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Chapter 3 · Karma-yoga · 43 verses

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How to study this verse, in six steps
  1. 1Remember who is speaking. Kṛṣṇa is speaking. Take the verse as He directs.
  2. 2Say the verse and its words. Read the Sanskrit, then each word with its meaning.
  3. 3Read the translation as it is. Let the translation say what it says, without adding your own meaning.
  4. 4Read the purport. Hear the verse through the disciplic succession.
  5. 5Bring your own question. Ask: where does this verse meet my life, my trouble, my doubt?
  6. 6Act on it, remembering Kṛṣṇa. Carry one instruction into your work today.
Read the full guide: how to read the Bhagavad-gītā ›
Nature & guṇasChapter 3 · Karma-yoga

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 3.29

Nature, false ego and the modes

Prakṛti · Material nature

प्रकृतेर्गुणसम्मूढाः सज्ज‍न्ते गुणकर्मसु ।

तानकृत्स्नविदो मन्दान्कृत्स्नविन्न विचालयेत् ॥ २९ ॥

prakṛter guṇa-sammūḍhāḥ

sajjante guṇa-karmasu

tān akṛtsna-vido mandān

kṛtsna-vin na vicālayet

Translation

Bewildered by the modes of material nature, the ignorant fully engage themselves in material activities and become attached. But the wise should not unsettle them, although these duties are inferior due to the performers’ lack of knowledge.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

What this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.

3 study points

Do Not Unsettle Others

  1. 1

    People confused by material nature’s modes become attached to material work. The wise should not unsettle them.

  2. 2

    Prabhupāda explains that they mistake the body for the self. Yet compassionate devotees risk approaching them to share Kṛṣṇa consciousness, which is essential for human life.

  3. 3

    Continue your own spiritual activities quietly, without agitating people absorbed in material life.

Connected verses · 1

Texts 3.29 & 3.30

While the past several verses have stressed niskama-karma-yoga

(detached work), the next verse describes bhakti.

Further reading

Niskama-Karma To Set Correct Example

Dutifully acting without attachment sets the correct example for others, who are less advanced

Chapter 3, section IV: Niskama-Karma To Set Correct Example
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. prakṛteḥof material nature
  2. guṇaby the modes
  3. sammūḍhāḥbefooled by material identification
  4. sajjantethey become engaged
  5. guṇa-karmasuin material activities
  6. tānthose
  7. akṛtsna-vidaḥpersons with a poor fund of knowledge
  8. mandānlazy to understand self-realization
3

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: prakṛti, guṇa.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 3.29 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to nature & guṇas?

Practice

Observe which mode shaped your last decision.

5

The story behind it

Mahābhārata episodes and stories from the purports that shed light on this verse.

All stories for chapter 3 ›
6

Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

Live this todayOffer Your Duties to KṛṣṇaA practice from BG 3.30, close to this verse

Study notes are editorial summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport.