Bhagavad Gita Chapter 3 Verses

Gita Chapter 3 Verse 1

(Arjun uvaach)

Jyaayasi, chet’, karmanH, te, mta, buddhiH, janardan,
Tat’, kim’, karmani, ghorey, mam’, niyojayasi, keshav ||1||

(Arjun said)

Translation: (Janardan) Oh Janardan! (chet’) if (te) you (karmanH) in relation to action (buddhiH) knowledge given by Taatavdarshi (jyaayasi) superior (mta) accepted (tat’) then (Keshav) Oh Keshav! (mam’) me, sitting in one place, restraining senses, keeping neck and head straight – described in Gita Gita Chapter 6 Verse 10 to 15 (ghorey) and fighting like terrible (karmani) inferior act (kim’) why (niyojayasi) engage in. (1)

Translation: Oh Janardan! If you accept the knowledge given by Tatvdarshi as superior in relation to action, then Oh Keshav! Why do you engage me in this terrible and inferior act of fighting and restraining senses by sitting in one place keeping neck and head straight as described in Gita Gita Chapter 6 Verse 10 to 15?

Gita Chapter 3 Verse 2

Vyamishren, iv, vaakyen, buddhim’, mohyasi, iv, me,
Tat’, ekam’, vad, nishchitya, yen, shreyH, aham’, aapnuyaam’ ||2||

Translation: (vyamishren, iv) these kinds of mixed i.e. contradictory (vaakyen) statements (me) my (buddhim’) mind (mohyasi, iv) are confusing, therefore (tat’) that (ekam’) one thing (nishchitya) with conviction (vad) tell (yen) by which (aham’) I (shreyH) well-being (aapnuyaam’) shall attain. (2)

Translation: These kinds of contradictory statements are confusing my mind. Therefore, tell me with conviction that one thing by which I shall attain well-being.

Gita Chapter 3 Verse 3

(Shri Bhagwan uvaach)

Loke, asmin’, dwividha, nishtha, pura, prokta, mya, anagh,
Gyanyogen, saankhyaanaam’, karmyogen, yoginaam’ ||3||

(Shri God said)

Translation: (Anagh) Oh innocent! (asmin’) this (loke) in world/lok (dwividha) of two types (nishtha) faith (mya) by me (pura) earlier (prokta) have been explained; out of them (saankhyaanaam’) the faith of the knowledgeable persons is (gyanyogen) in Gyanyog i.e. in the conclusion of the way of worship drawn by one’s own wisdom and (yoginaam’) the faith of the yogis (karmyogen) in Karmyog i.e. in doing sadhna[1] alongside performing worldly tasks. (3)

Translation: Oh innocent! Two types of faiths have been explained earlier by me in this world. Out of them, the faith of the (Gyanis) knowledgeable persons is in Gyanyog i.e. in the conclusion of the way of worship drawn by one’s own wisdom, and the faith of the yogis is in Karmyog i.e. in doing sadhna besides performing the worldly tasks.

Gita Chapter 3 Verse 4

Na, karmnaam’, anaarambhaat’, naishkarmyam’, purushH, ashnute,
Na, ch, sannysnaat’, ev, siddhim’, samdhigachchhati ||4||

Translation: (Na) neither (karmnaam’) of actions (anaarambhaat’) without commencing (nishkarmyam’) the scripture-based way of worship mentioned in the holy scriptures, which when done besides performing worldly actions, makes one attain complete salvation, that state i.e. (PurushH) God (ashnute) is attained. For example, if someone has to harvest an acre of wheat crop, then it will only get cut after having initiated the process of harvesting. Then, the act of harvesting does not remain, (ch) and (ev) therefore (sannysnaat’) by mere renunciation of actions by sitting in a special seat in one place, abandoning worldly actions, through hathyog[2] (siddhim’) siddhi/supernatural power (na samdhigachchhati) is not attained. (4)

Translation: God i.e. the complete salvation, which is achieved by following the scripture-based way of worship mentioned in the Holy Scriptures along with the performance of worldly tasks, is not attained without commencing the actions. For example, if someone has to harvest an acre of wheat crop, then it will only get cut after having initiated the process of harvesting. Then, the act of harvesting does not remain, and therefore by mere renunciation of actions and sitting in a special seat in one place through hathyog, siddhi/supernatural power is not attained.

Gita Chapter 3 Verse 5

Na, hi, kashchit’, kshanam’, api, jaatu, tishthti, akarmkrit’,
Kaaryte, hi, avashH, karm, sarvH, prakritijaiH, gunaiH ||5||

Translation: (Hi) undoubtedly (kashchit’) nobody (jaatu) at any time (kshanam’) for a moment (api) even (akarmkrit’) without performing action (na) not (tishthti) remains (hi) because (sarvH) whole mankind (prakritijaiH) produced by Prakriti i.e. Durga (gunaiH) by Gunas – Rajgun Brahma, Satgun Vishnu, Tamgun Shiv Ji (avashH) overpowered (karmH) to perform actions (karyte) is bound. (5)

Translation: Undoubtedly, nobody remains without performing action even for a moment at any time. Because the whole mankind, overpowered by the Gunas – Rajgun Brahma, Satgun Vishnu, and Tamgun Shiv Ji produced by Prakriti i.e. Durga, is bound to perform actions. (Its evidence is also in Gita Chapter 14 Verse 3-5)

Gita Chapter 3 Verse 6

Karmendriyani, sanyamya, yaH, aaste, mansa, smaran’,
Indriyarthan’, vimoodatma, mithyacharH, saH, uchyate ||6||

Translation: (YaH) that, who (vimoodatma) extremely foolish person (karmendriyani) forcefully, all senses of actions, outwardly (sanyamya) restraining (mansa) by mind/ internally (indriyarthan’) the sense objects of those senses of knowledge (smaran’) broods over (aaste) keeps (saH) he (mithyacharH) deceitful person i.e. hypocrite (uchyate) is said to be. (6)

