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Bhagavadgita Pages in English, Chapters 1 to 18

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V.Krishnaraj

Reference:

Monier-Williams, 'Sanskrit-English Dictionary'

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 karmaṇas te matā buddhir janārdana
tat kiṁ karmaṇi ghore māṁ niyojayasi keśava 3.1

arjuna uvāca

jyāyasī¹ cet² karmaṇaḥ³ te⁴ matā⁵ buddhiḥ⁶ janārdana⁷
tat⁸ kim⁹ karmaṇi¹⁰ ghore¹¹ mām¹² niyojayasi¹³ keśava¹⁴ 3.1

arjuna = Arjuna; uvāca = said; janārdana⁷= O Janardana; cet² = if it is; te⁴ = your; matā⁵ = sentiment, opinion, view; [that] buddhiḥ⁶ = Wisdom; jyāyasī¹ = is excellent, is superior; karmaṇaḥ³ = 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?

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

vyāmiśreṇa^1A iva^1B vākyena² buddhim³ mohayasi⁴ iva⁵ me⁶
tat⁷ ekam⁸ vada⁹ niścitya¹⁰ yena¹¹ śreyaḥ¹² aham¹³ āpnuyām¹⁴ 3.2

mohayasi⁴ = You are perplexing; me⁶= my; buddhim³ = understanding, perception; iva⁵ = as such; vyāmiśreṇa^1A iva^1B = by confusing; vākyena² = words. vada⁹ = Tell, say; niścitya¹⁰ = with certainty; tat⁷ = that; ekam⁸ = one; yena¹¹ = by which [by one of which--knowledge or action]; śreyaḥ¹² + 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).

श्रीभगवानुवाच

लोकेऽस्मिन्द्विविधा निष्ठा पुरा प्रोक्ता मयानघ ।

ज्ञानयोगेन सांख्यानां कर्मयोगेन योगिनाम् ॥३- ३॥

śrībhagavān uvāca
lokesmin dvividhā niṣṭhā purā proktā mayānagha
jñānayogena sāṅkhyānāṁ karmayogena yoginām 3.3

śrībhagavān uvāca
loke¹ asmin² dvi-vidhā³ niṣṭhā⁴ purā⁵ proktā⁶ mayā⁷ anagha⁸
jñāna-yogena⁹ sāṅkhyānām¹⁰ karma-yogena¹¹ yoginām¹²

śrībhagavān = Sri Bhagavan (Krishna); uvāca = said: anagha⁸= O Stainless one, O faultless one; dvi-vidhā³ = two kinds of ; niṣṭhā⁴ = 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; sāṅkhyānām¹⁰ = 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).　　

न कर्मणामनारम्भान्नैष्कर्म्यं पुरुषोऽश्नुते ।

न च संन्यसनादेव सिद्धिं समधिगच्छति ॥३- ४॥

na karmaṇām anārambhān naiṣkarmyaṁ puruṣośnute
na ca saṁnyasanād eva siddhiṁ samadhigacchati 3.4

na¹ karmaṇām² anārambhāt³ naiṣkarmyam⁴ puruṣaḥ⁵ aśnute⁶
na⁷ ca⁸ sannyasanāt⁹ eva¹⁰ siddhim¹¹ samadhigacchati¹² 3.4

na¹ = Neither; [because] puruṣaḥ⁵ = 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.

न हि कश्चित्क्षणमपि जातु तिष्ठत्यकर्मकृत् ।

कार्यते ह्यवशः कर्म सर्वः प्रकृतिजैर्गुणैः ॥३- ५॥

na hi kaścit kṣaṇam api jātu tiṣṭhaty akarmakṛt
kāryate hy avaśaḥ karma sarvaḥ prakṛtijair guṇaiḥ 3.5

na¹ hi² kaścit³ kṣaṇam⁴ api⁵ jātu⁶ tiṣṭhati⁷ akarma-kṛt⁸
kāryate⁹ hi¹⁰ avaśaḥ¹¹ karma¹² sarvaḥ¹³ prakṛti-jaiḥ¹⁴ guṇaiḥ¹⁵ 3.5

hi² = Certainly; na¹ =no; kaścit³ = one; jātu⁶ = any time; tiṣṭhati⁷ = remains; api⁵ = even; [for] kṣaṇam⁴ = a moment; akarma-kṛt⁸ = without performing action. hi¹⁰ = Assuredly; sarvaḥ¹³ = all (of humanity or creatures); kāryate⁹ = are made to do; karma¹² = action; [due to] avaśaḥ¹¹ = loss of vasam or control, against their free will; guṇaiḥ¹⁵ = by the Gunas prakṛtijair¹⁴ = prakṛti + jaiḥ = 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.

