Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 3 · Karma Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 3.41 तस्मात्त्वमिन्द्रियाण्यादौ नियम्य भरतर्षभ
श्लोक 3.41
तस्मात्त्वमिन्द्रियाण्यादौ नियम्य भरतर्षभ ।
पाप्मानं प्रजहि ह्येनं ज्ञानविज्ञाननाशनम् ॥
tasmāttvamindriyāṇyādau niyamya bharatarṣabha |
pāpmānaṃ prajahi hyenaṃ jñānavijñānanāśanam ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
इसलिए हे भरतश्रेष्ठ! तुम पहले इन्द्रियों को वश में करो और फिर ज्ञान तथा विज्ञान का नाश करने वाले इस पापी काम को अवश्य मार डालो।
Meaning in English
Therefore, O best of the Bharatas (Arjuna), first bring the senses under control, and then strike down this sinful thing that destroys knowledge and realisation.
Bhagavad Gita 3.41 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| तस्मात् | tasmāt | therefore |
| त्वम् | tvam | you |
| इन्द्रियाणि | indriyāṇi | the senses |
| आदौ | ādau | first, at the outset |
| नियम्य | niyamya | having controlled |
| भरतर्षभ | bharata-ṛṣabha | O best of the Bharatas |
| पाप्मानम् | pāpmānam | the sinful one |
| प्रजहि | prajahi | strike down, destroy |
| हि | hi | surely |
| एनम् | enam | this |
| ज्ञानविज्ञाननाशनम् | jñāna-vijñāna-nāśanam | destroyer of knowledge and realisation |
Explanation
Therefore, O best of the Bharatas, first bring the senses under control, and then strike down this sinful thing that destroys both knowledge and realisation.
Krishna gives the order of practice: begin with the senses, the outermost stronghold. Jnana and vijnana are read in a pair: Shankara takes jnana as knowledge from scripture and teacher, and vijnana as personal experience of it; Ramanuja reads them as knowledge of the self and discernment of its nature. Desire blocks both. The martial language fits the battlefield setting, but the battle is internal.
भावार्थ
इसलिए हे भरतश्रेष्ठ! तुम पहले इन्द्रियों को वश में करके ज्ञान और विज्ञान का नाश करने वाले इस पापी काम को अवश्य ही मार डालो।
Living it today
Start with what you let in: your screen, your food, your surroundings. Guarding the senses is the easiest place to begin.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 3.41?
Therefore, O best of the Bharatas, first bring the senses under control, and then strike down this sinful thing that destroys both knowledge and realisation.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 3.41?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 3 (Karma Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 3.41 in daily life?
Start with what you let in: your screen, your food, your surroundings. Guarding the senses is the easiest place to begin.
Reflected on verse 3.41?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.