Bhagavad Gita · Verse 3.36
Chapter 3: Karma Yoga (कर्मयोगः)
(Arjuna said)
अथ केन प्रयुक्तोऽयं पापं चरति पूरुषः । अनिच्छन्नपि वार्ष्णेय बलादिव नियोजितः ॥३६॥
atha kena prayukto'yaṃ pāpaṃ carati pūruṣaḥ | anicchannapi vārṣṇeya balādiva niyojitaḥ ||36||
Complete Shloka Translation
Arjuna said: Then what drives a person to commit wrongdoing, even against their wish, Varshneya, as though compelled by force?
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| अनिच्छन् | anicchan | not wishing |
| बलादिव | balādiva | as though by force |
| अथ | atha | [term] in context of Arjuna said: Then what drives ... |
| केन | kena | [term] in context of Arjuna said: Then what drives ... |
| प्रयुक्तोऽयं | prayukto'yaṃ | [term] in context of Arjuna said: Then what drives ... |
| पापं | pāpaṃ | [term] in context of Arjuna said: Then what drives ... |
| चरति | carati | [term] in context of Arjuna said: Then what drives ... |
| पूरुषः | pūruṣaḥ | [term] in context of Arjuna said: Then what drives ... |
| अनिच्छन्नपि | anicchannapi | [term] in context of Arjuna said: Then what drives ... |
| वार्ष्णेय | vārṣṇeya | [term] in context of Arjuna said: Then what drives ... |
| नियोजितः | niyojitaḥ | [term] in context of Arjuna said: Then what drives ... |
| ३६ | niyojitaḥ | [term] in context of Arjuna said: Then what drives ... |
not wishing
as though by force
[term] in context of Arjuna said: Then what drives ...
[term] in context of Arjuna said: Then what drives ...
[term] in context of Arjuna said: Then what drives ...
[term] in context of Arjuna said: Then what drives ...
[term] in context of Arjuna said: Then what drives ...
[term] in context of Arjuna said: Then what drives ...
[term] in context of Arjuna said: Then what drives ...
[term] in context of Arjuna said: Then what drives ...
[term] in context of Arjuna said: Then what drives ...
[term] in context of Arjuna said: Then what drives ...
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
The question follows the discussion of nature and attraction. As though compelled describes the felt force of an impulse and opens an inquiry into its source.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Arjuna asks about the gap between intention and actual conduct."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
Where do you notice a gap between what you intend and what you do?
Modern Life Implementation (Practical Real-Life Application)
Apply this verse in your daily career and work life: discharge your responsibilities wholeheartedly as an act of service and social welfare, freeing your mind from selfish anxiety and burnout.