Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 3 · Karma Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 3.16 एवं प्रवर्तितं चक्रं नानुवर्तयतीह यः
श्लोक 3.16
एवं प्रवर्तितं चक्रं नानुवर्तयतीह यः ।
अघायुरिन्द्रियारामो मोघं पार्थ स जीवति ॥
evaṃ pravartitaṃ cakraṃ nānuvartayatīha yaḥ |
aghāyurindriyārāmo moghaṃ pārtha sa jīvati ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
हे पार्थ! जो मनुष्य इस प्रकार चलाए गए सृष्टि-चक्र के अनुसार नहीं चलता, वह इन्द्रियों के सुख में रमने वाला पापमय जीवन जीता है और उसका जीवन व्यर्थ है।
Meaning in English
One who does not help turn this wheel set in motion here, O son of Pritha (Arjuna), lives a sinful life devoted to the senses, and lives in vain.
Bhagavad Gita 3.16 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| एवम् | evam | thus |
| प्रवर्तितम् | pravartitam | set in motion |
| चक्रम् | cakram | the wheel, cycle |
| न | na | not |
| अनुवर्तयति | anuvartayati | follows, keeps turning |
| इह | iha | here, in this world |
| यः | yaḥ | who |
| अघायुः | agha-āyuḥ | whose life is sinful |
| इन्द्रियारामः | indriya-ārāmaḥ | delighting in the senses |
| मोघम् | mogham | in vain |
| पार्थ | pārtha | O Partha (Arjuna) |
| सः | saḥ | he |
| जीवति | jīvati | lives |
Explanation
One who does not help turn the wheel thus set in motion, but lives a sinful life delighting only in the senses, lives in vain, O Partha.
Having described the cycle of food, rain, sacrifice and action, Krishna judges those who take part in it only as consumers. Such a life is called 'mogha', wasted, because it draws from the cycle without sustaining it. Shankara applies it to those who neglect prescribed duties. Gandhi and Vinoba saw in it a moral rule for society: everyone owes their share of labour and service. The wheel image makes duty a matter of keeping a shared system alive.
भावार्थ
हे पार्थ! जो मनुष्य इस प्रकार चलाए हुए सृष्टि-चक्र के अनुसार नहीं चलता, वह इन्द्रियों में रमने वाला पापमय जीवन वाला व्यर्थ ही जीता है।
Living it today
Ask whether your days only consume or also contribute. A small regular act of service keeps you part of the wheel.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 3.16?
One who does not help turn the wheel thus set in motion, but lives a sinful life delighting only in the senses, lives in vain, O Partha.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 3.16?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 3 (Karma Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 3.16 in daily life?
Ask whether your days only consume or also contribute. A small regular act of service keeps you part of the wheel.
Reflected on verse 3.16?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.