicating, surrendering; sarvāṇi2 = all; karmāṇi3 = actions; mayi1= to Me;  ādhyātma-cetasā5  = with mind or consciousness centered on the Self; bhūtvā8 =  becoming; nirāśī6 = free from desires; nirmama7 = without mamakara,  free from ego, not self-centered; vigata-jvara10  = without the fever [of the soul].  yudhyasva9 = plunge into battle.  3.30

3.30: Dedicating or surrendering all your activities unto me, with your consciousness fixed to or anchored in the Self, without desire, free from conceit (ego) and sorrow (fever), fight. 

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ये मे मतमिदं नित्यमनुतिष्ठन्ति मानवाः ।

श्रद्धावन्तोऽनसूयन्तो मुच्यन्ते तेऽपि कर्मभिः ॥३- ३१॥

ye me matam idaṁ nityam anutiṣṭhanti mānavāḥ
śraddhāvantonasūyanto mucyante tepi karmabhiḥ 3.31

ye1 me2 matam3 idam4 nityam5 anutiṣṭhanti6 mānavāḥ7
śraddhāvanta8 anasūyanta9 mucyante
10 te11 api12 karmabhiḥ13   

 

ye1 = These; [are] me2 =  My; nityam5 = eternal; matam3 = sentiments, opinions, teachings.  mānavāḥ7 = men; anutiṣṭhanti6 = follow; idam4 = this; śraddhāvanta8 = with faith; anasūyanta9 = without finding faults with Me. te11 + api12 = they also; mucyante10 = become liberated; karmabhiḥ13  = from all Karmas.  3.31

3.31: The men who follow the doctrine or teachings of Mine with sraddha (faith) and uncomplaining (anasūya), will become free from the bondage of work - karma.

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ये त्वेतदभ्यसूयन्तो नानुतिष्ठन्ति मे मतम् ।

सर्वज्ञानविमूढांस्तान्विद्धि नष्टानचेतसः ॥३- ३२॥

ye tv etad abhyasūyanto nānutiṣṭhanti me matam
sarvajñ
ānavimūḍhāṁs tān viddhi naṣṭān acetasaḥ 3.32

ye1 tu2 etat3 abhyasūyanta4 na5 anutiṣṭhanti6 me7 matam8
sarva9āna
10 vimūḍhān11 tān12 viddhi13 naṣṭān14 acetasaḥ15  3.32

 

tu2 = But; ye1 = they who [are opposed to My teachings]; abhyasūyanta4 = are indignant, angry, jealous; na5 anutiṣṭhanti6  = do not follow; etat3 = this; [and] me7 matam8  = My thought [My teaching]. sarva9āna10 vimūḍhān11 = They entertain delusions about all knowledge  [all9-knowledge10-the deluded11].  [You should] viddhi13 = know; tān12 = these; acetasaḥ15 =  ignoramuses;  naṣṭān14 = come to ruin.  3.32

 

3.32: The ignoramus, who is indignant and jealous and does not follow my teachings, is deluded and ignorant of all knowledge of the Self and will come to ruin.   Abhyasūyā; Indignation, anger, jealousy

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सदृशं चेष्टते स्वस्याः प्रकृतेर्ज्ञानवानपि ।

प्रकृतिं यान्ति भूतानि निग्रहः किं करिष्यति ॥३- ३३॥

sadṛśaṁ ceṣṭate svasyāḥ prakter jñānavān api

prakṛtiṁ yānti bhūtāni nigrahaḥ kiṁ kariyati 3.33

sadṛśam1 ceṣṭate2 svasyāḥ3 prakte4 jñānavān5 api6

prakṛtim7 yānti8 bhūtāni9 nigrahaḥ10 kim11 kariyati12  

 

api6 = Even; jñānavān5 = a man of wisdom; ceṣṭate2 = performs actions; sadṛśam1 = according to;  svasyāḥ3 = his own; prakte4 = nature. bhūtāni9 = Living beings; yānti8 = follow; prakṛtim7 = nature; kim11 = what; [can]  nigrahaḥ10 = restraint;  kariyati12 = do?  3.33

 

3.33: Even the learned man acts according to his own nature. All beings behave according to their own nature and modes (gunas). What can (Nigrahah) restraint or reprimand do?