Translation: That extremely foolish person, who by outwardly forcefully restraining all senses of actions, internally keeps brooding over the sense objects of those senses of knowledge, he is said to be a deceitful person i.e. a hypocrite. (Its detailed description is given in Gita Gita Chapter 17 Verse 19)

Gita Chapter 3 Verse 7

YaH, tu, indriyani, mansa, niyamya, aarabhte, Arjun,
KarmendriyaiH, karmyogam’, asaktH, saH, vishishyate ||7||

Translation: (Tu) but (Arjun) Oh Arjun! (yaH) a person who (mansa) by mind/internally (indriyani) of senses (niyamya) by bringing under control (asaktH) unattracted (karmendriyaiH) by all the senses of actions (karmyogam’) Karmyog i.e. act of bhakti in accordance with the injunctions of scriptures done along with performance of worldly tasks (aarabhte) follows (saH) only he (vishishyate) is superior. (7)

Translation: But Oh Arjun! A person, who by bringing the senses under control internally, being unattracted, follows karmyog i.e. the act of bhakti in accordance with the injunctions of scriptures done simultaneously with the performance of worldly tasks, only he is superior.

Important: - The above-mentioned not-to-be-done hathyog (forceful way of worship) has been recommended in Gita Gita Chapter 6 Verse 10 to 15. Therefore, Arjun is saying in this Gita Chapter 3 Verse 2 that your contradictory statements are confusing me.

Gita Chapter 3 Verse 8

Niyatam’, kuru, karm, tvam’, karm, jyayH, hi, akarmanH,
Shareeryatra, api, ch, te, na, prsiddhyet’, akarmanH ||8||

Translation: (Tvam’) you (niyatam’) according to the injunctions of the scriptures (karm) actions (kuru) perform (hi) because (akarmanH) compared to inaction i.e. sitting in a solitary place on a special seat made of kush[3], forcefully doing bhakti (karm) performance of act of bhakti while doing worldly tasks (jyayH) is superior (ch) and (akarmanH) by not doing action i.e., by doing hathyog if you will forcefully keep sitting in a solitary place, then (te) your (shareeryatra) maintenance of body and your family (api) also (na) not (prsiddhyet’) would be possible. (8)

Translation: You should perform actions in accordance with the injunctions of the scriptures because compared to inaction i.e. compared to forcefully doing bhakti sitting in a solitary place on a special seat made of kush, doing bhakti while performing worldly tasks is superior, and by not doing action i.e. by doing hathyog, if you will keep sitting in a solitary place, then the maintainance of your body and family will also not be possible.

Gita Chapter 3 Verse 9

Yagyarthat’, karmanH, anyatr, lokH, ayam’, karmbandhanH,
Tadartham’, karm, kauntey, muktsangH, smaachar ||9||

Translation: (Yagyarthat’) for the sake of yagya i.e. religious ceremonies (karmanH) instead of the scripture-based actions (anyatr) abandoning the injunctions of the scriptures, engaged in other actions only (ayam’) this (lokH) in world (karmbandhanH) gets bound to actions i.e. undergoes torture in the 84 lakh births. Therefore (kauntey) Oh Arjun! You (muktsangH) becoming free from attachment (tadartham’) for the sake of that scripture-based yagya only, properly (karm) those scripture-based acts of bhakti which are worthy of being done i.e. kartavyakarm/ moral duties (smaachar) along with the worldly actions, do sadhna in accordance with the scriptures i.e. according to the rules. (9)

Translation: In this world, only he gets bound to actions i.e. undergoes torture in the 84-lakh births, who, abandoning the injunctions of the scriptures, is engaged in other actions instead of the scripture-based actions done for the sake of yagya i.e. religious ceremonies. Therefore oh Arjun! Becoming free from attachment, you should properly do scripture-based acts of bhakti worthy of being done i.e. kartavyakarm[4] for the sake of that scripture-based yagya[5] while performing the worldly actions; which means, do sadhna in accordance with the scriptures i.e. according to the rules.

Important: - In the above-mentioned Gita Gita Chapter 3 Verse 6 to 9, it has been forbidden to do Hath (forcefully meditate) by sitting in a lonely place on a special seat closing ears-eyes, and to do sadhna according to the way of bhakti mentioned in the scriptures is said to be meritorious.

In every true (holy) scripture, the rule of bhakti described is to do naam jaap and yagya etc while performing worldly tasks.

Evidence: - It is said in holy Gita Gita Chapter 8 Verse 13 that there is only one ‘Om’ word for remembering (sumiran) me, Brahm, by uttering. One who does jaap of this unto the last breath while performing actions attains my kind of supreme salvation.

Then, in Gita Chapter 8 Verse 7, it is said that remember me all the time (do my sumiran) and also fight. Thus, by following my orders i.e. by doing sadhna while performing worldly actions, you will come to me. Although, has described his supreme salvation in Gita Gita Chapter 7 mantra 18 as very inferior i.e utterly useless. Still, the way of bhakti is this alone.

Then, in Gita Chapter 8 Verse 8 to 10, it has been mentioned that whether you may do bhakti of that God i.e. Purna Brahm, whose description is given in Gita Gita Chapter 17 Verse 23, Gita Chapter 18 Verse 62 and Gita Chapter 15 Verse 1 to 4, its rule is also the same that a devotee who by doing sadhna of Purna Parmatma after taking updesh from a Tatvdarshi saint dies while doing naam jaap and worldly actions, he goes to that Supreme Divine Purush i.e. Purna Parmatma only. The indication of a Tatvdarshi saint is given in Gita Gita Chapter 4 Verse 34.

This same evidence is also given in Holy Yajurved Gita Chapter 40 Mantra 10 and 15.

