Chapter 3 · Karma Yoga - The Yoga of Selfless ActionKrishna
Verse 28
श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता अध्याय 3, श्लोक 28
Sanskrit Shloka (श्लोक)
तत्त्ववित्तु महाबाहो गुणकर्मविभागयोः।
गुणा गुणेषु वर्तन्त इति मत्वा न सज्जते॥२८॥
Transliteration
Tattva-Vit-Tu Maha-Baho Guna-Karma-Vibhagayoh.
Guna Guneshu Vartanta Iti Matva Na Sajjate.||28||
Word-by-Word Meaning (अन्वय)
तत्त्ववित्tattva-vitthe knower of truth
तुtubut
महाबाहोmaha-bahoO mighty-armed one
गुणकर्मविभागयोःguna-karma-vibhagayohof the division of gunas and actions
गुणाःgunahthe gunas (senses)
गुणेषुguneshuin the gunas (sense objects)
वर्तन्तेvartanteare engaged
इतिitithus
मत्वाmatvaknowing
नnanot
सज्जतेsajjatebecomes attached
Hindi Translation (हिन्दी अर्थ)
हे महाबाहो! गुण और कर्म के विभाग (तत्त्व) को जानने वाला ज्ञानी यह समझकर कि 'गुण ही गुणों में (इन्द्रियाँ विषयों में) बरत रहे हैं' — आसक्त नहीं होता।
English Translation
But one who knows the truth about the division of the gunas and their actions, O mighty-armed, understanding that it is the gunas that act upon the gunas (senses acting among sense objects), does not become attached.
Commentary (टीका)
The wise person understands that what appears as 'my action' is simply the dance of Prakriti's gunas interacting with their corresponding objects. The senses (products of gunas) engage with sense objects (also products of gunas). The Self merely witnesses. This understanding frees one from the false notion of doership and hence from attachment.