Chapter 3 · Karma Yoga - The Yoga of Selfless ActionKrishna
Verse 26
श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता अध्याय 3, श्लोक 26
Sanskrit Shloka (श्लोक)
न बुद्धिभेदं जनयेदज्ञानां कर्मसङ्गिनाम्।
जोषयेत्सर्वकर्माणि विद्वान्युक्तः समाचरन्॥२६॥
Transliteration
Na Buddhi-Bhedam Janayed-Ajnanam Karma-Sanginam.
Joshayet-Sarva-Karmani Vidvan-Yuktah Samacharan.||26||
Word-by-Word Meaning (अन्वय)
नnanot
बुद्धिभेदम्buddhi-bhedamconfusion of intellect
जनयेत्janayetshould create
अज्ञानाम्ajnanamof the ignorant
कर्मसङ्गिनाम्karma-sanginamattached to action
जोषयेत्joshayetshould engage/inspire
सर्वकर्माणिsarva-karmaniall actions
विद्वान्vidvanthe wise person
युक्तःyuktahengaged in yoga
समाचरन्samacharanperforming properly
Hindi Translation (हिन्दी अर्थ)
विद्वान पुरुष कर्म में आसक्त अज्ञानियों की बुद्धि में भ्रम उत्पन्न न करे। बल्कि स्वयं समस्त कर्मों को भली-भाँति करते हुए उन्हें (कर्म में) प्रवृत्त करे।
English Translation
The wise should not unsettle the minds of the ignorant who are attached to action. Rather, the wise should engage them in all actions by performing their own duties well.
Commentary (टीका)
This is a remarkable teaching on spiritual leadership and sensitivity. A wise person should not suddenly tell attached people to give up action — this would confuse and destabilize them. Instead, the wise should lead by example, performing duties with detachment, and gradually inspire others toward the same attitude. Wisdom includes the skill of appropriate communication.