The meaning of Yajurved Gita Chapter 40 Mantra 10: - The narrator of Holy Vedas, Brahm, is saying that regarding Purna Parmatma, someone says that He takes birth as an incarnation i.e. is said to be in form, and someone mentions Him as never appearing in form as an incarnation i.e. mentions Him as formless. Only a Dheeranam’ i.e. a Tatvdarshi saint will deliver the Tatvgyan, the true spiritual knowledge of that Purna Parmatma that, in reality, what is the body of Purna Parmatma like? How does He appear? Listen to the complete information about the Purna Parmatma from that Dheeranam’ i.e. Tatvdarshi saint. I, Brahm, the giver of the knowedge of Ved, also do not know.

Nevertheless, while explaining his way of bhakti, has said in Gita Chapter 40 mantra 15 that do my worship, jaap of ‘Om’ naam while doing actions, do my sumiran[6] with exceptional faith and considering it as human life’s main duty. By doing so, after death i.e. after leaving this body, you will attain my kind of amratv i.e. my supreme destination. Like, the immaterial body gains some power; it becomes immortal for some time. As a result of which it goes to heaven. Then it goes in the cycle of birth and death.

Gita Chapter 3 Verse 10

SahyagyaH, prjaH, srshtva, pura, uvaach, prjapatiH,
Anen, prsvishyadhvm’, eshH, vaH, astu, ishtkamdhuk’ ||10||

Translation: (PrjapatiH) Prjapati, the Lord of all beings (pura) in the beginning of creation (sahyagyaH) along with yagya (prjaH) all beings (srshtva) creating (uvaach) said that (anen) the religious act performed with food grain, which is known as Dharmyagya, in which a common meal is provided etc, by this yagya (prsvishyadhvam’) attain prosperity and (vaH) to you (eshH) this Purna Parmatma/ Supreme God (ishtkamdhuk’) the God situated in yagya only, giver of desired pleasures (astu) be. (10)

Translation: Prjapati, the lord of all beings, in the beginning of creation after creating all beings along with yagya, said to them that you may prosper from the yagya (religious acts) performed with food grain which is known as Dharmyagya, in which a common meal is provided etc, and may this Supreme God only, situated in yagya, be the giver of desired pleasures to you.

Gita Chapter 3 Verse 11

Devaan’, bhaavyat, anen, te, devaH, bhavyantu, vaH,
Parasparam’, bhaavyantH, shreyH, param’, avaapsyath ||11||

Important: - In Gita Gita Chapter 15 Verse 1-4, there is description of the upside-down hanging world-like tree. Its root (base) is the Purna Parmatma (Supreme God) and trunk is ParBrahm i.e. Akshar Purush and a bigger branch is Kshar Purush (Brahm), and smaller branches are the three gunas, Rajgun-Brahma Ji, Satgun-Vishnu Ji, and Tamgun-Shiv Ji. The tree receives its nourishment from the base (roots) only. Like, if we will plant a seedling of mango, then we will water the roots; from the roots, the nourishment will go to the trunk; from trunk to bigger branch; from the bigger branch to smaller branches, and then those smaller branches will bear fruits and those branches will themselves give us fruits. Similarly, by worshipping i.e. watering the Purna Brahm i.e. Param Akshar Brahm-like roots, the sanskar (impressions of nurture) i.e. the nourishment will go to Akshar Purush i.e. ParBrahm-like trunk; then from Akshar Purush, the sanskar i.e. nourishment will go to Kshar Purush i.e. Brahm-like bigger branch. Then from Brahm, the sanskar i.e. the nourishment will go to the three gunas i.e. Rajgun-Brahma Ji, Satgun-Vishnu Ji and Tamgun-Shiv Ji-like three smaller branches. Then these three gods-like smaller branches will bear fruits i.e. then the three gods, Shri Brahma Ji, Shri Vishnu Ji, and Shri Shiv Ji give us the fruits of our actions based on our sanskar (impressions of deeds done in the previous birth). This evidence is also given in Gita Gita Chapter 15 Verse 16 and 17 that there are two gods in this lok of Earth; one is Kshar Purush i.e. Brahm and the other is Akshar Purush i.e. ParBrahm. Both these gods and all the living beings in their loks are perishable, in reality, the immortal God (Parmeshwar-Parmatma), who enters the three loks and sustains everyone, is different from the above-mentioned two gods. Please see the picture of the upright sowed plant of bhakti.

Translation: (Anen) through this yagya (devaan’) gods i.e. branches (bhaavyat) prosper and (te) those (devaH) gods i.e. branches (vaH) you people (bhaavyantu) may prosper i.e. may provide the fruits based on sanskaar {impressions of deeds done in the previous birth}. Thus with selflessness (parasparam’) each other (bhavyantH) prospering (param’) supreme (shreyH) auspiciousness (avapsyath) will attain. (11)

Translation: Through this yagya, prosper the gods i.e. branches and those gods i.e. branches may prosper you people i.e. may provide you fruits based on sanskaar. Thus selflessly prospering each other, you will attain the supreme auspiciousness.

Gita Chapter 3 Verse 12

Ishtaan’, bhogaan’, hi, vaH, devaH, daasyante, yagyabhaavitaH,
TaiH, dattaan’, aprdaay, ebhyaH, yaH, bhunkte, stenH, ev, saH ||12||

Translation: (Hi) because (ishtaan’) the God situated in those yagyas i.e Purna Parmatma (bhogaan’) the pleasures received as a result of offering food (vaH) to you (yagyabhaavitaH) pleased by yagya (devaH) gods (daasyante) will keep giving its reward (taiH) by them (dattaan’) given, material pleasures (yaH) he who (ebhyaH) them (aprdaay) without offering i.e. without doing yagya, charity etc (bhukte) himself consumes it (saH) he (ev) in reality (stenH) is a thief. (12)

Translation: Because of offering food to the God situated in those yagyas i.e. to the Purna Parmatma, the gods pleased by the yagya will keep giving its reward in the form of pleasures. He, who without offering the material pleasures given by them i.e. without doing yagya, charity etc, himself consumes it, is a thief in reality.

