Bhagavad Gita · Verse 18.60
Chapter 18: Moksha Sannyasa Yoga (मोक्षसंन्यासयोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
स्वभावजेन कौन्तेय निबद्धः स्वेन कर्मणा । कर्तुं नेच्छसि यन्मोहात्करिष्यस्यवशोऽपि तत् ॥६०॥
svabhāvajena kaunteya nibaddhaḥ svena karmaṇā | kartuṃ necchasi yanmohātkariṣyasyavaśo'pi tat ||60||
Complete Shloka Translation
Bound by your own nature-born action, Kaunteya, even what you do not wish to do through delusion you will do helplessly.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| स्वभाव | svabhāva | one's own nature |
| अवश | avaśa | helpless or constrained |
| स्वभावजेन | svabhāvajena | [term] in context of Bound by your own nature-born ... |
| कौन्तेय | kaunteya | [term] in context of Bound by your own nature-born ... |
| निबद्धः | nibaddhaḥ | [term] in context of Bound by your own nature-born ... |
| स्वेन | svena | [term] in context of Bound by your own nature-born ... |
| कर्मणा | karmaṇā | [term] in context of Bound by your own nature-born ... |
| कर्तुं | kartuṃ | [term] in context of Bound by your own nature-born ... |
| नेच्छसि | necchasi | [term] in context of Bound by your own nature-born ... |
| यन्मोहात्करिष्यस्यवशोऽपि | yanmohātkariṣyasyavaśo'pi | [term] in context of Bound by your own nature-born ... |
| तत् | tat | [term] in context of Bound by your own nature-born ... |
| ६० | tat | [term] in context of Bound by your own nature-born ... |
one's own nature
helpless or constrained
[term] in context of Bound by your own nature-born ...
[term] in context of Bound by your own nature-born ...
[term] in context of Bound by your own nature-born ...
[term] in context of Bound by your own nature-born ...
[term] in context of Bound by your own nature-born ...
[term] in context of Bound by your own nature-born ...
[term] in context of Bound by your own nature-born ...
[term] in context of Bound by your own nature-born ...
[term] in context of Bound by your own nature-born ...
[term] in context of Bound by your own nature-born ...
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
The warning continues 18.59 on the force of conditioning. The invitation to reflect and choose in 18.63 remains important context.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Which habits constrain your choices without your noticing?"
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
Which habits constrain your choices without your noticing?
Modern Life Implementation (Practical Real-Life Application)
Apply this verse to achieve purposeful living: execute your daily duties with full craftsmanship and honesty, release obsessive ego over results, and ground your spirit in timeless devotion, knowing that where righteous effort joins higher wisdom, victory is assured.