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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 ›
Duty & actionChapter 3 · Karma-yoga
3.63.8

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 3.7

Why disciplined, selfless action is necessary

Karma · Action

यस्त्विन्द्रियाणि मनसा नियम्यारभतेऽर्जुन ।

कर्मेन्द्रियैः कर्मयोगमसक्तः स विशिष्यते ॥ ७ ॥

yas tv indriyāṇi manasā

niyamyārabhate ’rjuna

karmendriyaiḥ karma-yogam

asaktaḥ sa viśiṣyate

Translation

On the other hand, if a sincere person tries to control the active senses by the mind and begins karma-yoga [in Kṛṣṇa consciousness] without attachment, he is by far superior.

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

Sincere Work in Kṛṣṇa Consciousness

  1. 1

    A sincere person who controls the senses with the mind and works in Kṛṣṇa consciousness without attachment is far superior.

  2. 2

    Prabhupāda explains that sincere, regulated service—even while doing one’s regular work—helps one become free from material bondage and reach Viṣṇu.

  3. 3

    Continue your duties without attachment, control your senses, and sincerely serve Kṛṣṇa rather than make a show of spirituality.

Key points from the purport

Appreciates a “Sincere dutiful householder” to be better than “Attached or Mithyacarah Sannyasi”

One should sincerely try to control active senses by the mind and begin Karma-yoga without attachment

Connected verses · 1

Texts 3.6 & 3.7

Next Krishna compares an attached sannyasi and a detached householder

Further reading

Niskama-Karma Yoga

Work combined with knowledge and detachment

Offer the fruit of the work for the satisfaction of Krishna

Niskama-karma-yoga allows the soul (active by nature) to be purified through detached activities

Chapter 3, section II: Niskama-Karma Yoga
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yaḥone who
  2. tubut
  3. indriyāṇithe senses
  4. manasāby the mind
  5. niyamyaregulating
  6. ārabhatebegins
  7. arjunaO Arjuna
  8. karma-indriyaiḥby the active sense organs
3

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: karma, sva-dharma.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 3.7 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to duty & action?

Practice

Do one task today purely because it is right.

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.

BG 3.3Why disciplined, selfless action is necessaryBG 3.4Why disciplined, selfless action is necessaryBG 2.47Responsibility without ownership of outcomes
Live this todayPerform Your Prescribed DutyA practice from BG 3.8, close to this verse

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

  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 4 of 9 · 10 minChapters & storiesGo chapter by chapter, with the Mahābhārata stories that explain what is happening.Back · LearnPrabhupāda's Introduction