कर्मेन्द्रियाणि संयम्य य आस्ते मनसा स्मरन् ।

इन्द्रियार्थान्विमूढात्मा मिथ्याचारः स उच्यते ॥३- ६॥

karmendriyāṇi saṁyamya ya āste manasā smaran
indriyārthān vimūḍhātmā mithyācāraḥ sa ucyate 3.6

karma-indriyāṇi¹ saṁyamya² yaḥ³ āste⁴ manasā⁵ smaran⁶
indriya-arthān⁷ vimūḍha⁸ ātmā⁹ mithyā-ācāraḥ¹⁰ saḥ¹¹ ucyate¹² 3.6

vimūḍha⁸ + ātmā⁹ = Foolish soul, ignoramus; yaḥ³ = who; saṁyamya² - bringing under control; karma-indriyāṇi¹ = Sense organs (hands, feet, eyes, nose, ears); āste⁴ = sits; manasā⁵ + smaran⁶= brooding⁶ in the mind⁵; indriya-arthān⁷ = sense objects: saḥ¹¹ ucyate¹² = he¹¹ is called¹²; mithyā-ācāraḥ¹⁰ = 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.

यस्त्विन्द्रियाणि मनसा नियम्यारभतेऽर्जुन ।

कर्मेन्द्रियैः कर्मयोगमसक्तः स विशिष्यते ॥३- ७॥

yas tv indriyāṇi manasā niyamyārabhaterjuna
karmaindriyaiḥ karmayogam asaktaḥ sa viśiṣyate 3.7

yaḥ¹ tu² indriyāṇi³ manasā⁴ niyamya⁵ ārabhate⁶ arjuna⁷
karma-indriyaiḥ⁸ karma-yogam⁹ asaktaḥ¹⁰ saḥ¹¹ viśiṣyate¹² 3.7

arjuna⁷ = O Arjuna; tu² = but; yaḥ¹ = 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) ; saḥ¹¹ viśiṣyate¹² = 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).　

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 jyāyaḥ⁶ hi⁷ akarmaṇaḥ⁸
śarīra⁹ yātrā¹⁰ 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] jyāyaḥ⁶ = 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.

यज्ञार्थात्कर्मणोऽन्यत्र लोकोऽयं कर्मबन्धनः ।

तदर्थं कर्म कौन्तेय मुक्तसङ्गः समाचर ॥३- ९॥

yajñārthāt karmaṇonyatra lokoyaṁ karmabandhanaḥ
tadarthaṁ karma kaunteya muktasaṅgaḥ samācara 3.9

yajñaarthāt¹ karmaṇaḥ² anyatra³ lokaḥ⁴ ayam⁵ karma-bandhanaḥ⁶
tat⁷ artham⁸ karma⁹ kaunteya¹⁰ mukta-saṅgaḥ¹¹ samācara¹²

anyatra³ = Other than, except for; karmaṇaḥ² = the work; yajñaarthāt¹ = performed for God; [in] ayam⁵ = this; lokaḥ⁴ = 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-saṅgaḥ¹¹ = 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.

सहयज्ञाः प्रजाः सृष्ट्वा पुरोवाच प्रजापतिः ।

अनेन प्रसविष्यध्वमेष वोऽस्त्विष्टकामधुक् ॥३- १०॥

sahayajñāḥ prajāḥ sṛṣṭvā purovāca prajāpatiḥ
anena prasaviṣyadhvam eṣa vostv iṣṭakāmadhuk 3.10

saha¹ yajñāḥ² prajāḥ³ sṛṣṭvā⁴ purā⁵ uvāca⁶ prajāpatiḥ⁷
anena⁸ prasaviṣyadhvam⁹ eṣaḥ¹⁰ vaḥ¹¹ 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. eṣaḥ¹⁰ astu¹² = Let¹² this¹⁰ [sacrifice] be; vaḥ¹¹ = 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.

देवान्भावयतानेन ते देवा भावयन्तु वः ।

परस्परं भावयन्तः श्रेयः परमवाप्स्यथ ॥३- ११॥
devān bhāvayatānena te devā bhāvayantu vaḥ
parasparaṁ bhāvayantaḥ śreyaḥ param avāpsyatha 3.11

devān¹ bhāvayata² anena³ te⁴ devāḥ⁵ bhāvayantu⁶ vaḥ⁷
parasparam⁸ bhāvayantaḥ⁹ śreyaḥ¹⁰ param¹¹ avāpsyatha¹² 3.11

bhāvayata² = You nourish; devān¹ = the gods; anena³ = with this sacrifice. te⁴ devāḥ⁵ = these gods; bhāvayantu⁶ = nourish; vaḥ⁷= 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.

