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Chapter 03, Verse 01
अर्जुन उवाच ।
ज्यायसी चेत्कर्मणस्ते मता बुद्धिर्जनार्दन ।
तत्किं कर्मणि घोरे मां नियोजयसि केशव ॥ १ ॥
Arjuna uvaca।
jyayasi cet Karmanah te mata buddhir janardana ।
tat kim karmani ghore mam niyojayasi kesava ॥ 1 ॥
Word-by-Word Analysis
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
|
अर्जुन उवाच (arjuna uvaca) |
Arjuna said |
|
ज्यायसी (Jyayasi) |
Superior, greater |
|
चेत् (cet) |
If |
|
कर्मणः (Karmanah) |
Than action (karma) |
|
ते (te) |
Your (referring to Krishna’s opinion) |
|
मता (mata) |
Considered, thought, opinion |
|
बुद्धिः (buddhih) |
Knowledge, wisdom (often referring to Jnana Yoga) |
|
जनार्दन (janardana) |
O Janardana (one who helps or protects people, a name for Krishna) |
|
तत्किं (tat kim) |
Then why |
|
कर्मणि (karmani) |
In action |
|
घोरे (ghore) |
Terrible, dreadful |
|
माम् (mam) |
Me |
|
नियोजयसि (niyojayasi) |
Engage, involve, instruct |
|
केशव (kesava) |
O Keshava (slayer of the Kesi demon, another name for Krishna) |
Translation
“O Janardana (Krishna), if You think that knowledge (Jnana) is superior to action (karma), then why do You engage me in this terrible action (of war), O Keshava?”
Context of the Verse
This verse is the introduction to Karma Yoga (The Path of Action), Chapter 3
Krishna enlightened two significant paths in Chapter 2:
- Jnana Yoga (Path of Knowledge) – The path of knowledge and detachment.
- Karma Yoga (Path of Action) – To do one’s duty without attachment.
Krishna had earlier himself declared that Jnana Yoga is the greatest but now he himself tells Arjuna to fight.
Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, began describing the teachings of the Gita, and Arjuna, bewildered in heart, could not understand clearly why Krishna is advising to engage in action (Karma Yoga) rather than wisdom and renunciation.
This provokes Krishna to expound on Karma Yoga, stating that selfless action is absolutely necessary for spiritual development.
Key Teachings in This Verse
Confusion in Spiritual Paths:
- Arjuna embodies a perennial spiritual dilemma – should one act in the world, or renounce it in pursuit of knowledge?
- Krishna adds that action performed without attachment is the highest wisdom.
Necessity of Action:
- Renunciation (Jnana Yoga) is not for all.
- Karma Yoga is much more feasible for most people as it leads to purification of mind.
Misrepresentation of Krishna Philosophy:
- Arjuna believes that Krishna is speaking in contradiction terms.
- Krishna then goes on to explain that knowledge and action are not two opposites, but are complementary.
Relevance to Daily Life
- Many people believe spirituality means withdrawing from action.
- Krishna teaches that engaging in one’s duty with detachment is the true path to liberation.
Explanation
Arjuna said, “Oh Janardhan, O Keshava, why do you urge me to engage in this ghastly warfare? If you think that intelligence is better than fruitless works?”
As we have seen in the last chapter, Lord Krishna has completely denounced the tendency of fruitive work. Fruitive work means expecting to enjoy the results of one’s activities. And Arjuna was shown the path of buddhi yoga to become free from the bondage of work. Now Arjuna is asking a common question that comes to the minds of many new spiritualists, who have just taken to spiritual life. And people ask and they assume, “OK, spiritual life means giving up all duties, all responsibilities, and justice, keeping ourselves in a secluded place and retiring. Chanting Hare Krishna may be 24 hours in some jungle or on some mountain.” This is the understanding of spiritual life.
But here, Lord Krishna wants to make it very clear. That the actions of a spiritualist and a materialist can be very much the same. Externally, a person may not be able to make out that he is a spiritualist or a materialist. But there is a huge difference in consciousness. That is why this process is called buddhi yoga, the yoga of intelligence. The senses can act in the same way. Arjuna was a fighter before, and Arjuna was a fighter afterwards, after hearing the Bhagavad Gita also. But what changed was consciousness.
So here Arjuna is asking Krishna. You tell Krishna consciousness is the path. Buddha Yoga is the path. So just let me retire from my duties. Why then do you again tell me that you please engage in work?
