कर्मयोग
The Yoga of Action · 43 Shlokas
Krishna teaches selfless action — performing one's duty without attachment to results. By acting as an offering and for the welfare of the world (lokasangraha), one is freed from the bondage of karma while remaining fully engaged in life.
अर्जुन उवाच ज्यायसी चेत्कर्मणस्ते मता बुद्धिर्जनार्दन। तत्किं कर्मणि घोरे मां नियोजयसि केशव
ಅರ್ಜುನ ಉವಾಚ ಜ್ಯಾಯಸೀ ಚೇತ್ಕರ್ಮಣಸ್ತೇ ಮತಾ ಬುದ್ಧಿರ್ಜನಾರ್ದನ। ತತ್ಕಿಂ ಕರ್ಮಣಿ ಘೋರೇ ಮಾಂ ನಿಯೋಜಯಸಿ ಕೇಶವ
arjuna uvācha jyāyasī chet karmaṇas te matā buddhir janārdana tat kiṁ karmaṇi ghore māṁ niyojayasi keśhava
📖 Meaning
Arjuna said: If Thou thinkest that knowledge is superior to action, O Krishna, why then, O Kesava, doest Thou ask me to engage in this terrible action?
व्यामिश्रेणेव वाक्येन बुद्धिं मोहयसीव मे। तदेकं वद निश्िचत्य येन श्रेयोऽहमाप्नुयाम्
ವ್ಯಾಮಿಶ್ರೇಣೇವ ವಾಕ್ಯೇನ ಬುದ್ಧಿಂ ಮೋಹಯಸೀವ ಮೇ। ತದೇಕಂ ವದ ನಿಶ್ಿಚತ್ಯ ಯೇನ ಶ್ರೇಯೋಽಹಮಾಪ್ನುಯಾಮ್
vyāmiśhreṇeva vākyena buddhiṁ mohayasīva me tad ekaṁ vada niśhchitya yena śhreyo ’ham āpnuyām
📖 Meaning
With this seemingly perplexing speech, you seem to be confusing my understanding; therefore, tell me one certain way by which I may attain bliss.
श्री भगवानुवाच लोकेऽस्मिन्द्विविधा निष्ठा पुरा प्रोक्ता मयानघ। ज्ञानयोगेन सांख्यानां कर्मयोगेन योगिनाम्
ಶ್ರೀ ಭಗವಾನುವಾಚ ಲೋಕೇಽಸ್ಮಿನ್ದ್ವಿವಿಧಾ ನಿಷ್ಠಾ ಪುರಾ ಪ್ರೋಕ್ತಾ ಮಯಾನಘ। ಜ್ಞಾನಯೋಗೇನ ಸಾಂಖ್ಯಾನಾಂ ಕರ್ಮಯೋಗೇನ ಯೋಗಿನಾಮ್
śhrī bhagavān uvācha loke’smin dvi-vidhā niṣhṭhā purā proktā mayānagha jñāna-yogena sāṅkhyānāṁ karma-yogena yoginām
📖 Meaning
The Blessed Lord said, "In this world, there is a twofold path, as I said before, O sinless one: the path of knowledge of the Sankhyas and the path of action of the Yogins."
न कर्मणामनारम्भान्नैष्कर्म्यं पुरुषोऽश्नुते। न च संन्यसनादेव सिद्धिं समधिगच्छति
ನ ಕರ್ಮಣಾಮನಾರಮ್ಭಾನ್ನೈಷ್ಕರ್ಮ್ಯಂ ಪುರುಷೋಽಶ್ನುತೇ। ನ ಚ ಸಂನ್ಯಸನಾದೇವ ಸಿದ್ಧಿಂ ಸಮಧಿಗಚ್ಛತಿ
na karmaṇām anārambhān naiṣhkarmyaṁ puruṣho ’śhnute na cha sannyasanād eva siddhiṁ samadhigachchhati
📖 Meaning
Man does not reach actionlessness by not performing actions; nor does he attain perfection by mere renunciation.
न हि कश्िचत्क्षणमपि जातु तिष्ठत्यकर्मकृत्। कार्यते ह्यवशः कर्म सर्वः प्रकृतिजैर्गुणैः
ನ ಹಿ ಕಶ್ಿಚತ್ಕ್ಷಣಮಪಿ ಜಾತು ತಿಷ್ಠತ್ಯಕರ್ಮಕೃತ್। ಕಾರ್ಯತೇ ಹ್ಯವಶಃ ಕರ್ಮ ಸರ್ವಃ ಪ್ರಕೃತಿಜೈರ್ಗುಣೈಃ
na hi kaśhchit kṣhaṇam api jātu tiṣhṭhatyakarma-kṛit kāryate hyavaśhaḥ karma sarvaḥ prakṛiti-jair guṇaiḥ
📖 Meaning
Verily, no one can remain for even a moment without performing action; for everyone is made to act helplessly, indeed, by the qualities born of Nature.