इष्टान्भोगान्हि वो देवा दास्यन्ते यज्ञभाविताः ।

तैर्दत्तानप्रदायैभ्यो यो भुङ्क्ते स्तेन एव सः ॥३- १२॥

iṣṭān bhogān hi vo devā dāsyante yajñabhāvitāḥ
tair dattān apradāyaibhyo yo bhuṅkte stena eva saḥ 3.12

iṣṭān¹ bhogān² hi³ vaḥ⁴ devāḥ⁵ dāsyante⁶ yajña-bhāvitāḥ⁷
taiḥ⁸ dattān⁹ apradāya¹⁰ ebhyaḥ¹¹ yaḥ¹² bhuṅkte¹³ stenaḥ¹⁴ eva¹⁵ saḥ¹⁶ 3.12

yajña-bhāvitāḥ⁷ = Having been nourished by sacrifices; devāḥ⁵ = the gods; hi³ = indeed; dāsyante⁶ = bestow; vaḥ⁴ = upon you; iṣṭān¹ = yearned, desired; bhogān² = enjoyments [wife, children cattle...--Sankara]. saḥ¹⁶ = He is; eva¹⁵ = indeed; stenaḥ¹⁴ = a thief, robber; yaḥ¹² = who; bhuṅkte¹³ = enjoys for himself; dattān⁹ = things offered; taiḥ⁸ = by them [by gods]; apradāya¹⁰ + ebhyaḥ¹¹ = 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.

यज्ञशिष्टाशिनः सन्तो मुच्यन्ते सर्वकिल्बिषैः ।

भुञ्जते ते त्वघं पापा ये पचन्त्यात्मकारणात् ॥३- १३॥

yajñaśiṣṭāśinaḥ santo mucyante sarvakilbiṣaiḥ
bhuñjate te tv aghaṁ pāpā ye pacanty ātmakāraṇāt 3.13

yajña-śiṣṭa-aśinaḥ¹ santaḥ² mucyante³ sarva-kilbiṣaiḥ⁴
bhuñjate⁵ te⁶ tu⁷ agham⁸ pāpāḥ⁹ ye¹⁰ pacanti¹¹ ātma-kāraṇāt¹² 3.13

santaḥ² = The good people; yajña-śiṣṭa-aśinaḥ¹ = who eat the remnants of sacrifices [sacrifice-remnants-eaters]; mucyante³ = get liberated; sarva-kilbiṣaiḥ⁴ = from all sins. tu⁷ = But; pāpāḥ⁹ = sinners; ye¹⁰ = who; pacanti¹¹ = cook food; ātma-kāraṇāt¹² = 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.

अन्नाद्भवन्ति भूतानि पर्जन्यादन्नसम्भवः ।

यज्ञाद्भवति पर्जन्यो यज्ञः कर्मसमुद्भवः ॥३- १४॥

annād bhavanti bhūtāni parjanyād annasaṁbhavaḥ
yajñād bhavati parjanyo yajñaḥ karmasamudbhavaḥ 3.14

annāt¹ bhavanti² bhūtāni³ parjanyāt⁴ anna-saṁbhavaḥ⁵
yajñāt⁶ bhavati⁷ parjanyaḥ⁸ yajñaḥ⁹ karma-samudbhavaḥ¹⁰ 3.14

annāt¹ = From food; bhavanti² = are born; bhūtāni³ = life-forms.; parjanyāt⁴ = from rain; anna^5A-saṁbhavaḥ⁵^B = the production^5B of food^5A; yajñāt⁶ = from Yajna or sacrifice; bhavati⁷ = takes origin; parjanyaḥ⁸ = rain. yajñaḥ⁹ = Sacrifice; karma^10A-samudbhavaḥ¹⁰ = arises from^10B actions^10A. 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.

कर्म ब्रह्मोद्भवं विद्धि ब्रह्माक्षरसमुद्भवम् ।

तस्मात्सर्वगतं ब्रह्म नित्यं यज्ञे प्रतिष्ठितम् ॥३- १५॥
karma brahmodbhavaṁ viddhi brahmākṣarasamudbhavam
tasmāt sarvagataṁ brahma nityaṁ yajñe pratiṣṭhitam 3.15

karma¹ brahmaḥ² udbhavam³ viddhi⁴ brahma⁵ akṣara⁶ samudbhavam⁷
tasmāt⁸ sarva-gatam⁹ brahma¹⁰ nityam¹¹ yajñe¹² pratiṣṭhitam¹³ 3.15

viddhi⁴ = Know; karma¹ = action; udbhavam³ = originates from; brahmaḥ² = 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.

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
aghāyuḥ⁸ indriya-ārāmaḥ⁹ mogham¹⁰ pārtha¹¹ saḥ¹² 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; aghāyuḥ⁸ = agham^8A + āyuḥ^8B = whose life is full of sin [sin^8A + whose life^8B]; indriya-ārāmaḥ⁹ = who indulges in sense-pleasure [Epicure]; saḥ¹² 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).