Gita Chapter 3 Verse 13

YagyashishtashinH, santH, muchyante, sarvkilbishaiH,
Bhunjte, te, tu, agham’, papaH, ye, pachanti, aatmkaarnaat’ ||13||

Translation: (YagyashishtashinH) those who eat the Prasaad after having offered to the God situated in yagya i.e to the Purna Parmatma (santH) sages (sarvkilbishaiH) all the sins as a result of not doing any yagyas etc (muchyante) are saved from and (ye) who (papaH) sinful people (aatmkaarnaat’) to nourish their bodies (pachanti) cook food (te) they (tu) certainly (agham’) sin only (bhunjte) eat. (13)

Translation: Sages, who eat the Prasaad after having it offered to the God situated in the yagya i.e to the Purna Parmatma, are saved from all the sins resulting from not doing yagyas etc, and those sinful people who cook food only to nourish their bodies, they certainly eat sin only.

Gita Chapter 3 Verse 14-15

Annaat’, bhavanti, bhootaani, parjanyaat’, annsambhavH,
Yagyaat’, bhavti, parjanyaH, yagyaH, karmsamud’bhavH ||14||

Karm, brahmod’bhavam’, viddhi, Brahm, aksharsamud’bhavam’,
Tasmaat’, sarvgatam’, Brahm, nityam’, yagye, prtishthitam’ ||15||

Translation: (Bhootaani) Living beings (annaat’) food grain (bhavanti) arise from (annsambhavH) food grain arises (parjanyaat’) from rain (parjanyaH) rain (yagyaat’) from yagya (bhavti) arises (yagyaH) yagya (karmsamud’bhavH) originates from prescribed actions (karm) action, you (brahmod’bhavam’) arising from Brahm and (Brahm) Brahm i.e. Kshar Purush (aksharsamud’bhavam’) arisen from the Eternal God (viddhi) know (tasmaat’) it has been proved from this that (sarvgatam’) All-pervading (Brahm) God (nityam’) always (yagye) in yagya (prtishthitam’) is situated i.e. after accepting the partake of yagya, the giver of fruits is also that Purna Brahm only. (Its evidence is also in holy Gita Gita Chapter 4 Verse 13 that on the basis of gunas, by attaching actions, four varnas (castes) have been formed and it is me, Brahm only, who attaches the actions. (14-15)

Translation: Living beings arise from food grain, food grain arises from rain, rain arises from yagya, and yagya originates from prescribed actions. Consider the actions to be arising from Brahm, and Brahm i.e. Kshar Purush arising from the Eternal God. It has been proved from this that the All-pervading God is always situated in yagyas i.e. after accepting the partake of yagya, the giver of fruits is also that Purna Brahm only. (Its evidence is also in holy Gita Gita Chapter 4 Verse 13 that on the basis of gunas, by attaching actions, four varnas (castes) have been formed, and it is me, Brahm alone, who attaches the actions.

Gita Chapter 3 Verse 16

Evam’, prvartitam’, chakrm’, na, anuvartyati, ih, yaH,
AghaayuH, indriyaaraamH, mogham’, paarth, saH, jeevti ||16||

Translation: (Paarth) Oh Paarth! (yaH) one who (ih) in this world (evam’) thus, by tradition (prvartitam’) prevalent (chakrm’) wheel of nature (na, anuvartayati) does not act according to it i.e. does not perform his duties (saH) that (indriyaaraamH) enjoying the worldly pleasures through senses (aghaayuH) sinful person (mogham’) only in vain (jeevti) is alive. (16)

Translation: Oh Paarth! In this world, one who does not act according to the wheel of nature thus prevalent by tradition i.e. who does not perform his duties, that sinful person, who enjoys the worldly pleasures through senses, is alive only in vain.

Gita Chapter 3 Verse 17

YaH, tu, aatmratiH, ev, syaat’, aatmtrptH, ch, maanavH,
Aatmni, ev, ch, santushtH, tasya, kaaryam’, na, vidhyate ||17||

Translation: (Tu) but (yaH) that (maanavH) man (ev) in reality (aatmaratiH) one who is happy engrossed in the God living in an inseparable form with the soul (ch) and (aatmtrptH) satisfied in the God only (ch) and (aatmni ev) in the God only (santushtH) contented (syaat’) is, (tasya) for him (karyam’) any duty (na) not (vidhyte) seems to be. (17)

Translation: But that man, who in reality is happy engrossed in the God living in an inseparable form with the soul, and is satisfied in the God alone and is contented with the God only, for him there does not seem to be any duty.

Gita Chapter 3 Verse 18

Na, ev, tasya, krten, arthH, na, akrten, ih, kashchan,
Na, ch, asya, sarvbhooteshu, kashchit’, arthvypashryaH ||18||

Translation: (Tasya) that greatman’s (ih) in this world (na) neither (krten) in the performance of action (kashchan) any (arthH) there is interest and (na) nor (akrten) in non-performance of actions (ev) only, is there any interest (ch) and (sarvbhooteshu) in all living beings also (asya) his (kashchit’) even a little (arthvypashryaH) relation of self-interest (na) there is no. (18)

Translation: In this world, neither that great man has any interest in the performance of action, nor only has any interest in the non-performance of actions, and also he does not even have a little interest in all the living beings. Because he, being free from self-interest, does not make anyone do worship which is not in accordance with the scriptures, nor himself does it. Neither does he do sadhna with the aim of making money, nor makes others do it.

Gita Chapter 3 Verse 19

Tasmaat’, asaktH, sattam’, kaaryam’, karm, smaachar,
AsaktH, hi, aachran’, karm, param’, aapnoti, poorushH ||19||

Translation: (Tasmaat’) Therefore you (sttam’) always (asaktH) free from attachment (kaaryam’ karm) prescribed duties according to the injunctions of scriptures (smaachar) adequately, keep performing (hi) because (asaktH) being free from desires (karm) acts of bhakti (aachran’) doing (param’ poorushH) Purna Parmatma/ Supreme God (aapnoti) attains. (19)

Translation: Therefore becoming free from attachment, always keep performing your prescribed duties adequately in accordance with the injunctions of the scriptures because by doing acts of bhakti after becoming free from desires, you will attain the Supreme God.

