Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 3 · Karma Yoga

Bhagavad Gita 3.34 इन्द्रियस्येन्द्रियस्यार्थे रागद्वेषौ

Sri Krishna Chapter 3, Verse 34 With word-by-word notes

श्लोक 3.34

इन्द्रियस्येन्द्रियस्यार्थे रागद्वेषौ व्यवस्थितौ ।
तयोर्न वशमागच्छेत्तौ ह्यस्य परिपन्थिनौ ॥

indriyasyendriyasyārthe rāgadveṣau vyavasthitau |
tayorna vaśamāgacchettau hyasya paripanthinau ||

हिन्दी अर्थ

हर इन्द्रिय के विषय में राग और द्वेष छिपे रहते हैं। मनुष्य को इनके वश में नहीं होना चाहिए, क्योंकि ये दोनों उसके मार्ग के शत्रु (बाधक) हैं।

Meaning in English

Attraction and aversion are seated in each sense toward its objects. One should not come under their control, for they are obstacles on one's path.

Bhagavad Gita 3.34 — word by word

WordTransliterationMeaning
इन्द्रियस्य इन्द्रियस्यindriyasya indriyasyaof each sense
अर्थेarthein its object
रागद्वेषौrāga-dveṣauattraction and aversion
व्यवस्थितौvyavasthitauare seated, lie in wait
तयोःtayoḥof these two
नnanot
वशम्vaśamcontrol, sway
आगच्छेत्āgacchetshould come under
तौtauthey two
हिhifor
अस्यasyahis, one's
परिपन्थिनौparipanthinauhighway robbers, enemies on the path

Explanation

Attraction and aversion lie in wait for each sense in its object. One should not fall under their control, for they are robbers on one's path.

Having said that nature cannot simply be repressed, Krishna shows where freedom lies. Liking and disliking arise naturally when senses meet objects, but one need not be ruled by them. 'Paripanthin' means a robber who ambushes travellers on the road. Shankara notes that nature drives action only through these two; master them, and one can follow scripture and duty instead. Ramanuja makes a similar point about practising karma yoga.

भावार्थ

हर इन्द्रिय के विषय में राग और द्वेष छिपे रहते हैं। मनुष्य को उनके वश में नहीं होना चाहिए, क्योंकि वे दोनों ही उसके कल्याण-मार्ग में बाधा डालने वाले शत्रु हैं।

Living it today

Notice the instant pull of 'I like' and 'I hate' before you act. Pausing there lets you choose instead of being steered.

Frequently asked questions

What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 3.34?

Attraction and aversion lie in wait for each sense in its object. One should not fall under their control, for they are robbers on one's path.

Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 3.34?

Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 3 (Karma Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.

How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 3.34 in daily life?

Notice the instant pull of 'I like' and 'I hate' before you act. Pausing there lets you choose instead of being steered.

Reflected on verse 3.34?

Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.