यस्त्वात्मरतिरेव स्यादात्मतृप्तश्च मानवः ।

आत्मन्येव च सन्तुष्टस्तस्य कार्यं न विद्यते ॥३- १७॥

yas tv ātmaratir eva syād ātmatṛptaś ca mānavaḥ
ātmany eva ca santuṣṭas tasya kāryaṁ na vidyate 3.17

yaḥ¹ tu² ātma^3A-ratiḥ^3B eva⁴ syāt⁵ ātma^6A-tṛptaḥ^6B ca⁷ mānavaḥ⁸
ātmani⁹ eva¹⁰ ca¹¹ santuṣṭaḥ¹² tasya¹³ kāryam¹⁴ na¹⁵ vidyate¹⁶ 3.17

tu² = But; mānavaḥ⁸= [that] man; yaḥ¹ = who; syāt⁵ = remains [experiences]; ātma^3A-ratiḥ^3B = pleasure^3B in Self^3A [not an epicure]; eva⁴ = certainly; ātma^6A-tṛptaḥ^6B = one contented^6B in the Self^6A (and not in epicurean pleasures); ca⁷ = and; santuṣṭaḥ¹² = 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.]

नैव तस्य कृतेनार्थो नाकृतेनेह कश्चन ।

न चास्य सर्वभूतेषु कश्चिदर्थव्यपाश्रयः ॥३- १८॥

naiva tasya kṛtenārtho nākṛteneha kaścana

na cāsya sarvabhūteṣu kaścid arthavyapāśrayaḥ 3.18

na¹ eva² tasya³ kṛtena⁴ arthaḥ⁵ na⁶ akṛtena⁷ iha⁸ kaścana⁹

na¹⁰ ca¹¹ asya¹² sarva^13A-bhūteṣu^13B kaścit¹⁴ artha¹⁵ vyapāśrayaḥ¹⁶ 3.18

tasya³ = For that man; na¹ arthaḥ⁵ 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; sarva^13A-bhūteṣu^13B = in all^13A life-forms^13B. 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.

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

asaktaḥ⁷ hi⁸ ācaran⁹ karma¹⁰ param¹¹ āpnoti¹² pūruṣaḥ¹³ 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; asaktaḥ⁷ = unattached [deed as dedication to God]; pūruṣaḥ¹³ = 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).

कर्मणैव हि संसिद्धिमास्थिता जनकादयः ।

लोकसंग्रहमेवापि संपश्यन्कर्तुमर्हसि ॥३- २०॥

karmaṇaiva hi saṁsiddhim āsthitā janakādayaḥ
lokasaṁgraham evāpi saṁpaśyan kartum arhasi 3.20

karmaṇā¹ eva² hi³ saṁsiddhim⁴ āsthitāḥ⁵ janakādayaḥ⁶
lokasaṅgraham⁷ eva⁸ api⁹ sampaśyan¹⁰ kartum¹¹ arhasi¹² 3.20

janakādayaḥ⁶ = Janaka and the like; karmaṇā¹ eva² = through [detached] actions; hi³ = certainly; āsthitāḥ⁵ = 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; lokasaṅgraham⁷ = 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. Saṁgraham = 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.

यद्यदाचरति श्रेष्ठस्तत्तदेवेतरो जनः ।

स यत्प्रमाणं कुरुते लोकस्तदनुवर्तते ॥३- २१॥

yadyad ācarati śreṣṭhas tattad evetaro janaḥ
sa yat pramāṇaṁ kurute lokas tad anuvartate 3.21

yat^1A yat^1B ācarati² śreṣṭhaḥ³ tat⁴ tat⁵ eva⁷ itaraḥ⁸ janaḥ⁹
saḥ¹⁰ yat¹¹ pramāṇam¹² kurute¹³ lokaḥ¹⁴ tat¹⁵ anuvartate¹⁶ 3.21

yat^1A yat^1B = Whatever and whichever; śreṣṭhaḥ³ = great man, superior person; ācarati² = does, performs; itaraḥ⁸ = another; janaḥ⁹ = person; [imitates]; tat⁴ tat⁵ eva⁷ = that and that [action] alone. yat¹¹ = Whatever; saḥ¹⁰ = he [ the superior person]; kurute¹³ = upholds; [as] pramāṇam¹² = testimony, [Vedic or secular authority--Sankara]; lokaḥ¹⁴ = humanity; anuvartate¹⁶ = follows tat¹⁵ = that. 3.21

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

न मे पार्थास्ति कर्तव्यं त्रिषु लोकेषु किंचन ।

नानवाप्तमवाप्तव्यं वर्त एव च कर्मणि ॥३- २२॥

na me pārthāsti kartavyaṁ triṣu lokeṣu kiṁcana
nānavāptam avāptavyaṁ varta eva ca karmaṇi 3.22

na¹ me² pārtha³ asti⁴ kartavyam⁵ triṣu⁶ lokeṣu⁷ kiṁcana⁸
na⁹ anavāptam¹⁰ avāptavyam¹¹ varte¹² eva¹³ ca¹⁴ karmaṇi¹⁵

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; karmaṇi¹⁵ = 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.