Gita Chapter 3 Verse 20

Karmna, ev, hi, sansiddhim’, aasthitaH, jankaadayH,
Loksangrham’, ev, api, sampashyan’, kartum’, arhasi ||20||

Translation: (JankaadayH) Janak etc also (karmna) through actions devoid of attachment (ev) only (sansiddhim’) supreme spiritual success (aasthitaH) attained (hi) therefore (loksangrham’) for the welfare of the world (sampashyan’) keeping in view (api) also (kartum’) besides performing worldly tasks, performing actions according to the scriptures (ev) only (arhasi) should do i.e. it is better for you to do karm. (20)

Translation: Janak etc also attained supreme spiritual success only through actions devoid of attachment. For this reason and also keeping in view the welfare of the world you should do actions according to the scriptures besides performing the worldly tasks i.e. it is better for you to do karm[7].

Gita Chapter 3 Verse 21

Yat’, yat’, aacharti, shreshthH, tat’, tat’, ev, itarH, janH,
SaH, yat’, prmaanam’, kurute, lokH, tat’, anuvartte ||21||

Translation: (ShreshthH) A great man i.e. a devotee who does sadhna[8] according to the injunctions of the scriptures (yat’, yat’) whatever (aacharti) behaves/does (itarH) other (janH) men also (tat’, tat’) same (ev) do (saH) he (yat’) whatever (prmaanam’) standards (kurute) does/sets (lokH) all the people (tat’) it (anuvartte) start acting accordingly. (21)

Translation: Whatever a great man, i.e. a devotee who does sadhna according to the injunctions of the scriptures does, other men also do the same. Whatever standards he sets, all the people start following it.

Gita Chapter 3 Verse 22

Na, me, paarth, asti, kartavyam’, trishu, lokeshu, kinchan,
Na, anvaaptm’, avaaptvyam’, varte, ev, ch, karmni ||22||

Translation: (Paarth) Oh Arjun! (me) I (trishu) three (lokeshu) in loks/worlds (na) neither (kinchan) any (kartvyam’) duty (asti) have (ch) and (na) nor any (avaaptvyam’) obtainable thing (anvaaptm’) have not got; yet I (karmni) in action (ev) only (varte) engage. (22)

Translation: Oh Arjun! Neither have I any duty in these three worlds, nor have I not attained any obtainable thing; yet I engage in action only.

Gita Chapter 3 Verse 23

Yadi, hi, aham’, na, varteym’, jaatu, karmni, atandritH,
Mm, vartm, anuvartante, manushyaH, Paarth, sarvashH ||23||

Translation: (Hi) Because (Paarth) Oh Paarth! (yadi) if (jaatu) ever (aham’) I (atandritH) carefully (karmni) in actions (na) not (varteym’) engage then there can be a lot of damage because (manushyaH) human beings (sarvashH) in all respects (mm) my (vartm) path (anuvartante) follow. (23)

Translation: Because oh Paarth! If ever I not engage carefully in actions, then there can be a lot of damage because human beings follow my path in all respects.

Gita Chapter 3 Verse 24

UtseedeyuH, ime, lokaH, na, kuryaam’, karm, chet’, aham’,
Sankarasya, ch, karta, syaam’, uphanyaam’, imaH, prjaH ||24||

Translation: (Chet’) If (aham’) I (karm) action (na) not (kuryaam’) perform then (ime) these (lokaH) all human beings (utseedeyuH) will become utterly destroyed (ch) and I (sankarsya) mixed caste (karta) doer/cause (syaam’) be and (imaH) this (prjaH) all people (uphanyaam’) will be the destroyer. (24)

Translation: If I do not perform action then all these human beings will become utterly destroyed, and I will be the cause of mixed castes (produced from union of a man and a woman of different castes) and will be the destroyer of all these people.

Gita Chapter 3 Verse 25

SaktaH, karmni, avidvaansH, yatha, kurvanti, bharat,
Kuryaat’, vidwaan’, tatha, asaktH, chikeershuH, loksangrham’ ||25||

Translation: (Bharat) Oh Bharat! (karmni) in action (saktaH) attached/engrossed (avidvaansH) ignorant persons (yatha) as scripture-based actions (kurvanti) act/do (asaktH) free from attachment (vidwaan’) wise man also (loksangrham’) with the desire of making disciples, to gather people (chikeershuH) wanting to (tatha) above-mentioned action in accordance with the ordinances of the scriptures (kuryaat’) perform/do. (25)

Translation: Oh Bharat! As the ignorant persons attached to actions perform scripture-based actions, a wise man free from attachment should also perform the above-mentioned actions in accordance with the ordinances of the scriptures with the desire of making disciples wanting to gather people.

Meaning: God is saying that if uneducated people do sadhna according to the scriptures, then educated people should also follow that. This only will lead to the welfare of the world.

Gita Chapter 3 Verse 26

Na, buddhibhedam’, janyet’, agyaanaam’, karmsanginaam’,
Joshyet’, sarvkarmani, vidwaan’, yuktH, smaacharan’ ||26||

Translation: (Karmsanginaam’) from the knowledge given by the worshippers whose sadhna is based on scriptures, firm on scripture-based acts of bhakti (agyaanaam’) uneducated i.e. ignorant persons’ (buddhibhedam’) sadhnas; harm from sadhna opposite to scriptures and benefit from scripture-based sadhna; seeing this clearly, change in their mind (na, janyet’) does not arise i.e. does not confuse them that you are uneducated, what do you know about the true way of worship. Out of their ego, not misleading them, other opposite to scriptures (yuktH) engrossed in sadhna (vidwaan’) a knowledgeable person should (sarvkarmani) acts of bhakti (smaacharan’) doing aapropriately, also make them do the same (joshyet’) do i.e. instead of misleading them, encourage them. (26)

Translation: Seeing clearly that there is harm from sadhna opposite to scriptures and benefit from scripture-based sadhna, (a knowledgeable person) should not cause change i.e. should not confuse the uneducated i.e. ignorant people firm on the scripture-based acts of bhakti based on the knowledge given by scripture-based worshippers, saying that you are uneducated, what do you know about the true way of worship. A knowledgeable person engrossed in other sadhna opposite to the scriptures should not confuse them out of his ego and while himself doing the acts of bhakti properly should also make them do it i.e. instead of misleading them should encourage them.