कर्मेन्द्रियाणि संयम्य य आस्ते मनसा स्मरन्। इन्द्रियार्थान्विमूढात्मा मिथ्याचारः स उच्यते
ಕರ್ಮೇನ್ದ್ರಿಯಾಣಿ ಸಂಯಮ್ಯ ಯ ಆಸ್ತೇ ಮನಸಾ ಸ್ಮರನ್। ಇನ್ದ್ರಿಯಾರ್ಥಾನ್ವಿಮೂಢಾತ್ಮಾ ಮಿಥ್ಯಾಚಾರಃ ಸ ಉಚ್ಯತೇ
karmendriyāṇi sanyamya ya āste manasā smaran indriyārthān vimūḍhātmā mithyāchāraḥ sa uchyate
📖 Meaning
He who, restraining the organs of action, sits thinking of the sense-objects in his mind, he of deluded understanding is called a hypocrite.
यस्त्विन्द्रियाणि मनसा नियम्यारभतेऽर्जुन। कर्मेन्द्रियैः कर्मयोगमसक्तः स विशिष्यते
ಯಸ್ತ್ವಿನ್ದ್ರಿಯಾಣಿ ಮನಸಾ ನಿಯಮ್ಯಾರಭತೇಽರ್ಜುನ। ಕರ್ಮೇನ್ದ್ರಿಯೈಃ ಕರ್ಮಯೋಗಮಸಕ್ತಃ ಸ ವಿಶಿಷ್ಯತೇ
yas tvindriyāṇi manasā niyamyārabhate ’rjuna karmendriyaiḥ karma-yogam asaktaḥ sa viśhiṣhyate
📖 Meaning
But whoever, controlling the senses by the mind, O Arjuna, engages himself in Karma Yoga with the organs of action, without attachment, he excels.
नियतं कुरु कर्म त्वं कर्म ज्यायो ह्यकर्मणः। शरीरयात्रापि च ते न प्रसिद्ध्येदकर्मणः
ನಿಯತಂ ಕುರು ಕರ್ಮ ತ್ವಂ ಕರ್ಮ ಜ್ಯಾಯೋ ಹ್ಯಕರ್ಮಣಃ। ಶರೀರಯಾತ್ರಾಪಿ ಚ ತೇ ನ ಪ್ರಸಿದ್ಧ್ಯೇದಕರ್ಮಣಃ
niyataṁ kuru karma tvaṁ karma jyāyo hyakarmaṇaḥ śharīra-yātrāpi cha te na prasiddhyed akarmaṇaḥ
📖 Meaning
Perform your bounden duty, for action is superior to inaction, and even the maintenance of the body would not be possible for you through inaction.
यज्ञार्थात्कर्मणोऽन्यत्र लोकोऽयं कर्मबन्धनः। तदर्थं कर्म कौन्तेय मुक्तसंगः समाचर
ಯಜ್ಞಾರ್ಥಾತ್ಕರ್ಮಣೋಽನ್ಯತ್ರ ಲೋಕೋಽಯಂ ಕರ್ಮಬನ್ಧನಃ। ತದರ್ಥಂ ಕರ್ಮ ಕೌನ್ತೇಯ ಮುಕ್ತಸಂಗಃ ಸಮಾಚರ
yajñārthāt karmaṇo ’nyatra loko ’yaṁ karma-bandhanaḥ tad-arthaṁ karma kaunteya mukta-saṅgaḥ samāchara
📖 Meaning
The world is bound by actions other than those performed for the sake of sacrifice; do thou, therefore, O son of Kunti (Arjuna), perform actions for that sake alone, free from attachment.
सहयज्ञाः प्रजाः सृष्ट्वा पुरोवाच प्रजापतिः। अनेन प्रसविष्यध्वमेष वोऽस्त्विष्टकामधुक्
ಸಹಯಜ್ಞಾಃ ಪ್ರಜಾಃ ಸೃಷ್ಟ್ವಾ ಪುರೋವಾಚ ಪ್ರಜಾಪತಿಃ। ಅನೇನ ಪ್ರಸವಿಷ್ಯಧ್ವಮೇಷ ವೋಽಸ್ತ್ವಿಷ್ಟಕಾಮಧುಕ್
saha-yajñāḥ prajāḥ sṛiṣhṭvā purovācha prajāpatiḥ anena prasaviṣhyadhvam eṣha vo ’stviṣhṭa-kāma-dhuk
📖 Meaning
The Creator, having in the beginning created mankind together with sacrifice, said, "By this shall you propagate; let this be the milch cow of your desires—the cow that yields all the desired objects."