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इन्द्रियस्येन्द्रियस्यार्थे रागद्वेषौ व्यवस्थितौ ।

तयोर्न वशमागच्छेत्तौ ह्यस्य परिपन्थिनौ ॥३- ३४॥

indriyasyendriyasyārthe rāgadveau vyavasthitau
tayor na vaśam āgacchet tau hy asya paripanthinau 3.34

indriyasya1 indriyasya2 arthe3 rāga-dveau4 vyavasthitau5
tayo
6 na7 vaśam8 āgacchet9 tau10 hi11 asya12 paripanthinau13   3.34

 

rāga-dveau4 = Desire and dislike;vyavasthitau5 = abide, remain hidden; indriyasya1 - indriyasya2 - arthe3 = in the sense2 objects3 of the senses1.  [he] hi11 = certainly;  na7 vaśam8 āgacchet9  = should not7 come9 under control8, [should never get caught up or entangled]; tayo6 = of the two.  tau10 = They; [are] asya12 = his; paripanthinau13 = adversaries causing impediments.   3.34

 

3.34: Desire and dislike reside in senses and sense objects. Men should not come under their influence for these two are obstructionists (to self-realization).  

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श्रेयान्स्वधर्मो विगुणः परधर्मात्स्वनुष्ठितात् ।

स्वधर्मे निधनं श्रेयः परधर्मो भयावहः ॥३- ३५॥

śreyān svadharmo viguṇaḥ paradharmāt svanuṣṭhitāt

svadharme nidhanaṁ śreyaḥ paradharmo bhayāvahaḥ 3.35

śreyān1 svadharma2 viguṇaḥ3 para-dharmāt4 svanuṣṭhitāt5

sva-dharme6 nidhanam7 śreyaḥ8 para-dharma9 bhaya-āvahaḥ10   

 

svadharma2 = One's own duty; viguṇaḥ3 = destitute of merits, deficient, lacking Guna; [is] śreyān1 = more eminent, superior to;  para-dharmāt4  = another's Dharma or duties; svanuṣṭhitāt5 = well-executed. nidhanam7 = Death, destruction; śreyaḥ8 = is superior; [while performing] sva-dharme6 = one's own duty.  para-dharma9 = Another's duty; [is] bhaya-āvahaḥ10 = full of fear.  3.35

3.35:  It is preferable to do one's own duty, however deficient it is, than to do the duty of another, however skillful it is. Better is death in performing one’s own duty than to perform the duty of another, for it is inductive of fear. 

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अर्जुन उवाच 

अथ केन प्रयुक्तोऽयं पापं चरति पूरुषः ।

अनिच्छन्नपि वार्ष्णेय बलादिव नियोजितः ॥३- ३६॥

arjuna uvāca

atha kena prayuktoyaṁ pāpaṁ carati pūruṣa
anicchann api vār
ṣṇeya balād iva niyojitaḥ 3.36

arjuna uvāca

atha1 kena2 prayukta3 ayam4 pāpam5 carati6 pūruṣaḥ7
anicchann8 api9 vārṣṇeya
10 balāt11 iva12 niyojitaḥ13   3.36

 

arjuna = Arjuna; uvāca = said; vārṣṇeya10 = O Scion of Vrsni; kena2 = by what; atha1 = then; ayam4 this; pūruṣaḥ7= man;  prayukta3 = was urged, propelled, impelled; carati6 = to perpetrate, commit; pāpam5 = sin; api9 = even; anicchann8 = against his wish; iva12 = as if; niyojitaḥ13 = impelled, urged; balāt11 = by force? 3.36

 

3.36: Arjuna said: O Vārsneya, what impels a man to commit a sin against his free will, as if he is forced into it?  