Gita Chapter 3 Verse 27

PrkrteH, kriymaanaani, gunaiH, karmaani, sarvashH,
Ahankaarvimoodaatma, karta, aham’, iti, manyate ||27||

Translation: (Karmaani) all actions (sarvashH) in all respects (prkrteH) produced from Prakriti-Durga (gunaeH) by the three gunas i.e. Rajgun Brahma, Satgun Vishnu, Tamgun Shiv Ji (kriymaanaani) are performed based on sanskaars (ahankaar vimoodaatma) although educated, possessing ego, devoid of Tatvgyan an ignorant person (aham’, karta) “I am the doer” (iti) this (manyate) thinks. (27)

Translation: All the actions are performed in all respects by the three gunas i.e. Rajgun Brahma, Satgun Vishnu, Tamgun Shiv Ji, produced from Prakriti -Durga, on the basis of sanskaars; although educated, devoid of Tatvgyan an ignorant person possessing ego thinks this – “I am the doer”.

Gita Chapter 3 Verse 28

Tatvvit’, tu, mahabaho, gunkarmvibhaagyoH,
GunaH, guneshu, vartante, iti, matva, na, sajjte ||28||

Translation: (tu) But (mahabaho) Oh great armed! (gunkarmvibhagyoH) respective spheres of gunas and karmas/actions (tatvvit’) a knowledgeable person who knows the truth i.e. Tatvdarshi (gunaH) all the gunas only (guneshu) in the gunas (vartante) are acting i.e. whatever powers the three gunas – Rajgun Brahma ji, Satgun Vishnu ji, Tamgun Shiv ji have, a person who is completely familiar with this has this much faith left in these. Its evidence is also given in Gita Gita Chapter 2 Verse 45-46. (iti) this (matva) on understanding (na, sajjte) does not get attracted to them i.e. giving up ego, immediately starts doing scripture-based way of worship. (28)

Translation: But Oh Great-Armed! A knowledgeable person who knows the truth about the respective spheres of gunas and actions i.e. a Tatvdarshi, after understanding this that all the gunas (??the three qualities, Rajgun, Satgun, Tamgun) only are acting in the gunas (the three Gods), does not get attracted to them. In other words, whatever powers the three gunas – Rajgun Brahma ji, Satgun Vishnu ji, Tamgun Shiv ji have, a person who becomes completely familiar with this has this much faith left in these. (Its evidence is also given in Gita Gita Chapter 2 Verse 45-46.) Giving up ego, he immediately starts doing scripture-based way of worship.

Gita Chapter 3 Verse 29

PrkrteH, gunsammoodaH, sajjante, gunkarmsu,
Taan’, akrtsannvidH, mandaan’, krtsannvit’, na, vichaalyet’ ||29||

Translation: (PrkrteH) the three sons of Prakriti born of Prakriti (gunsammoodaH) foolish persons extremely deluded by the gunas i.e. Rajgun Brahma Ji, Satgun Vishnu Ji, Tamgun Shiv Ji (gunkarmsu) in the acts of sadhna of the gunas i.e. the three gods (sajjante) remain engrossed (taan’) those (akrtsannvidH) who do not fully understand i.e. who do sadhna relinquishing the scripture-based way of worship, who are following their impulse, those (mandaan’) dim-witted uneducated people (krtsannvit’) the knowledgeable person who knows the true bhakti i.e. one who does scripture-based sadhna (na, vichaalyet’) the dim-witted ignorants who by nature are firm on the sadhna of the three gunas i.e. Shri Brahma Ji, Shri Vishnu Ji and Shri Shiv Ji, can not deviate them from their wrong way of worship, i.e. it is very difficult to deviate them; they are surely ruined. Its evidence is also given in Gita Gita Chapter 7 Verse 12 to 15. (29)

Translation: Foolish persons, extremely deluded by the three gunas, the sons of Prakriti born of Prakriti, i.e. Rajgun Brahma Ji, Satgun Vishnu Ji, Tamgun Shiv Ji, remain engrossed in the acts of sadhna of the gunas i.e the three gods. The knowledgeable person who knows the true bhakti i.e. who does scripture-based sadhna can not deviate the dim-witted uneducated people i.e. ignorants, who do not fully understand i.e. who relinquishing the scripture-based way of worship act by nature and are firm on the sadhna of the three gunas i.e. Shri Brahma Ji, Shri Vishnu Ji, Shri Shiv Ji, from their wrong sadhna; they are surely ruined. Its evidence is also given in Gita Gita Chapter 7 Verse 12-15.

Gita Chapter 3 Verse 30

Myi, sarvaani, karmaani, sannyasya, adhyatmchetsa,
NiraashiH, nirmmH, bhootva, yudhyasv, vigatjvarH ||30||

Translation: (Adhyatmchetsa) with the mind fixed in the Purna Parmatma (sarvaani) all (karmaani) actions (myi) to me (sannyasya) offering (niraashiH) free from desire (nirmmH) free from possessiveness and (vigatjvarH) free from lamentation (bhootva) being (yudhyasv) fight. (30)

Translation: With the mind fixed in the Purna Parmatma, offering all actions to me, being free from desire, possessiveness and lamentation, fight. Its evidence is also given in Gita Gita Chapter 18 Verse 66 that leaving all my religious observances into me, go in the refuge of the Almighty God.