देवान्भावयतानेन ते देवा भावयन्तु वः। परस्परं भावयन्तः श्रेयः परमवाप्स्यथ
ದೇವಾನ್ಭಾವಯತಾನೇನ ತೇ ದೇವಾ ಭಾವಯನ್ತು ವಃ। ಪರಸ್ಪರಂ ಭಾವಯನ್ತಃ ಶ್ರೇಯಃ ಪರಮವಾಪ್ಸ್ಯಥ
devān bhāvayatānena te devā bhāvayantu vaḥ parasparaṁ bhāvayantaḥ śhreyaḥ param avāpsyatha
📖 Meaning
With this, nourish the gods, and may the gods nourish you; thus, nourishing each other, you shall attain the highest good.
इष्टान्भोगान्हि वो देवा दास्यन्ते यज्ञभाविताः। तैर्दत्तानप्रदायैभ्यो यो भुङ्क्ते स्तेन एव सः
ಇಷ್ಟಾನ್ಭೋಗಾನ್ಹಿ ವೋ ದೇವಾ ದಾಸ್ಯನ್ತೇ ಯಜ್ಞಭಾವಿತಾಃ। ತೈರ್ದತ್ತಾನಪ್ರದಾಯೈಭ್ಯೋ ಯೋ ಭುಙ್ಕ್ತೇ ಸ್ತೇನ ಏವ ಸಃ
iṣhṭān bhogān hi vo devā dāsyante yajña-bhāvitāḥ tair dattān apradāyaibhyo yo bhuṅkte stena eva saḥ
📖 Meaning
The gods, nourished by the sacrifice, will give you the desired objects. So, he who enjoys the objects given by the gods without offering anything in return is indeed a thief.
यज्ञशिष्टाशिनः सन्तो मुच्यन्ते सर्वकिल्बिषैः। भुञ्जते ते त्वघं पापा ये पचन्त्यात्मकारणात्
ಯಜ್ಞಶಿಷ್ಟಾಶಿನಃ ಸನ್ತೋ ಮುಚ್ಯನ್ತೇ ಸರ್ವಕಿಲ್ಬಿಷೈಃ। ಭುಞ್ಜತೇ ತೇ ತ್ವಘಂ ಪಾಪಾ ಯೇ ಪಚನ್ತ್ಯಾತ್ಮಕಾರಣಾತ್
yajña-śhiṣhṭāśhinaḥ santo muchyante sarva-kilbiṣhaiḥ bhuñjate te tvaghaṁ pāpā ye pachantyātma-kāraṇāt
📖 Meaning
The righteous who eat the remnants of the sacrifice are freed from all sins; but those sinful ones who cook food solely for their own sake indeed consume sin.
अन्नाद्भवन्ति भूतानि पर्जन्यादन्नसम्भवः। यज्ञाद्भवति पर्जन्यो यज्ञः कर्मसमुद्भवः
ಅನ್ನಾದ್ಭವನ್ತಿ ಭೂತಾನಿ ಪರ್ಜನ್ಯಾದನ್ನಸಮ್ಭವಃ। ಯಜ್ಞಾದ್ಭವತಿ ಪರ್ಜನ್ಯೋ ಯಜ್ಞಃ ಕರ್ಮಸಮುದ್ಭವಃ
annād bhavanti bhūtāni parjanyād anna-sambhavaḥ yajñād bhavati parjanyo yajñaḥ karma-samudbhavaḥ
📖 Meaning
From food come forth beings; from rain, food is produced; from sacrifice arises rain, and sacrifice is born of action.
कर्म ब्रह्मोद्भवं विद्धि ब्रह्माक्षरसमुद्भवम्। तस्मात्सर्वगतं ब्रह्म नित्यं यज्ञे प्रतिष्ठितम्
ಕರ್ಮ ಬ್ರಹ್ಮೋದ್ಭವಂ ವಿದ್ಧಿ ಬ್ರಹ್ಮಾಕ್ಷರಸಮುದ್ಭವಮ್। ತಸ್ಮಾತ್ಸರ್ವಗತಂ ಬ್ರಹ್ಮ ನಿತ್ಯಂ ಯಜ್ಞೇ ಪ್ರತಿಷ್ಠಿತಮ್
karma brahmodbhavaṁ viddhi brahmākṣhara-samudbhavam tasmāt sarva-gataṁ brahma nityaṁ yajñe pratiṣhṭhitam
📖 Meaning
Know that action comes from Brahma, and Brahma comes from the Imperishable. Therefore, the all-pervasive Brahma ever rests in sacrifice.
