Chapter 3 · Karma Yoga - The Yoga of Selfless ActionKrishna
Verse 41
श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता अध्याय 3, श्लोक 41
Sanskrit Shloka (श्लोक)
तस्मात्त्वमिन्द्रियाण्यादौ नियम्य भरतर्षभ।
पाप्मानं प्रजहि ह्येनं ज्ञानविज्ञाननाशनम्॥४१॥
Transliteration
Tasmat-Tvam-Indriyany-Adau Niyamya Bharatarshabha.
Papmanam Prajahi Hy-Enam Jnana-Vijnana-Nashanam.||41||
Word-by-Word Meaning (अन्वय)
तस्मात्tasmattherefore
त्वम्tvamyou
इन्द्रियाणिindriyanithe senses
आदौadauin the beginning/first
नियम्यniyamyacontrolling
भरतर्षभbharatarshabhaO best of the Bharatas
पाप्मानम्papmanamthis sinful one
प्रजहिprajahislay/conquer
हिhicertainly
एनम्enamthis
ज्ञानविज्ञाननाशनम्jnana-vijnana-nashanamdestroyer of knowledge and realization
Hindi Translation (हिन्दी अर्थ)
अतः हे भरतश्रेष्ठ! तू पहले इन्द्रियों को वश में करके इस पापी (काम) को मार डाल, जो ज्ञान और विज्ञान दोनों का नाश करने वाला है।
English Translation
Therefore, O best of the Bharatas, first controlling the senses, slay this sinful destroyer of both theoretical knowledge (jnana) and realized wisdom (vijnana).
Commentary (टीका)
Krishna gives the practical strategy — start by controlling the senses, since they are the outermost fortress of desire. The battle against desire must be fought from the outside in. The word 'prajahi' (slay) shows the urgency and totality needed. Desire destroys both jnana (intellectual knowledge) and vijnana (direct experiential wisdom).