Copyright © 2009 Veeraswamy Krishnaraj

 

श्रीभगवानुवाच 

काम एष क्रोध एष रजोगुणसमुद्भवः ।

महाशनो महापाप्मा विद्ध्येनमिह वैरिणम् ॥३- ३७॥

śrībhagavān uvāca

kāma ea krodha ea rajoguṇasamudbhava
mahāśano mahāpāpmā viddhy enam iha vairi
am 3.37

śrībhagavān uvāca

kāma1 eṣa2 krodha3 ea4 rajoguṇa-samudbhavaḥ5
mahā-aśana
6 mahāpāpmā7 viddhi8 enam9 iha10 vairiam11 3.37

 

śrībhagavān = Sri Bhagavan Krishna; uvāca = said; eṣa2 = this; kāma1 = desire; eṣa4 = this;  krodha3 = anger;  rajoguṇa-samudbhavaḥ5  = arising from Rajas Guna; [is] mahā-aśana6 =  great devourer; mahāpāpmā7 = great sinner. viddhi8 = Know; enam9 = this [desire]; [is] vairiṇam11= the enemy; iha10 = here [in this world].  3.37

3.37: Sri Bhagavan said: This is desire; this is anger born of the mode of Rajas (passion), all devouring and greatly sinful. Know this as the enemy here (on earth).   

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धूमेनाव्रियते वह्निर्यथादर्शो मलेन च ।

यथोल्बेनावृतो गर्भस्तथा तेनेदमावृतम् ॥३- ३८॥

dhūmenāvriyate vahnir yathādarśo malena ca

yatholbenāvto garbhas tathā tenedam āvtam 3.38

dhūmena1 āvriyate2 vahni3 yathā4 ādarśa5 malena6 ca7

yathaḥ8 ulbena9 āvta10 garbha11 tathā12 tena13 idam14 āvtam15  3.38 

[As] dhūmena1 = smoke;  āvriyate2 = is enveloped; vahni3 = by fire; yathā4 = as; ādarśa5 = mirror;  malena6 = by impurity or dust; ca7 = and;  yathaḥ8 = as; garbha11 = fetus; āvṛta10 = is covered; ulbena9 = by the womb;  tathā12 = so; idam14 =  this [wisdom]; āvṛtam15 = is encompassed or covered; tena13 = by that [desire]. 

 

3.38: As the smoke envelops the fire, as the dust covers the mirror, as the womb covers the fetus, so passion obscures the wisdom.

Copyright © 2009 Veeraswamy Krishnaraj

 

आवृतं ज्ञानमेतेन ज्ञानिनो नित्यवैरिणा ।

कामरूपेण कौन्तेय दुष्पूरेणानलेन च ॥३- ३९॥

āvṛtaṁ jñānam etena jñānino nityavairiā

kāmarupea kaunteya duṣpūreṇānalena ca 3.39

āvṛtam1 jñānam2 etena3 jñānina4 nityavairiā5

kāma-rupea6 kaunteya7 duṣpūreṇa8 analena9 ca10   3.39

 

kaunteya7 = O son of Kunti; jñānam2 = wisdom; āvṛtam1 = is covered; etena3 = by this; nitya vairiā5  = eternal foe; jñānina4 = of the wise; kāma6A-rupea6B = in the form of desire [desire6A + in form of6B]; [which is ] ca10  = also; duṣpūreṇa8 = unsatiated; analena9 = fire = [the all-consuming fire].   

 

3.39: O Kaunteya, this eternal enemy in the form of desire, the all-consuming fire, obscures the wisdom of the knower. 

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इन्द्रियाणि मनो बुद्धिरस्याधिष्ठानमुच्यते ।

एतैर्विमोहयत्येष ज्ञानमावृत्य देहिनम् ॥३- ४०॥

indriyāi mano buddhir asyādhiṣṭhānam ucyate

etair vimohayaty ea jñānam āvtya dehinam 3.40

indriyāi1 mana2 buddhi3 asya4 adhiṣṭhānam5 ucyate6

etai7 vimohayati8 ea9 jñānam10 āvtya11 dehinam12   3.40

 

indriyāi1 = Senses; mana2 = mind; buddhi3 = intellect; ucyate6 = are said to be; asya4 + adhiṣṭhānam5 = seat of desire [desire's4  seat5]. ea9 = This one [desire]; vimohayati8 = induces delusion; dehinam12 = in the embodied soul, the jivatma; āvtya11 = by covering; jñānam10 = knowledge; etai7 = by these [senses etc.  3.40

 

3.40: The senses, the mind and the buddhi (intelligence) are the seat of this desire. This covering of the Jnānam (wisdom) by desire deludes the embodied soul.