एवं प्रवर्तितं चक्रं नानुवर्तयतीह यः। अघायुरिन्द्रियारामो मोघं पार्थ स जीवति
ಏವಂ ಪ್ರವರ್ತಿತಂ ಚಕ್ರಂ ನಾನುವರ್ತಯತೀಹ ಯಃ। ಅಘಾಯುರಿನ್ದ್ರಿಯಾರಾಮೋ ಮೋಘಂ ಪಾರ್ಥ ಸ ಜೀವತಿ
evaṁ pravartitaṁ chakraṁ nānuvartayatīha yaḥ aghāyur indriyārāmo moghaṁ pārtha sa jīvati
📖 Meaning
He who does not follow the wheel thus set in motion, who is of sinful life, rejoicing in the senses, lives in vain, O Arjuna.
यस्त्वात्मरतिरेव स्यादात्मतृप्तश्च मानवः। आत्मन्येव च सन्तुष्टस्तस्य कार्यं न विद्यते
ಯಸ್ತ್ವಾತ್ಮರತಿರೇವ ಸ್ಯಾದಾತ್ಮತೃಪ್ತಶ್ಚ ಮಾನವಃ। ಆತ್ಮನ್ಯೇವ ಚ ಸನ್ತುಷ್ಟಸ್ತಸ್ಯ ಕಾರ್ಯಂ ನ ವಿದ್ಯತೇ
yas tvātma-ratir eva syād ātma-tṛiptaśh cha mānavaḥ ātmanyeva cha santuṣhṭas tasya kāryaṁ na vidyate
📖 Meaning
But for that man who rejoices only in the Self, who is satisfied with the Self and is content in the Self alone, indeed there is nothing to do.
नैव तस्य कृतेनार्थो नाकृतेनेह कश्चन। न चास्य सर्वभूतेषु कश्िचदर्थव्यपाश्रयः
ನೈವ ತಸ್ಯ ಕೃತೇನಾರ್ಥೋ ನಾಕೃತೇನೇಹ ಕಶ್ಚನ। ನ ಚಾಸ್ಯ ಸರ್ವಭೂತೇಷು ಕಶ್ಿಚದರ್ಥವ್ಯಪಾಶ್ರಯಃ
naiva tasya kṛitenārtho nākṛiteneha kaśhchana na chāsya sarva-bhūteṣhu kaśhchid artha-vyapāśhrayaḥ
📖 Meaning
For him, there is no interest whatsoever in what is done or not done; nor does he depend on any being for any purpose.
तस्मादसक्तः सततं कार्यं कर्म समाचर। असक्तो ह्याचरन्कर्म परमाप्नोति पूरुषः
ತಸ್ಮಾದಸಕ್ತಃ ಸತತಂ ಕಾರ್ಯಂ ಕರ್ಮ ಸಮಾಚರ। ಅಸಕ್ತೋ ಹ್ಯಾಚರನ್ಕರ್ಮ ಪರಮಾಪ್ನೋತಿ ಪೂರುಷಃ
tasmād asaktaḥ satataṁ kāryaṁ karma samāchara asakto hyācharan karma param āpnoti pūruṣhaḥ
📖 Meaning
Therefore, without attachment, always perform the actions that should be done; for by performing actions without attachment, one reaches the Supreme.
कर्मणैव हि संसिद्धिमास्थिता जनकादयः। लोकसंग्रहमेवापि संपश्यन्कर्तुमर्हसि
ಕರ್ಮಣೈವ ಹಿ ಸಂಸಿದ್ಧಿಮಾಸ್ಥಿತಾ ಜನಕಾದಯಃ। ಲೋಕಸಂಗ್ರಹಮೇವಾಪಿ ಸಂಪಶ್ಯನ್ಕರ್ತುಮರ್ಹಸಿ
karmaṇaiva hi sansiddhim āsthitā janakādayaḥ loka-saṅgraham evāpi sampaśhyan kartum arhasi
📖 Meaning
Janaka and others attained perfection indeed through action alone; even with the intention of protecting the masses, you should perform action.
यद्यदाचरति श्रेष्ठस्तत्तदेवेतरो जनः। स यत्प्रमाणं कुरुते लोकस्तदनुवर्तते
ಯದ್ಯದಾಚರತಿ ಶ್ರೇಷ್ಠಸ್ತತ್ತದೇವೇತರೋ ಜನಃ। ಸ ಯತ್ಪ್ರಮಾಣಂ ಕುರುತೇ ಲೋಕಸ್ತದನುವರ್ತತೇ
yad yad ācharati śhreṣhṭhas tat tad evetaro janaḥ sa yat pramāṇaṁ kurute lokas tad anuvartate
📖 Meaning
Whatever a great man does, others also do; whatever he establishes as the standard, the world follows.