यदि ह्यहं न वर्तेयं जातु कर्मण्यतन्द्रितः ।

मम वर्त्मानुवर्तन्ते मनुष्याः पार्थ सर्वशः ॥३- २३॥

yadi hy ahaṁ na varteyaṁ jātu karmaṇy atandritaḥ
mama vartmānuvartante manuṣyāḥ pārtha sarvaśaḥ 3.23

yadi¹ hi² aham³ na⁴ varteyam⁵ jātu⁶ karmaṇi⁷ atandritaḥ⁸
mama⁹ vartma¹⁰ anuvartante¹¹ manuṣyāḥ¹² 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.　

उत्सीदेयुरिमे लोका न कुर्यां कर्म चेदहम् ।

संकरस्य च कर्ता स्यामुपहन्यामिमाः प्रजाः ॥३- २४॥

utsīdeyur ime lokā na kuryāṁ karma ced aham
saṁkarasya ca kartā syām upahanyām imāḥ prajāḥ 3.24

utsīdeyuḥ¹ ime² lokāḥ³ na⁴ kuryām⁵ karma⁶ cet⁷ aham⁸
saṁkarasya⁹ ca¹⁰ kartā¹¹ syām¹² upahanyām¹³ imāḥ¹⁴ prajāḥ¹⁵ 3.24

ime² = These; lokāḥ³ = worlds; utsīdeyuḥ¹ = 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; prajāḥ¹⁵ = 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.

सक्ताः कर्मण्यविद्वांसो यथा कुर्वन्ति भारत ।

कुर्याद्विद्वांस्तथासक्तश्चिकीर्षुर्लोकसंग्रहम् ॥३- २५॥

saktāḥ karmaṇy avidvāṁso yathā kurvanti bhārata

kuryād vidvāṁs tathāsaktaś cikīrṣur lokasaṁgraham 3.25

saktāḥ¹ karmaṇi² avidvāṁsaḥ³ yathā⁴ kurvanti⁵ bhārata⁶

kuryāt⁷ vidvān⁸ tatha⁹ asaktaḥ¹⁰ cikīrṣuḥ¹¹ loka-saṁgraham¹² 3.25

bhārata⁶ = O Bharata (Arjuna); yathā⁴ = as; avidvāṁsaḥ³ = the ignoramuses, the unenlightened; kurvanti⁵ = act; saktāḥ¹ = with attachment; karmaṇi² = to [their] work; vidvān⁸ = the enlightened, the learned; kuryāt⁷ = act; tatha⁹ = thus; asaktaḥ¹⁰ = without adhering or attachment [to fruits of actions]; cikīrṣuḥ¹¹ = wishing to; loka-saṁgraham¹² = 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).　

न बुद्धिभेदं जनयेदज्ञानां कर्मसङ्गिनाम् ।

जोषयेत्सर्वकर्माणि विद्वान्युक्तः समाचरन् ॥३- २६॥

na buddhibhedaṁ janayed ajñānāṁ karmasaṁginām

joṣayet sarvakarmāṇi 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.

प्रकृतेः क्रियमाणानि गुणैः कर्माणि सर्वशः ।

अहंकारविमूढात्मा कर्ताहमिति मन्यते ॥३- २७॥

prakṛteḥ kriyamāṇāni guṇaiḥ karmāṇi sarvaśaḥ
ahaṁkāravimūḍhātmā kartāham iti manyate 3.27

prakṛteḥ¹ kriyamāṇāni² guṇaiḥ³ karmāṇi⁴ sarvaśaḥ⁵
ahaṁkāra-vimūḍha-ātmā⁶ kartā⁷ aham⁸ iti⁹ manyate¹⁰

karmāṇi⁴ = All activities; kriyamāṇāni² = are performed; sarvaśaḥ⁵= in all ways; guṇaiḥ³ = by gunas; prakṛteḥ¹ = of the Nature. ahaṁkāra^6A-vimūḍha^6B-ātmā^6C = The soul^6C deluded^6B by Ahamkara^6A [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.

