Bhagavad Gita Chapter 3, Verse 7

Chapter 3 – Karma Yoga · Speaker: Krishna

Sanskrit verse

यस्त्विन्द्रियाणि मनसा नियम्यारभतेऽर्जुन ।
कर्मेन्द्रियैः कर्मयोगमसक्तः स विशिष्यते ॥

Transliteration

yastvindriyāṇi manasā niyamyārabhate.arjuna .
karmendriyaiḥ karmayogamasaktaḥ sa viśiṣyate ॥

Meaning

But, O Arjuna, he who controls the senses with the mind and, unattached, engages the organs of action in Karma Yoga is the one who excels.

Word meanings

यः – who
तु – but
इन्द्रियाणि – the senses
मनसा – by the mind
नियम्य – controlling
आरभते – undertakes
अर्जुन – O Arjuna
कर्मेन्द्रियैः – through the organs of action
कर्मयोगम् – Karma Yoga
असक्तः – unattached
सः – he
विशिष्यते – excels

Anvaya (word order)

अर्जुन, यः तु मनसा इन्द्रियाणि नियम्य, असक्तः (सन्) कर्मेन्द्रियैः कर्मयोगम् आरभते, सः विशिष्यते ।

Explanation

The hypocrite of the last verse was calm outside and restless within. This verse paints the exact opposite: a person whose senses are under the sway of his mind, and who yet does not draw back from action. He acts with hands and feet but keeps the reins of the mind in his own hands.

The word ‘asakta’, unattached, is decisive. Non-attachment does not mean indifference or carelessness; it means complete engagement in the act together with a mind not bound to results. A lamp gives light without becoming the owner who clutches the glow.

Shankara praises such a Karma Yogi as superior to the one in sham renunciation, saying that he purifies the mind by action and thus becomes fit for knowledge. For Ramanuja, selfless action with control of mind and senses is a direct means to realisation of the Self.

The Lord's message, then, is that practice begins with mastery of the mind, not with abandonment of work. One who is disciplined within and active without is living fully.

Context

After criticising in 3.6 the person who is a renunciate outwardly and an enjoyer inwardly, the Lord now praises the opposite type, the true Karma Yogi. This is the first clear definition of Karma Yoga in the chapter.

Life lesson

A life of mastered mind and wholehearted action is the finest. Neither flee from your work nor cling to its fruits.

Key terms

Karma Yoga: the yoga of performing duty with non-attachment
Asakta: free from attachment to action and its fruit
Niyamya: having controlled, restrained