न मे पार्थास्ति कर्तव्यं त्रिषु लोकेषु किञ्चन। नानवाप्तमवाप्तव्यं वर्त एव च कर्मणि
ನ ಮೇ ಪಾರ್ಥಾಸ್ತಿ ಕರ್ತವ್ಯಂ ತ್ರಿಷು ಲೋಕೇಷು ಕಿಞ್ಚನ। ನಾನವಾಪ್ತಮವಾಪ್ತವ್ಯಂ ವರ್ತ ಏವ ಚ ಕರ್ಮಣಿ
na me pārthāsti kartavyaṁ triṣhu lokeṣhu kiñchana nānavāptam avāptavyaṁ varta eva cha karmaṇi
📖 Meaning
There is nothing in the three worlds, O Arjuna, that needs to be done by Me, nor is there anything unattained that needs to be attained; yet I engage Myself in action.
यदि ह्यहं न वर्तेयं जातु कर्मण्यतन्द्रितः। मम वर्त्मानुवर्तन्ते मनुष्याः पार्थ सर्वशः
ಯದಿ ಹ್ಯಹಂ ನ ವರ್ತೇಯಂ ಜಾತು ಕರ್ಮಣ್ಯತನ್ದ್ರಿತಃ। ಮಮ ವರ್ತ್ಮಾನುವರ್ತನ್ತೇ ಮನುಷ್ಯಾಃ ಪಾರ್ಥ ಸರ್ವಶಃ
yadi hyahaṁ na varteyaṁ jātu karmaṇyatandritaḥ mama vartmānuvartante manuṣhyāḥ pārtha sarvaśhaḥ
📖 Meaning
For, should I not ever engage myself in action, unwearied, people would in every way follow my path, O Arjuna.
उत्सीदेयुरिमे लोका न कुर्यां कर्म चेदहम्। सङ्करस्य च कर्ता स्यामुपहन्यामिमाः प्रजाः
ಉತ್ಸೀದೇಯುರಿಮೇ ಲೋಕಾ ನ ಕುರ್ಯಾಂ ಕರ್ಮ ಚೇದಹಮ್। ಸಙ್ಕರಸ್ಯ ಚ ಕರ್ತಾ ಸ್ಯಾಮುಪಹನ್ಯಾಮಿಮಾಃ ಪ್ರಜಾಃ
utsīdeyur ime lokā na kuryāṁ karma ched aham sankarasya cha kartā syām upahanyām imāḥ prajāḥ
📖 Meaning
These worlds would perish if I did not perform action; I would be the author of confusion of castes and destruction of these beings.
सक्ताः कर्मण्यविद्वांसो यथा कुर्वन्ति भारत। कुर्याद्विद्वांस्तथासक्तश्िचकीर्षुर्लोकसंग्रहम्
ಸಕ್ತಾಃ ಕರ್ಮಣ್ಯವಿದ್ವಾಂಸೋ ಯಥಾ ಕುರ್ವನ್ತಿ ಭಾರತ। ಕುರ್ಯಾದ್ವಿದ್ವಾಂಸ್ತಥಾಸಕ್ತಶ್ಿಚಕೀರ್ಷುರ್ಲೋಕಸಂಗ್ರಹಮ್
saktāḥ karmaṇyavidvānso yathā kurvanti bhārata kuryād vidvāns tathāsaktaśh chikīrṣhur loka-saṅgraham
📖 Meaning
As the ignorant act out of attachment to action, O Bharata, so should the wise act without attachment, wishing for the welfare of the world.
न बुद्धिभेदं जनयेदज्ञानां कर्मसङ्गिनाम्। जोषयेत्सर्वकर्माणि विद्वान् युक्तः समाचरन्
ನ ಬುದ್ಧಿಭೇದಂ ಜನಯೇದಜ್ಞಾನಾಂ ಕರ್ಮಸಙ್ಗಿನಾಮ್। ಜೋಷಯೇತ್ಸರ್ವಕರ್ಮಾಣಿ ವಿದ್ವಾನ್ ಯುಕ್ತಃ ಸಮಾಚರನ್
na buddhi-bhedaṁ janayed ajñānāṁ karma-saṅginām joṣhayet sarva-karmāṇi vidvān yuktaḥ samācharan
📖 Meaning
Let no wise man unsettle the minds of ignorant people who are attached to action; he should engage them in all actions, himself fulfilling them with devotion.
प्रकृतेः क्रियमाणानि गुणैः कर्माणि सर्वशः। अहङ्कारविमूढात्मा कर्ताऽहमिति मन्यते
ಪ್ರಕೃತೇಃ ಕ್ರಿಯಮಾಣಾನಿ ಗುಣೈಃ ಕರ್ಮಾಣಿ ಸರ್ವಶಃ। ಅಹಙ್ಕಾರವಿಮೂಢಾತ್ಮಾ ಕರ್ತಾಽಹಮಿತಿ ಮನ್ಯತೇ
prakṛiteḥ kriyamāṇāni guṇaiḥ karmāṇi sarvaśhaḥ ahankāra-vimūḍhātmā kartāham iti manyate
📖 Meaning
All actions are wrought in all cases by the qualities of Nature alone. He whose mind is deluded by egoism thinks, "I am the doer."