तत्त्ववित्तु महाबाहो गुणकर्मविभागयोः ।

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

tattvavit tu mahābāho guṇakarmavibhāgayoḥ
guṇā guṇeṣu vartanta iti matvā na sajjate 3.28

tattva-vit¹ tu² mahābāho³ guṇa-karma-vibhāgayoḥ⁴
guṇāḥ⁵ guṇeṣu⁶ vartante⁷ iti⁸ matvā⁹ na¹⁰ sajjate¹¹ 3.28

mahābāho³ = O mighty-armed one; tu² = but; tattva-vit¹ = the knower of Tattvas or Truth; [knows] guṇa^4A -karma^4B -vibhāgayoḥ^4C = about diversity^4C in Gunas^4A and actions^4B; na¹⁰ sajjate¹¹ = does not become attached; iti⁸ + matvā⁹ = thus thinking; guṇāḥ⁵ = 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.

प्रकृतेर्गुणसंमूढाः सज्जन्ते गुणकर्मसु ।

तानकृत्स्नविदो मन्दान्कृत्स्नविन्न विचालयेत् ॥३- २९॥

prakṛter guṇasaṁmūḍhāḥ sajjante guṇakarmasu
tān akṛtsnavido mandān kṛtsnavin na vicālayet 3.29

prakṛteḥ¹ guṇa-saṁmūḍhāḥ² sajjante³ guṇa-karmasu⁴
tān⁵ akṛtsna-vidaḥ⁶ mandān⁷ kṛtsna-vit⁸ na⁹ vicālayet¹⁰ 3.29

guṇa-saṁmūḍhāḥ² = The ones who are deluded or fooled by Gunas; prakṛteḥ¹ = of Nature; sajjante³ = become attached; guṇa-karmasu⁴ = to the actions of Gunas. kṛtsna-vit⁸ = Complete knower; na⁹ vicālayet¹⁰ = should not disturb; akṛtsna-vidaḥ⁶= 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.

मयि सर्वाणि कर्माणि संन्यस्याध्यात्मचेतसा ।

निराशीर्निर्ममो भूत्वा युध्यस्व विगतज्वरः ॥३- ३०॥

mayi sarvāṇi karmāṇi saṁnyasyādhyātmacetasā

nirāśīr nirmamo bhūtvā yudhyasva vigatajvaraḥ 3.30

mayi¹ sarvāṇi² karmāṇi³ saṁnyasya⁴ ādhyātma-cetasā⁵

nirāśīḥ⁶ nirmamaḥ⁷ bhūtvā⁸ yudhyasva⁹ vigata-jvaraḥ¹⁰ 3.30

saṁnyasya⁴ = Dedicating, surrendering; sarvāṇi² = all; karmāṇi³ = actions; mayi¹= to Me; ādhyātma-cetasā⁵ = with mind or consciousness centered on the Self; bhūtvā⁸ = becoming; nirāśīḥ⁶ = free from desires; nirmamaḥ⁷ = without mamakara, free from ego, not self-centered; vigata-jvaraḥ¹⁰ = 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.

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
śraddhāvantaḥ⁸ anasūyantaḥ⁹ mucyante¹⁰ te¹¹ api¹² karmabhiḥ¹³

ye¹= These; [are] me² = My; nityam⁵ = eternal; matam³ = sentiments, opinions, teachings. mānavāḥ⁷= men; anutiṣṭhanti⁶ = follow; idam⁴ = this; śraddhāvantaḥ⁸ = with faith; anasūyantaḥ⁹ = 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.

ये त्वेतदभ्यसूयन्तो नानुतिष्ठन्ति मे मतम् ।

सर्वज्ञानविमूढांस्तान्विद्धि नष्टानचेतसः ॥३- ३२॥

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

ye¹ tu² etat³ abhyasūyantaḥ⁴ na⁵ anutiṣṭhanti⁶ me⁷ matam⁸
sarva⁹ jñāna¹⁰ vimūḍhān¹¹ tān¹² viddhi¹³ naṣṭān¹⁴ acetasaḥ¹⁵ 3.32

tu² = But; ye¹ = they who [are opposed to My teachings]; abhyasūyantaḥ⁴ = are indignant, angry, jealous; na⁵ anutiṣṭhanti⁶ = do not follow; etat³ = this; [and] me⁷ matam⁸ = My thought [My teaching]. sarva⁹ jñāna¹⁰ 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

सदृशं चेष्टते स्वस्याः प्रकृतेर्ज्ञानवानपि ।

प्रकृतिं यान्ति भूतानि निग्रहः किं करिष्यति ॥३- ३३॥

sadṛśaṁ ceṣṭate svasyāḥ prakṛter jñānavān api

prakṛtiṁ yānti bhūtāni nigrahaḥ kiṁ kariṣyati 3.33

sadṛśam¹ ceṣṭate² svasyāḥ³ prakṛteḥ⁴ jñānavān⁵ api⁶

prakṛtim⁷ yānti⁸ bhūtāni⁹ nigrahaḥ¹⁰ kim¹¹ kariṣyati¹²

api⁶ = Even; jñānavān⁵ = a man of wisdom; ceṣṭate² = performs actions; sadṛśam¹ = according to; svasyāḥ³ = his own; prakṛteḥ⁴ = nature. bhūtāni⁹ = Living beings; yānti⁸ = follow; prakṛtim⁷ = nature; kim¹¹ = what; [can] nigrahaḥ¹⁰ = restraint; kariṣyati¹² = 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?