Gita Chapter 3 Verse 31

Ye, me, matam’, idam’, nityam’, anutishthanti, maanvaH,
ShrddhavantH, ansooyantH, muchyante, te, api, karmbhiH ||31||

Translation: (ye) whosoever (maanvaH) men (ansooyantH) free from fault-finding and (shrddhavantH) with faith (me) mine (idam’) this (matam’) opinion i.e. principle (nityam’) always (anutishthanti) follow (te) they (api) also (karmbhiH) from faulty actions done on relinquishing the ordinances of the scriptures i.e. relinquishing the principles (muchyante) are saved. (31)

Translation: Whichever men, free from fault-finding and with faith, always follow this opinion i.e. this principle of mine, they are saved from the faulty actions done on relinquishing the ordinances of the scriptures i.e. relinquishing the principles.

Gita Chapter 3 Verse 32

Ye, tu, etat’, abhyasooyantH, na, anutishthanti, me, matam’,
Sarvgyanvimoodan’, taan’, viddhi, nashtaan’, achetasH ||32||

Translation: (Tu) but (ye) those who (abhyasooyantH) while blaming/attributing fault (me) mine (etat’) this (matam’) opinion i.e. principle (na, anutishthanti) do not follow (taan’) those (achetasH) fools; you (sarvgyanvimoodan’) enamoured in all knowledge and (nashtaan’) destroyed only (viddhi) consider. (32)

Translation: But those who blame and do not follow this opinion i.e. principle of mine, consider those fools to be enamoured in all knowledge and destroyed only.

Important: In Gita Gita Chapter 3 Verse 25 to 29, has given a detailed account of the opinion i.e. principle told by himself. He has expressed his opinion in Gita Chapter 3 Verse 25 to 29 that if an educated person is doing sadhna abandoning the injunctions of the scriptures and he finds an uneducated person doing scripture-based sadhna, then he should not confuse him, rather, should himself also accept his way of worship. After taking initiation from a Complete Saint, should get his welfare done. This evidence is also in Gita Gita Chapter 13 Verse 11.

Gita Chapter 3 Verse 33

Sadrsham’, cheshtte, swasyaH, prkrteH, gyaanvaan’, api,
Prkrtim’, yaanti, bhootaani, nigrhH, kim’, karishyati ||33||

Translation: (Bhootaani) all living beings (prkrtim’) Prakriti i.e. nature (yaanti) attain (gyaanvaan’) knowledgeable persons (api) also (swasyaH)) on the basis of the path of bhakti concluded by them (prkrteH) nature (sadrsham’) according to (cheshtte) endeavours (nigrhH) force/restrain (kim’) what (karishyati) will do? (33)

Translation: All living beings follow their nature. Knowledgeable persons also endeavour according to their nature on the basis of the path of bhakti concluded by them. What will (Hath) restrain accomplish?

Important: All living beings perform religious acts according to their nature. They do not listen when told. Those persons of demoniac character follow baseless i.e. arbitrary practices opposed to my opinion:- evidence in Gita Gita Chapter 16 and 17.

Note: - The purport of Gita Chapter 3 Verse 33, 34, 35 is that all the living beings are under the control of Prakriti (Maya) only. They act according to their nature. Similarly, the knowledgeable persons also act according to their habits, then what will hath (restrain) do.

Gist: - Educated people, who are devoid of Tatvgyan (True spiritual knowledge), do not leave their wrong way of worship no matter how much they are requested. Even if evidences from the true scriptures are shown, they do not agree. Some knowledgeable- learned men out of pride with the desire of making money and making more disciples do not follow the truth. The uneducated and educated disciples of those saints devoid of Tatvgyan even after seeing the evidences do not leave those ignorant saints and do not accept the true way of worship; they are fools. Both (knowledgeable and ignorant) are acting according to their temperaments. Therefore, the path of bhakti has taken a wrong direction and it is useless to advice both of them.

Garib, chaatur praani chor hain, mood mugdh hain thoth |
Santon ke nahin kaam ke, inkoon de gal jot ||

Gita Chapter 3 Verse 34

Indriyasya, indriyasya, arthe, raagdweshau, vyavasthitau,
TyoH, na, vasham’, aagachchhet’, tau, hi, asya, paripanthinau ||34||

Translation: (Indriyasya, indriyasya) of sense-sense (arthe) in object i.e. in the object of every sense (raagdweshau) love and hatred (vyavasthitau) are present hidden (tyoH) their (vasham’) under control (na) not (aagachchhet’) should be (hi) because (tau) both of them only (asya) his (paripanthinau) are obstructing great enemies. (34)

Translation: Love and hatred are present hidden in object of every sense. One should not come under their control because both of them are his obstructing great enemies.

Gita Chapter 3 Verse 35

Shreyan’, swadharmH, vigunH, pardharmaat’, swanushthitaat’,
Swadharme, nidhnam’, shreyH, pardharmH, bhyaavahH ||35||

Translation: (VigunH) devoid of merits i.e. abandoning the injunctions of scriptures (swanushthitaat’) an arbitrary, very well brought into practice (pardharmaat’) others’ way of worship (swadharmH) one’s scripture-based way of worship (shreyan’) is much better which is scripture-based (swadharme) in one’s own way of worship (nidhnam’) even dying (shreyH) is beneficial and (pardharmH) other’s way of worship (bhyaavahH) is frightening. (35)

Translation: One’s scripture-based way of worship is much better than others’ arbitrary way of worship which is very well brought into practice, but is devoid of merits i.e. is done on relinquishing the injunctions of the scriptures. Even dying in one’s own way of worship is beneficial and another’s way of worship is frightening.

