Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 3 · Karma Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 3.26 न बुद्धिभेदं जनयेदज्ञानां कर्मसङ्गिनाम्
श्लोक 3.26
न बुद्धिभेदं जनयेदज्ञानां कर्मसङ्गिनाम् ।
जोषयेत्सर्वकर्माणि विद्वान्युक्तः समाचरन् ॥
na buddhibhedaṃ janayedajñānāṃ karmasaṅginām |
joṣayetsarvakarmāṇi vidvānyuktaḥ samācaran ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
ज्ञानी पुरुष को चाहिए कि कर्मों में आसक्त अज्ञानियों की बुद्धि में भ्रम उत्पन्न न करे, बल्कि स्वयं योगयुक्त होकर भली-भाँति कर्म करते हुए उन्हें भी कर्म में लगाए।
Meaning in English
The wise should not unsettle the minds of the ignorant who are attached to action. Rather, acting steadily in yoga, they should inspire others to do all their work well.
Bhagavad Gita 3.26 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| न | na | not |
| बुद्धिभेदम् | buddhi-bhedam | unsettling of understanding |
| जनयेत् | janayet | should create |
| अज्ञानाम् | ajñānām | of the ignorant |
| कर्मसङ्गिनाम् | karma-saṅginām | attached to action |
| जोषयेत् | joṣayet | should encourage, engage |
| सर्वकर्माणि | sarva-karmāṇi | all actions |
| विद्वान् | vidvān | the wise |
| युक्तः | yuktaḥ | steadfast, disciplined |
| समाचरन् | samācaran | performing well |
Explanation
The wise should not unsettle the minds of the ignorant who are attached to action. Instead, steady in yoga and acting well themselves, they should encourage them in all their work.
Krishna warns the wise against telling people who are not ready to give up their work or rituals, which could leave them with neither action nor knowledge. Better to set an example and inspire right action. Shankara reads it as caution about premature talk of renunciation. Many modern teachers see in it a principle of teaching: meet people where they are, and lead by example rather than by undermining their faith.
भावार्थ
ज्ञानी पुरुष कर्मों में आसक्त अज्ञानियों की बुद्धि में भ्रम उत्पन्न न करे, बल्कि स्वयं योगयुक्त होकर भली-भाँति कर्म करते हुए उनसे भी सब कर्म करवाए।
Living it today
Do not knock down someone's motivation or faith before they have something better to stand on. Show a better way by living it.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 3.26?
The wise should not unsettle the minds of the ignorant who are attached to action. Instead, steady in yoga and acting well themselves, they should encourage them in all their work.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 3.26?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 3 (Karma Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 3.26 in daily life?
Do not knock down someone's motivation or faith before they have something better to stand on. Show a better way by living it.
Reflected on verse 3.26?
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