इन्द्रियस्येन्द्रियस्यार्थे रागद्वेषौ व्यवस्थितौ ।

तयोर्न वशमागच्छेत्तौ ह्यस्य परिपन्थिनौ ॥३- ३४॥

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

indriyasya¹ indriyasya² arthe³ rāga-dveṣau⁴ vyavasthitau⁵
tayoḥ⁶ na⁷ vaśam⁸ āgacchet⁹ tau¹⁰ hi¹¹ asya¹² paripanthinau¹³ 3.34

rāga-dveṣau⁴ = 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]; tayoḥ⁶ = 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).

श्रेयान्स्वधर्मो विगुणः परधर्मात्स्वनुष्ठितात् ।

स्वधर्मे निधनं श्रेयः परधर्मो भयावहः ॥३- ३५॥

śreyān svadharmo viguṇaḥ paradharmāt svanuṣṭhitāt

svadharme nidhanaṁ śreyaḥ paradharmo bhayāvahaḥ 3.35

śreyān¹ svadharmaḥ² viguṇaḥ³ para-dharmāt⁴ svanuṣṭhitāt⁵

sva-dharme⁶ nidhanam⁷ śreyaḥ⁸ para-dharmaḥ⁹ bhaya-āvahaḥ¹⁰

svadharmaḥ² = 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-dharmaḥ⁹ = 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.

अर्जुन उवाच

अथ केन प्रयुक्तोऽयं पापं चरति पूरुषः ।

अनिच्छन्नपि वार्ष्णेय बलादिव नियोजितः ॥३- ३६॥

arjuna uvāca

atha kena prayuktoyaṁ pāpaṁ carati pūruṣaḥ
anicchann api vārṣṇeya balād iva niyojitaḥ 3.36

arjuna uvāca

atha¹ kena² prayuktaḥ³ ayam⁴ pāpam⁵ carati⁶ pūruṣaḥ⁷
anicchann⁸ api⁹ vārṣṇeya¹⁰ balāt¹¹ iva¹² niyojitaḥ¹³ 3.36

arjuna = Arjuna; uvāca = said; vārṣṇeya¹⁰ = O Scion of Vrsni; kena² = by what; atha¹ = then; ayam⁴ this; pūruṣaḥ⁷= man; prayuktaḥ³ = 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?

श्रीभगवानुवाच

काम एष क्रोध एष रजोगुणसमुद्भवः ।

महाशनो महापाप्मा विद्ध्येनमिह वैरिणम् ॥३- ३७॥

śrībhagavān uvāca

kāma eṣa krodha eṣa rajoguṇasamudbhavaḥ
mahāśano mahāpāpmā viddhy enam iha vairiṇam 3.37

śrībhagavān uvāca

kāmaḥ¹ eṣaḥ² krodhaḥ³ eṣaḥ⁴ rajoguṇa-samudbhavaḥ⁵
mahā-aśanaḥ⁶ mahāpāpmā⁷ viddhi⁸ enam⁹ iha¹⁰ vairiṇam¹¹ 3.37

śrībhagavān = Sri Bhagavan Krishna; uvāca = said; eṣaḥ² = this; kāmaḥ¹ = desire; eṣaḥ⁴ = this; krodhaḥ³ = anger; rajoguṇa-samudbhavaḥ⁵ = arising from Rajas Guna; [is] mahā-aśanaḥ⁶= 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).　　　

धूमेनाव्रियते वह्निर्यथादर्शो मलेन च ।

यथोल्बेनावृतो गर्भस्तथा तेनेदमावृतम् ॥३- ३८॥

dhūmenāvriyate vahnir yathādarśo malena ca

yatholbenāvṛto garbhas tathā tenedam āvṛtam 3.38

dhūmena¹ āvriyate² vahniḥ³ yathā⁴ ādarśaḥ⁵ malena⁶ ca⁷

yathaḥ⁸ ulbena⁹ āvṛtaḥ¹⁰ garbhaḥ¹¹ tathā¹² tena¹³ idam¹⁴ āvṛtam¹⁵ 3.38

[As] dhūmena¹ = smoke; āvriyate² = is enveloped; vahniḥ³ = by fire; yathā⁴= as; ādarśaḥ⁵ = mirror; malena⁶ = by impurity or dust; ca⁷ = and; yathaḥ⁸= as; garbhaḥ¹¹ = fetus; āvṛtaḥ¹⁰ = 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.