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तस्मात्त्वमिन्द्रियाण्यादौ नियम्य भरतर्षभ ।

पाप्मानं प्रजहि ह्येनं ज्ञानविज्ञाननाशनम् ॥३- ४१॥

tasmāt tvam indriyāy ādau niyamya bharatarabha
pāpmānaṁ prajahi hy enaṁ jñ
ānavijñānanāśanam 3.41

tasmāt1 tvam2 indriyāṇi3 ādau4 niyamya5 bharatarṣabha6
pāpmānam7 prajahi8 hi9 enam
10āna11-vijñāna12-nāśanam13  3.41 

 

tasmāt1 = Therefore; bharatarṣabha6 = O Best of Bharatas; tvam2 = you; ādau4 = at the outset; niyamya5 = should restrain, control; indriyāṇi3 = the senses, sense organs; [and] hi9 = indeed; prajahi8 = must abandon; enam10 = this [desire]; [which is] pāpmānam7 = the great sinner; [and]  āna11 vijñāna12 nāśanam13  = destroyer of knowledge and wisdom [knowledge-wisdom-destroyer].  3.41

 

3.41: Therefore O Bharatarsabha (best of Bharatas), you should at the outset subdue the senses and the desire which being the sinner, destroy knowledge (jnāna) and wisdom (vijnānam).  

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इन्द्रियाणि पराण्याहुरिन्द्रियेभ्यः परं मनः ।

मनसस्तु परा बुद्धिर्यो बुद्धेः परतस्तु सः ॥३- ४२॥

indriyāi parāy āhur indriyebhyaḥ paraṁ manaḥ
manasas tu parā buddhir yo buddheḥ paratas tu saḥ 3.42

indriyāi1 parāi2 āhu3 indriyebhya4 param5 manaḥ6
manasa
7 tu8 parā8 buddhi9 ya10 buddheḥ11 parata12 tu13 saḥ14 3.42

 

āhu3 = It is said; indriyāi1 = the sense organs [Ear, Skin, Eyes, Tongue and Nose; Larynx, Hands, Feet, Anus, and Genitals] [are]  parāi2 = superior. param5 = Superior, greater than; indriyebhya4 = to the sense organs; [is] manaḥ6 = the mind.  parā8 = Superior, [greater than]; manasa7 = to the mind; tu8 = moreover. however; [is] buddhi9 = intellect; tu13 = However; ya10 = one which; [is]; saḥ14 = That One (the Supreme Self, Atma);  [is]  parata12 = superior;  buddheḥ11 = to the intellect.  3.42

 

3.42: It is said that the senses are great, greater than the senses is the mind, greater than the mind is the buddhi and greater than the Buddhi is THAT. 

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एवं बुद्धेः परं बुद्ध्वा संस्तभ्यात्मानमात्मना ।

जहि शत्रुं महाबाहो कामरूपं दुरासदम् ॥३- ४३॥

evaṁ buddheḥ paraṁ buddhvā sastabhyātmānam ātmanā

jahi śatruṁ mahābāho kāmarūpaṁ durāsadam 3.43

evam1 buddheḥ2 param3 buddhvā4 saṁstabhya5 ātmānam6 ātmanā7

jahi8 śatrum9 mahābāho10 kāma-rūpam11 durāsadam12  3.43

 

mahābāho10  = O Mighty-armed one; evam1 = thus; buddhvā4 = knowing, understanding, comprehending; ātmānam6 = the Self; [is] param3 = superior; buddheḥ2 = to the intellect.  saṁstabhya5 = Having established control over;  ātmanā7 = by the mind; jahi8 = strike, slay; śatrum9 = the foe, enemy; [in] kāma-rūpam11 = the form of desire; [which is] durāsadam12  =  difficult of conquest, formidable.  3.43

 

3.43: O mighty-armed Arjuna, knowing the Self is superior to Buddhi, having established control over the mind, strike the enemy, who is of the form of desire which is difficult to conquer. 

Copyright © 2009 Veeraswamy Krishnaraj

End of chapter 03, Karmayoga