Chapter 03, Verse 02
अर्जुन उवाच ।
व्यामिश्रेणेव वाक्येन बुद्धिं मोहयसीव मे ।
तदेकं वद निश्चित्य येन श्रेयोऽहमाप्नुयाम् ॥ २ ॥
Arjuna uvaca।
vyamisreneva vakyena buddhim mohayasiva me ।
tad ekam vada niscitya yena sreyo ham apnuyam ॥ २ ॥
Word-by-Word Analysis
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
|
व्यामिश्रेण (vyamisrena) |
Mixed, confused |
|
इव (iva) |
As if, seemingly |
|
वाक्येन (vakyena) |
By words, through speech |
|
बुद्धिं (buddhim) |
Intellect, understanding |
|
मोहयसी (mohayasi) |
Confuse, delude |
|
इव (iva) |
As if (used for emphasis) |
|
मे (me) |
My |
|
तत् (tat) |
That |
|
एकं (ekam) |
One, single |
|
वद (vada) |
Speak, tell |
|
निश्चित्य (niscitya) |
With certainty, decisively |
|
येन (yena) |
By which |
|
श्रेयः (sreyah) |
Supreme good, ultimate benefit |
|
अहम् (aham) |
I |
|
आप्नुयाम् (apnuyam) |
May attain, achieve |
Translation
“You seem to confuse my intellect with Your ambiguous words. Therefore, please tell me clearly one path by which I may attain the highest good.”
Context of the Verse
Arjuna’s Confusion
In Chapter 2, Krishna described two paths to liberation:
- Jnana Yoga (Path of Knowledge) – Action renunciation and self-knowledge.
- Karma Yoga (Path of Action) – Acting without desire for the fruits of action.
However, we note here that Arjuna is in disbelief as Krishna had said that knowledge is better than action, yet he ordered Arjuna to fight. He senses a contradiction in what Krishna is saying and asks to be told what, decisively, to do.
Key Teachings in This Verse
Spiritual Confusion Is Perfectly Normal
- Arjuna’s doubt is a normal struggle – how do we understand what is truly right in life?
- There is a lot of confusion among people regarding their spiritual decisions and a craving for crystal-clear directions.
Desire for Clarity
- Arjuna does not deny Krishna’s teachings, but instead requests clear and explicit directions.
- It is a testimony for the need of seeking clarity on spiritual dilemmas from a Guru.
The Need for a Single Path
- Arjuna has asked for one clear way going to Shreyaḥ (ultimate good).
- Karma Yoga is the best path for the majority of people, Krishna will soon explain.
Practical Application
- In real life, people sometimes wrestle between theory and practice.
- Through the next verses, Krishna answers on how one can attain wisdom through selfless action.
Explanation
My intelligence is bewildered by your equivocal instructions. Therefore, please tell me decisively what is most beneficial for me.
Chapter 03, Verse 03
श्रीभगवानुवाच:
लोकेऽस्मिन् द्विविधा निष्ठा पुरा प्रोक्ता मयानघ |
ज्ञानयोगेन सांख्यानां कर्मयोगेन योगिनाम् || 3 ||
Shri-Bhagavan uvacha:
loke ’smin dvi-vidha nishtha pura prokta mayanagha |
jana-yogena sankhyanam karma-yogena yoginam|| 3 ||
Word-by-Word Analysis
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
|
श्रीभगवानुवाच (Shri-Bhagavan uvacha) |
The Blessed Lord said (Krishna said) |
|
लोके (loke) |
In the world |
|
अस्मिन् (asmin) |
In this |
|
द्विविधा (dvi-vidha) |
Twofold, of two types |
|
निष्ठा (Nishtha) |
Faith, discipline, path |
|
पुरा (pura) |
Formerly, in the past |
|
प्रोक्ता (prokta) |
Was spoken, was declared |
|
मया (maya) |
By Me |
|
अनघ (anagha) |
O sinless one (Arjuna) |
|
ज्ञानयोगेन (jana-yogena ) |
By the path of knowledge (Jnana Yoga) |
|
सांख्यानाम् (sankhyanam) |
Of the Sankhya philosophers (those who follow Jnana Yoga) |
|
कर्मयोगेन (karma-yogena) |
By the path of action (Karma Yoga) |
|
योगिनाम् (yoginam) |
Of the yogis (those engaged in Karma Yoga) |
Translation
The Supreme Lord said:
“O sinless one (Arjuna), I have previously taught two distinct paths of spiritual discipline in this world. For contemplative (Sankhyas) it is the path of Jnana Yoga (the path of knowledge) and for the active yogis it is Karma Yoga (the path of selfless action).”