तत्त्ववित्तु महाबाहो गुणकर्मविभागयोः। गुणा गुणेषु वर्तन्त इति मत्वा न सज्जते
ತತ್ತ್ವವಿತ್ತು ಮಹಾಬಾಹೋ ಗುಣಕರ್ಮವಿಭಾಗಯೋಃ। ಗುಣಾ ಗುಣೇಷು ವರ್ತನ್ತ ಇತಿ ಮತ್ವಾ ನ ಸಜ್ಜತೇ
tattva-vit tu mahā-bāho guṇa-karma-vibhāgayoḥ guṇā guṇeṣhu vartanta iti matvā na sajjate
📖 Meaning
But he who knows the Truth, O mighty-armed Arjuna, about the divisions of the qualities and their functions, knowing that the Gunas, as senses, move amidst the Gunas, as the sense-objects, is not attached.
प्रकृतेर्गुणसम्मूढाः सज्जन्ते गुणकर्मसु। तानकृत्स्नविदो मन्दान्कृत्स्नविन्न विचालयेत्
ಪ್ರಕೃತೇರ್ಗುಣಸಮ್ಮೂಢಾಃ ಸಜ್ಜನ್ತೇ ಗುಣಕರ್ಮಸು। ತಾನಕೃತ್ಸ್ನವಿದೋ ಮನ್ದಾನ್ಕೃತ್ಸ್ನವಿನ್ನ ವಿಚಾಲಯೇತ್
prakṛiter guṇa-sammūḍhāḥ sajjante guṇa-karmasu tān akṛitsna-vido mandān kṛitsna-vin na vichālayet
📖 Meaning
Those deluded by the qualities of Nature are attached to the functions of the qualities. The man of perfect knowledge should not unsettle the foolish one who is of imperfect knowledge.
मयि सर्वाणि कर्माणि संन्यस्याध्यात्मचेतसा। निराशीर्निर्ममो भूत्वा युध्यस्व विगतज्वरः
ಮಯಿ ಸರ್ವಾಣಿ ಕರ್ಮಾಣಿ ಸಂನ್ಯಸ್ಯಾಧ್ಯಾತ್ಮಚೇತಸಾ। ನಿರಾಶೀರ್ನಿರ್ಮಮೋ ಭೂತ್ವಾ ಯುಧ್ಯಸ್ವ ವಿಗತಜ್ವರಃ
mayi sarvāṇi karmāṇi sannyasyādhyātma-chetasā nirāśhīr nirmamo bhūtvā yudhyasva vigata-jvaraḥ
📖 Meaning
Renouncing all actions in Me, with the mind centered on the Self, free from hope and egoism, and from mental fever, fight thou.
ये मे मतमिदं नित्यमनुतिष्ठन्ति मानवाः। श्रद्धावन्तोऽनसूयन्तो मुच्यन्ते तेऽपि कर्मभिः
ಯೇ ಮೇ ಮತಮಿದಂ ನಿತ್ಯಮನುತಿಷ್ಠನ್ತಿ ಮಾನವಾಃ। ಶ್ರದ್ಧಾವನ್ತೋಽನಸೂಯನ್ತೋ ಮುಚ್ಯನ್ತೇ ತೇಽಪಿ ಕರ್ಮಭಿಃ
ye me matam idaṁ nityam anutiṣhṭhanti mānavāḥ śhraddhāvanto ’nasūyanto muchyante te ’pi karmabhiḥ
📖 Meaning
Those who constantly practice this teaching of Mine with faith and without caviling, they too are freed from actions.
ये त्वेतदभ्यसूयन्तो नानुतिष्ठन्ति मे मतम्। सर्वज्ञानविमूढांस्तान्विद्धि नष्टानचेतसः
ಯೇ ತ್ವೇತದಭ್ಯಸೂಯನ್ತೋ ನಾನುತಿಷ್ಠನ್ತಿ ಮೇ ಮತಮ್। ಸರ್ವಜ್ಞಾನವಿಮೂಢಾಂಸ್ತಾನ್ವಿದ್ಧಿ ನಷ್ಟಾನಚೇತಸಃ
ye tvetad abhyasūyanto nānutiṣhṭhanti me matam sarva-jñāna-vimūḍhāns tān viddhi naṣhṭān achetasaḥ
📖 Meaning
But those who criticize My teaching and do not practice it, deprived of all knowledge and lacking discernment, know them to be doomed to destruction.