आवृतं ज्ञानमेतेन ज्ञानिनो नित्यवैरिणा ।

कामरूपेण कौन्तेय दुष्पूरेणानलेन च ॥३- ३९॥

āvṛtaṁ jñānam etena jñānino nityavairiṇā

kāmarupeṇa kaunteya duṣpūreṇānalena ca 3.39

āvṛtam¹ jñānam² etena³ jñāninaḥ⁴ nityavairiṇā⁵

kāma-rupeṇa⁶ kaunteya⁷ duṣpūreṇa⁸ analena⁹ ca¹⁰ 3.39

kaunteya⁷ = O son of Kunti; jñānam² = wisdom; āvṛtam¹ = is covered; etena³ = by this; nitya vairiṇā⁵ = eternal foe; jñāninaḥ⁴ = of the wise; kāma^6A-rupeṇa^6B = in the form of desire [desire^6A + in form of^6B]; [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.

इन्द्रियाणि मनो बुद्धिरस्याधिष्ठानमुच्यते ।

एतैर्विमोहयत्येष ज्ञानमावृत्य देहिनम् ॥३- ४०॥

indriyāṇi mano buddhir asyādhiṣṭhānam ucyate

etair vimohayaty eṣa jñānam āvṛtya dehinam 3.40

indriyāṇi¹ manaḥ² buddhiḥ³ asya⁴ adhiṣṭhānam⁵ ucyate⁶

etaiḥ⁷ vimohayati⁸ eṣaḥ⁹ jñānam¹⁰ āvṛtya¹¹ dehinam¹² 3.40

indriyāṇi¹ = Senses; manaḥ² = mind; buddhiḥ³ = intellect; ucyate⁶ = are said to be; asya⁴ + adhiṣṭhānam⁵ = seat of desire [desire's⁴ seat⁵]. eṣaḥ⁹ = This one [desire]; vimohayati⁸ = induces delusion; dehinam¹² = in the embodied soul, the jivatma; āvṛtya¹¹ = by covering; jñānam¹⁰ = knowledge; etaiḥ⁷ = 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.

तस्मात्त्वमिन्द्रियाण्यादौ नियम्य भरतर्षभ ।

पाप्मानं प्रजहि ह्येनं ज्ञानविज्ञाननाशनम् ॥३- ४१॥

tasmāt tvam indriyāṇy ādau niyamya bharatarṣabha
pāpmānaṁ prajahi hy enaṁ jñānavijñānanāśanam 3.41

tasmāt¹ tvam² indriyāṇi³ ādau⁴ niyamya⁵ bharatarṣabha⁶
pāpmānam⁷ prajahi⁸ hi⁹ enam¹⁰ jñāna¹¹-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] jñāna¹¹ 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).

इन्द्रियाणि पराण्याहुरिन्द्रियेभ्यः परं मनः ।

मनसस्तु परा बुद्धिर्यो बुद्धेः परतस्तु सः ॥३- ४२॥

indriyāṇi parāṇy āhur indriyebhyaḥ paraṁ manaḥ
manasas tu parā buddhir yo buddheḥ paratas tu saḥ 3.42

indriyāṇi¹ parāṇi² āhuḥ³ indriyebhyaḥ⁴ param⁵ manaḥ⁶
manasaḥ⁷ tu⁸ parā⁸ buddhiḥ⁹ yaḥ¹⁰ buddheḥ¹¹ parataḥ¹² tu¹³ saḥ¹⁴ 3.42

āhuḥ³ = It is said; indriyāṇi¹ = the sense organs [Ear, Skin, Eyes, Tongue and Nose; Larynx, Hands, Feet, Anus, and Genitals] [are] parāṇi² = superior. param⁵ = Superior, greater than; indriyebhyaḥ⁴ = to the sense organs; [is] manaḥ⁶ = the mind. parā⁸ = Superior, [greater than]; manasaḥ⁷ = to the mind; tu⁸ = moreover. however; [is] buddhiḥ⁹ = intellect; tu¹³ = However; yaḥ¹⁰ = one which; [is]; saḥ¹⁴ = That One (the Supreme Self, Atma); [is] parataḥ¹² = 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.

एवं बुद्धेः परं बुद्ध्वा संस्तभ्यात्मानमात्मना ।

जहि शत्रुं महाबाहो कामरूपं दुरासदम् ॥३- ४३॥

evaṁ buddheḥ paraṁ buddhvā saṁstabhyātmānam 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.

End of chapter 03, Karmayoga