Gita Chapter 3 Verse 36

(Arjun uvaach)

Ath, ken, pryuktH, ayam’, paapam’, charti, poorushH,
Anichchhan’, api, vaarshney, balaat’, iv, niyojitH ||36||

(Arjun said)

Translation: (Vaarshney) Oh Krishna! (ath) then (ayam’) this (poorushH) man himself (anichchhan’) unwillingly (api) also (balaat’) force (niyojitH) applied (iv) as if (ken) by what (pryuktH) being inspired (paapam’) sin (charti) commits. (36)

Translation: Oh Krishna! Then inspired by what does this man himself even unwillingly commits this sin, as if driven by force.

Gita Chapter 3 Verse 37

(Bhagwan uvaach)

KaamH, eshH, krodhH, eshH, rajogunsamud’bhavH,
MahashanH, mahapapma, viddhi, enam’, ih, vairinm’ ||37||

(God said)

Translation: (Rajogunsamud’bhavH) arising from Rajogun (eshH) this (kaamH) lust i.e. sex (eshH) this (krodhH) anger (mahashanH) excessive eater of living being i.e. destroyer (mahapapma) is a great sinner (enam’) the above-mentioned sin only; you (ih) in this matter (vairinm’) enemy (viddhi) consider. (37)

Translation: Arising from Rajogun this lust i.e. sex and this anger, an excessive eater i.e. destroyer of living being, is a great sinner. You may consider the above-mentioned sin only to be the enemy in this matter.

Gita Chapter 3 Verse 38

Dhoomen, aavriyate, vah’inH, yatha, aadarshH, malen, ch,
Yatha, ulben, aavrtH, garbhH, tatha, ten, idam’, aavrtm’ ||38||

Translation: (Yatha) Just as (dhoomen) by smoke (vah’inH) fire (ch) and (malen) by dust (aadarshH) mirror (aavriyate) is covered (yatha) just as (ulben) by amnion (garbhH) a foetus (aavrtH) is covered (tatha) likewise (ten) by the above-mentioned defects/evilhabits (idam’) this knowledge (aavrtm’) is covered. (38)

Translation: Just as fire is covered by smoke and mirror by dust, just as foetus is covered by amnion; likewise, this knowledge is covered by the above-mentioned defects.

Gita Chapter 3 Verse 39

Aavrtm’, gyanm’, eten, gyaninH, nityavairina,
Kaamroopen, kauntey, dushpooren, anlen, ch ||39||

Translation: (Ch) and (kauntey) Oh son of Kunti, Arjun! (eten) this (anlen) like fire (dushpooren) never satiable (kaamroopen) in the form of sexual pleasure i.e. sex-like (gyaninH) knowledgeable persons’ (nityavairina) by constant enemy; a man’s (gyanm’) knowledge (aavrtm’) is covered. (39)

Translation: And oh son of Kunti, Arjun! Tthe knowledge of man is covered by the sex-like eternal enemy of the knowledgeable persons which can never be satiated like this fire.

Gita Chapter 3 Verse 40

Indriyaani, manH, buddhiH, asya, adhishthanm’, uchyate,
EtaiH, vimohyati, eshH, gyanm’, aavrtya, dehinm’ ||40||

Translation: (Indriyaani) senses (manH) mind and (buddhiH) intelligence, all these (asya) this Kamdev i.e. sex’s (adhishthanm’) dwelling place (uchyate) are said to be (eshH) this desire of sexual pleasure (etaiH) through these mind, intelligence and senses only (gyanm’) knowledge (aavrtya) covering (dehinm’) soul (vimohyati) attracts. (40)

Translation: Senses, mind and intelligence – all these are said to be the dwelling place of this Kamdev i.e. sex. This desire of sexual pleasure attracts the soul by covering knowledge through these, mind, intelligence and senses only.

Gita Chapter 3 Verse 41

Tasmaat’, tvam, indriyaani, aadau, niyamya, bharatarshabh,
Paapmaanm’, prjahi, hi, enam’, gyaanvigyaannaashnam’ ||41||

Translation: (Tasmaat’) therefore (bharatarshabh) oh descendent of Bharat, Arjun! (tvam’) you (aadau) first of all (indriyaani) senses (niyamya) controlling (enam’) this (gyaan-vigyaan-naashnam’) the destroyer of knowledge and science (paapmaanam’) great sinner sex (hi) definitely (prjahi) kill. (41)

Translation: Therefore, oh descendent of Bharat, Arjun! You first of all controlling the senses definitely kill this destroyer of knowledge and science, the great sinner sex.

Gita Chapter 3 Verse 42

Indriyaani, paraani, aahuH, indriyebhyaH, param’, manH,
ManasH, tu, paraa, buddhiH, yaH, buddheH, paratH, tu, saH ||42||

Translation: (Indriyaani) senses compared to material body (paraani) superior, powerful and subtle (aahuH) are said to be (indriyebhyaH) compared to these senses (param’) more (manH) is mind (manasH) than mind (tu) however (paraa) superior (buddhiH) is intellect (tu) and (yaH) that which is (buddheH) than intellect also (paratH) more powerful (saH) that is soul accompanied by God. (42)

Translation: Senses are said to be superior, powerful and suble compared to material body; mind is superior to these senses; however, intellect is superior to mind and that which is even more powerful than intellect is the soul accompanied by God.

Gita Chapter 3 Verse 43

Evam’, buddheH, param’, bud’dhva, sanstabhya, aatmaanam’, aatmna,
Jahi, shatrum’, mahabaho, kaamroopam’, duraasadam’ ||43||

Translation: (Evam’) thus (buddheH) intellect (param’) extremely superior (aatmaanam’) God (bud’dhva) knowing (aatmna) oneself by self-practice (sanstabhya) abstemious (mahabaho) oh mighty-armed! Arjun, you may (kaamroopam’) sex-like i.e. in the form of sexual pleasure (duraasadam’) invincible (shatrum’) enemy (jahi) kill. (43)

Translation: Thus, consiering God to be extremely superior to intellect and oneself abstemious by self-practice, oh mighty-armed Arjun! You may kill this sex-like invincible enemy.

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