सदृशं चेष्टते स्वस्याः प्रकृतेर्ज्ञानवानपि। प्रकृतिं यान्ति भूतानि निग्रहः किं करिष्यति
ಸದೃಶಂ ಚೇಷ್ಟತೇ ಸ್ವಸ್ಯಾಃ ಪ್ರಕೃತೇರ್ಜ್ಞಾನವಾನಪಿ। ಪ್ರಕೃತಿಂ ಯಾನ್ತಿ ಭೂತಾನಿ ನಿಗ್ರಹಃ ಕಿಂ ಕರಿಷ್ಯತಿ
sadṛiśhaṁ cheṣhṭate svasyāḥ prakṛiter jñānavān api prakṛitiṁ yānti bhūtāni nigrahaḥ kiṁ kariṣhyati
📖 Meaning
Even a wise man acts in accordance with his own nature; beings will follow their nature; what can restraint do?
इन्द्रियस्येन्द्रियस्यार्थे रागद्वेषौ व्यवस्थितौ। तयोर्न वशमागच्छेत्तौ ह्यस्य परिपन्थिनौ
ಇನ್ದ್ರಿಯಸ್ಯೇನ್ದ್ರಿಯಸ್ಯಾರ್ಥೇ ರಾಗದ್ವೇಷೌ ವ್ಯವಸ್ಥಿತೌ। ತಯೋರ್ನ ವಶಮಾಗಚ್ಛೇತ್ತೌ ಹ್ಯಸ್ಯ ಪರಿಪನ್ಥಿನೌ
indriyasyendriyasyārthe rāga-dveṣhau vyavasthitau tayor na vaśham āgachchhet tau hyasya paripanthinau
📖 Meaning
Attachment and aversion for the objects of the senses abide in the senses; let no one come under their sway; for, they are his enemies.
श्रेयान्स्वधर्मो विगुणः परधर्मात्स्वनुष्ठितात्। स्वधर्मे निधनं श्रेयः परधर्मो भयावहः
ಶ್ರೇಯಾನ್ಸ್ವಧರ್ಮೋ ವಿಗುಣಃ ಪರಧರ್ಮಾತ್ಸ್ವನುಷ್ಠಿತಾತ್। ಸ್ವಧರ್ಮೇ ನಿಧನಂ ಶ್ರೇಯಃ ಪರಧರ್ಮೋ ಭಯಾವಹಃ
śhreyān swa-dharmo viguṇaḥ para-dharmāt sv-anuṣhṭhitāt swa-dharme nidhanaṁ śhreyaḥ para-dharmo bhayāvahaḥ
📖 Meaning
Better is one's own duty, though devoid of merit, than the duty of another well discharged. Better is death in one's own duty; the duty of another is fraught with fear.
अर्जुन उवाच अथ केन प्रयुक्तोऽयं पापं चरति पूरुषः। अनिच्छन्नपि वार्ष्णेय बलादिव नियोजितः
ಅರ್ಜುನ ಉವಾಚ ಅಥ ಕೇನ ಪ್ರಯುಕ್ತೋಽಯಂ ಪಾಪಂ ಚರತಿ ಪೂರುಷಃ। ಅನಿಚ್ಛನ್ನಪಿ ವಾರ್ಷ್ಣೇಯ ಬಲಾದಿವ ನಿಯೋಜಿತಃ
arjuna uvācha atha kena prayukto ’yaṁ pāpaṁ charati pūruṣhaḥ anichchhann api vārṣhṇeya balād iva niyojitaḥ
📖 Meaning
Arjuna said, "But what compels man to commit sin, even against his wishes, O Varshneya (Krishna), as if constrained by force?"
श्री भगवानुवाच काम एष क्रोध एष रजोगुणसमुद्भवः। महाशनो महापाप्मा विद्ध्येनमिह वैरिणम्
ಶ್ರೀ ಭಗವಾನುವಾಚ ಕಾಮ ಏಷ ಕ್ರೋಧ ಏಷ ರಜೋಗುಣಸಮುದ್ಭವಃ। ಮಹಾಶನೋ ಮಹಾಪಾಪ್ಮಾ ವಿದ್ಧ್ಯೇನಮಿಹ ವೈರಿಣಮ್
śhrī bhagavān uvācha kāma eṣha krodha eṣha rajo-guṇa-samudbhavaḥ mahāśhano mahā-pāpmā viddhyenam iha vairiṇam
📖 Meaning
The Blessed Lord said, "It is desire and it is anger, both of the quality of Rajas, all-devouring and all-sinful; know this as the foe here in this world."