Context of the Verse
This verse belongs to Chapter 3 (Karma Yoga – The Path of Action).
Why Krishna Is Talking About These Two Paths?
- Krishna in the last chapter discussed the wisdom of knowledge and renunciation (Jnana Yoga) and because of that Arjuna thought that renunciation of action seemed better.
- Jnana Yoga (The path of knowledge) and Karma Yoga (The path of action) lead to liberation, but not everybody is suited for all the paths.
The Two Paths Explained:
Jnana Yoga: The Yoga of Knowledge
- Sankhyas (intellectuals, philosophers, renunciates)
- Wisdom – it requires deep reflection, detachment, and realization of self. It will suit those with a preference for meditation, study, and self-inquiry.
Karma Yoga (The Way of Unselfish Service)
- Yogis (people who performed action as worship)
- His work is done without attachment to the results. For the seeker who wants liberation but doesn’t want to get off of the roller coaster of life.
Key Teachings in This Verse
Two Paths of Liberation:
- Jnana Yoga (Path of Knowledge) – Philosophers.
- Karma Yoga (Path of Action) – For the dynamic. Both paths lead to the same ultimate aim but appeal to different temperaments.
Most people must work without self-interest:
- Not everyone is made for renunciation and deep meditation.
- Performing one’s duties without attachment purifies the soul.
Spreading Out on Spirituality:
- How to get liberation is not only one solution; different people have different ways of doing things according to their nature.
- Krishna acknowledges and respects the individual passions.
Arjuna’s Duty as a Warrior:
- He should act with Karma Yoga, work as per his duty of being a Kshatriya, and fight following the path of the righteous cause without any attachment.
No Path is Better or Worse:
- Jnana Yoga and Karma Yoga, if practiced sincerely, are equally effective.
- What matters is how sincerely and how dedicated the intention is to self-realization.
Relevance to Arjuna
- As a warrior reading the Gita, Arjuna is the ideal recipient of the message of Karma Yoga.
- Krishna guides us that seeking selfless action, rather than inaction, brings about inner purification.
- Do not forsake action and, in doing so, fail to elevate in an absolute spiritual state; Krishna cautions against renouncing duties without merit, in recognizing the necessity for action for liberation.
Explanation
The Blessed Lord said, O sinless Arjuna, I have explained that the self is realized through 2 classes of men. Some are given to know him by empirical philosophical speculation, and others are given to know him by devotional works. So, here Krishna is clearly explaining the two parts.
One set of spiritualists. One set of spiritualists, the Sanchi Yogis or the Gyani Yogis. They are renouncing their duties according to the Varnashrama institution – Brahmachari, Grihastha, Vanaprastha, and Sanyas. These are four divisions of the Varnashrama institution. According to the psychophysical condition of a human being, responsibilities are issued in this institution so that the person can get gradual inspiration and progress from the Tamsik mode to the Satvik nature. And at one stage, get enlightened and end up the birth and death cycle. This is the beginning and the end of all the activities, leading to render him Krishna-conscious. But there are also those who give up all obligations. They are analysing and understanding things philosophically; they want to understand. This is known as the path of Sankhya or Gyana Yoga. They are spiritualists, only they are seeking knowledge of God through the process of work. They are called Karma Yogis. These two Yogas are both very important. They are interdependent. That is why Krishna is going to say, “You are all students.” Religion and philosophy are also interdependent, just like them. Others just philosophize and have no understanding whatsoever. This is mere speculation that does not lead to the end result.
The religious scriptures taught by God are his instructions, and we are too tiny to understand anything about absolute truth. Some people get stuck in their rituals without knowing what to believe and become fanatics. So, in that class, we also see there are fanatic religious people without any philosophy, and there are some philosophizing people who try to understand what is truth without understanding from God what is truth. They do not want to explain God; they want to know God.
So, in both cases, the person is not able to understand absolute truth, so there must be religion. Religion is divine revelation. We need to cleanse our minds so that we can comprehend the truth. And you know philosophy is very much needed for a spiritual life. Thus, a spiritual life is not a matter of sentimental preference. It is a scientific sense of ultimate truth. However, if there is no religion, only philosophy, it will also fail. Sankhya and Karma Yoga both considered to be of equal importance in all senses.