Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 3 · Karma Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 3.28 तत्त्ववित्तु महाबाहो गुणकर्मविभागयोः
श्लोक 3.28
तत्त्ववित्तु महाबाहो गुणकर्मविभागयोः ।
गुणा गुणेषु वर्तन्त इति मत्वा न सज्जते ॥
tattvavittu mahābāho guṇakarmavibhāgayoḥ |
guṇā guṇeṣu vartanta iti matvā na sajjate ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
परंतु हे महाबाहो! गुण और कर्म के विभाग का तत्त्व जानने वाला ज्ञानी यह समझकर कि 'गुण ही गुणों में बरत रहे हैं', उनमें आसक्त नहीं होता।
Meaning in English
But one who knows the truth about the division of qualities and their actions, O mighty-armed one (Arjuna), understands that it is qualities acting upon qualities, and does not become attached.
Bhagavad Gita 3.28 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| तत्त्ववित् | tattva-vit | knower of the truth |
| तु | tu | but |
| महाबाहो | mahābāho | O mighty-armed |
| गुणकर्मविभागयोः | guṇa-karma-vibhāgayoḥ | of the distinctions of gunas and their actions |
| गुणाः | guṇāḥ | the gunas (senses and faculties) |
| गुणेषु | guṇeṣu | among the gunas (sense objects) |
| वर्तन्ते | vartante | move, operate |
| इति | iti | thus |
| मत्वा | matvā | knowing |
| न | na | not |
| सज्जते | sajjate | becomes attached |
Explanation
But one who knows the truth about how the gunas and their actions are divided, O mighty-armed, sees that the qualities are only acting upon qualities, and does not become attached.
This completes the thought of verse 27. The wise see the senses, products of the gunas, interacting with sense objects, also products of the gunas, while the Self remains a witness. Shankara takes this as the knowledge that the Self is not the doer. Ramanuja reads it as discerning the self as distinct from prakriti. Practically, it describes a stepping back that lets one act without the grip of 'I did this'.
भावार्थ
परन्तु हे महाबाहो! गुण और कर्म के विभाग के तत्त्व को जानने वाला ज्ञानी यह समझकर कि गुण ही गुणों में बरत रहे हैं, उनमें आसक्त नहीं होता।
Living it today
When a craving or reaction arises, observe it as body and mind responding to a trigger. That small distance weakens its hold.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 3.28?
But one who knows the truth about how the gunas and their actions are divided, O mighty-armed, sees that the qualities are only acting upon qualities, and does not become attached.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 3.28?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 3 (Karma Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 3.28 in daily life?
When a craving or reaction arises, observe it as body and mind responding to a trigger. That small distance weakens its hold.
Reflected on verse 3.28?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.