Bhagavad Gita · Verse 3.41
Chapter 3: Karma Yoga (कर्मयोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
तस्मात्त्वमिन्द्रियाण्यादौ नियम्य भरतर्षभ । पाप्मानं प्रजहि ह्येनं ज्ञानविज्ञाननाशनम् ॥४१॥
tasmāttvamindriyāṇyādau niyamya bharatarṣabha | pāpmānaṃ prajahi hyenaṃ jñānavijñānanāśanam ||41||
Complete Shloka Translation
Therefore, best of Bharatas, first govern the senses and overcome this harmful force that destroys knowledge and realized understanding.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| आदौ | ādau | first |
| ज्ञानविज्ञान | jñānavijñāna | knowledge and realized understanding |
| तस्मात्त्वमिन्द्रियाण्यादौ | tasmāttvamindriyāṇyādau | [term] in context of Therefore, best of Bharatas, f... |
| नियम्य | niyamya | [term] in context of Therefore, best of Bharatas, f... |
| भरतर्षभ | bharatarṣabha | [term] in context of Therefore, best of Bharatas, f... |
| पाप्मानं | pāpmānaṃ | [term] in context of Therefore, best of Bharatas, f... |
| प्रजहि | prajahi | [term] in context of Therefore, best of Bharatas, f... |
| ह्येनं | hyenaṃ | [term] in context of Therefore, best of Bharatas, f... |
| ज्ञानविज्ञाननाशनम् | jñānavijñānanāśanam | [term] in context of Therefore, best of Bharatas, f... |
| ४१ | jñānavijñānanāśanam | [term] in context of Therefore, best of Bharatas, f... |
first
knowledge and realized understanding
[term] in context of Therefore, best of Bharatas, f...
[term] in context of Therefore, best of Bharatas, f...
[term] in context of Therefore, best of Bharatas, f...
[term] in context of Therefore, best of Bharatas, f...
[term] in context of Therefore, best of Bharatas, f...
[term] in context of Therefore, best of Bharatas, f...
[term] in context of Therefore, best of Bharatas, f...
[term] in context of Therefore, best of Bharatas, f...
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
Jnana and vijnana are rendered as knowledge and realized understanding. Their precise distinction varies by tradition; both are threatened when consuming desire governs the faculties.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Practice begins where impulses first gather force in sensory engagement."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
What small change in sensory engagement could support clearer understanding?
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.