धूमेनाव्रियते वह्निर्यथाऽऽदर्शो मलेन च। यथोल्बेनावृतो गर्भस्तथा तेनेदमावृतम्
ಧೂಮೇನಾವ್ರಿಯತೇ ವಹ್ನಿರ್ಯಥಾಽಽದರ್ಶೋ ಮಲೇನ ಚ। ಯಥೋಲ್ಬೇನಾವೃತೋ ಗರ್ಭಸ್ತಥಾ ತೇನೇದಮಾವೃತಮ್
dhūmenāvriyate vahnir yathādarśho malena cha yatholbenāvṛito garbhas tathā tenedam āvṛitam
📖 Meaning
As fire is enveloped by smoke, as a mirror is covered by dust, and as an embryo is surrounded by the amniotic sac, so is this enveloped by that.
आवृतं ज्ञानमेतेन ज्ञानिनो नित्यवैरिणा। कामरूपेण कौन्तेय दुष्पूरेणानलेन च
ಆವೃತಂ ಜ್ಞಾನಮೇತೇನ ಜ್ಞಾನಿನೋ ನಿತ್ಯವೈರಿಣಾ। ಕಾಮರೂಪೇಣ ಕೌನ್ತೇಯ ದುಷ್ಪೂರೇಣಾನಲೇನ ಚ
āvṛitaṁ jñānam etena jñānino nitya-vairiṇā kāma-rūpeṇa kaunteya duṣhpūreṇānalena cha
📖 Meaning
O Arjuna, wisdom is enveloped by this constant enemy of the wise, in the form of desire, which is insatiable like fire.
इन्द्रियाणि मनो बुद्धिरस्याधिष्ठानमुच्यते। एतैर्विमोहयत्येष ज्ञानमावृत्य देहिनम्
ಇನ್ದ್ರಿಯಾಣಿ ಮನೋ ಬುದ್ಧಿರಸ್ಯಾಧಿಷ್ಠಾನಮುಚ್ಯತೇ। ಏತೈರ್ವಿಮೋಹಯತ್ಯೇಷ ಜ್ಞಾನಮಾವೃತ್ಯ ದೇಹಿನಮ್
indriyāṇi mano buddhir asyādhiṣhṭhānam uchyate etair vimohayatyeṣha jñānam āvṛitya dehinam
📖 Meaning
The senses, the mind, and the intellect are said to be its seat; through these, it deludes the embodied one, veiling their wisdom.
तस्मात्त्वमिन्द्रियाण्यादौ नियम्य भरतर्षभ। पाप्मानं प्रजहि ह्येनं ज्ञानविज्ञाननाशनम्
ತಸ್ಮಾತ್ತ್ವಮಿನ್ದ್ರಿಯಾಣ್ಯಾದೌ ನಿಯಮ್ಯ ಭರತರ್ಷಭ। ಪಾಪ್ಮಾನಂ ಪ್ರಜಹಿ ಹ್ಯೇನಂ ಜ್ಞಾನವಿಜ್ಞಾನನಾಶನಮ್
tasmāt tvam indriyāṇyādau niyamya bharatarṣhabha pāpmānaṁ prajahi hyenaṁ jñāna-vijñāna-nāśhanam
📖 Meaning
Therefore, O best of the Bharatas, control your senses first and then kill this sinful thing, which destroys knowledge and realization.
इन्द्रियाणि पराण्याहुरिन्द्रियेभ्यः परं मनः। मनसस्तु परा बुद्धिर्यो बुद्धेः परतस्तु सः
ಇನ್ದ್ರಿಯಾಣಿ ಪರಾಣ್ಯಾಹುರಿನ್ದ್ರಿಯೇಭ್ಯಃ ಪರಂ ಮನಃ। ಮನಸಸ್ತು ಪರಾ ಬುದ್ಧಿರ್ಯೋ ಬುದ್ಧೇಃ ಪರತಸ್ತು ಸಃ
indriyāṇi parāṇyāhur indriyebhyaḥ paraṁ manaḥ manasas tu parā buddhir yo buddheḥ paratas tu saḥ
📖 Meaning
They say that the senses are superior to the body; the mind is superior to the senses; the intellect is superior to the mind; and He (the Self) is superior even to the intellect.
एवं बुद्धेः परं बुद्ध्वा संस्तभ्यात्मानमात्मना। जहि शत्रुं महाबाहो कामरूपं दुरासदम्
ಏವಂ ಬುದ್ಧೇಃ ಪರಂ ಬುದ್ಧ್ವಾ ಸಂಸ್ತಭ್ಯಾತ್ಮಾನಮಾತ್ಮನಾ। ಜಹಿ ಶತ್ರುಂ ಮಹಾಬಾಹೋ ಕಾಮರೂಪಂ ದುರಾಸದಮ್
evaṁ buddheḥ paraṁ buddhvā sanstabhyātmānam ātmanā jahi śhatruṁ mahā-bāho kāma-rūpaṁ durāsadam
📖 Meaning
Thus, knowing Him who is superior to the intellect and restraining the self by the Self, slay thou, O mighty-armed Arjuna, the enemy in the form of desire, hard to conquer.
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