Simple explanation, in English, of the important verses in Chapter 3 of Bhagavad Gita.

1. Gems ofBhagavad Gita
T. K. G. NAMBOODHIRI
THIRUVALLA, KERALA
INDIA

2. BHAGAVAD GITA – THE DIVINE
SONG-An Introduction
 Bhagavad Gita-Part of the
Sanskrit Epic
Mahabhaaratha.(200 BC to 200
AD)
 700 verses in 18 chapters.
 A conversation between Lord
Krishna and his close friend
Arjuna in the middle of the
battlefield just before the start
of the Kurukshetra battle.
 Arjuna loses his heart and
refuses to fight his teachers
and relatives, and Krishna
revives him by his wise words
of wisdom.
TKG Namboodhiri

3. Gems
of
Bhagavad Gita
CHAPTER 3
KARMA YOGA
THE YOGA OF ACTION
TKG Namboodhiri

4. Gems
of
Bhagavad Gita
NAHI KASCHITH KSHANAMAPI JATHU
THISHTATHYAKARMAKRITH , KAARYATHE’
HYAVASAH KARMA SARVAH
PRAKRITHIJAIRGUNAIH.-(3-5)
None can remain completely inactive for
even a moment. All, being dependent, are
made to work by the three constituents
of nature.
TKG Namboodhiri

5. Gems
of
Bhagavad Gita
YATWINDRIYAANI MANASAA NIYAMYAARABHATHE’
ARJUNA, KARMENDRIYIIH KARMAYOGAMASAKTHAH
SA VISISHYATHE’.- (3-7)
One, who controlling the organs of sense
and action by will, and remaining
unattached, performs his duties, is said to
excel.
TKG Namboodhiri

6. Gems
of
Bhagavad Gita
NIYATHAM KURU KARMA THWAM KARMA
JYAAYO HYAKARMANAH, SAREERAYAATHRAAPI
CHA THE’ NA PRASIDHYE’DAKARMANA.-(3-8)
Always perform your allotted duty;
for action is superior to inaction.
Indeed, even life in the body is
impossible without working.
TKG Namboodhiri

7. Gems
of
Bhagavad Gita
YAJNAARTHAAL KARMANO ANYATHRA LOKO AYAM
KARMABANDHAH, THADARTHAM KARMA
KAUNTHE’YA MUKTHASANGAH SAMAACHARA. –
(3-9)
The whole world is bound by work other
than those done as sacrifice. So perform
your duty efficiently without
attachment, as a sacrifice.
TKG Namboodhiri

8. Gems
of
Bhagavad Gita
THASMAADASAKTHAH SATHATHAM KAARYAM
KARMA SAMAACHARA , ASAKTHO HYAACHARAN
KARMA PARAMAAPNOTHI P00RUSHA.- (3-19)
Always do your work without
attachment; for, One who does his
work with detachment attains the
state of supreme bliss.(God).
TKG Namboodhiri

9. Gems
of
Bhagavad Gita
PRAKRITHE’H KRIYAMAANAANI GUNAIH KARMAANI
SARVASAH.-(3-27)
GUNAA GUNE’SHU VARTHANTHA ITHI MATHWA NA
SAJJATHE’.-(3-28).
Always work is done by the three constituents
of nature (Gunas) (& not by you). Constituents
are operating amidst constituents, & so do not
attach yourself to your work.
TKG Namboodhiri

10. Gems
of
Bhagavad Gita
INDRIYASYE’NDRIYASYAARTHE’ RAGADWESHOW
VYAVASTHITHOW, THAYORNA VASAMAAGACHCHE’TH
THOW HYASYA PARIPANTHINOW.- (3-34)
Attraction & repulsion are rooted in sense
objects. One should not be swayed by
these two because they are the main road
blocks to one’s liberation.
TKG Namboodhiri

11. Gems
of
Bhagavad Gita
KAAMA ESHA KRODHA ESHA RAJOGUNA
SAMUDBHAVAH, MAHASANO MAHAPAAPMA
VIDHYENAMIHA VYRINAAM.- (3-37)
Desire & anger are born of the constituent
Rajas. They are insatiable and grossly
wicked. Know them to be enemies of
spiritual progress.
TKG Namboodhiri

12. Gems
of
Bhagavad Gita
AAVRUTHAM JNAANAMETHE’NA JNAANINO NITHYA
VYRINA; KAAMAROOPE’NA KAUNTHE’YA
DUSHPOORE’NA ANALE’NA CHA.- (3-39)
Knowledge stands covered by
desire, which is insatiable like fire, and
the eternal enemy of the wise.
TKG Namboodhiri

13. Gems
of
Bhagavad Gita
INDRIYAANI MANO BUDHIR
ASYAADHISHTAANAM UCHYATHE’, E’THAIR
VIMOHAYATHYE’SHA JNAANAMAAVRYTHYA
DE’HINUM.- (3-40)
The senses, mind & intellect are said to be
the abode of desire. By means of these, it
obscures knowledge & deludes the
embodied soul.
TKG Namboodhiri

14. Gems
of
Bhagavad Gita
THASMAATHWAMINDRIYAANYAADOW NIYAMYA
BHARATHARSHABHA, PAAPMAANAM PRAJAHI
HYE’NAM JNANA VIJNANA NAASANAM.- (3-41)
Therefore, Arjuna, first controlling the
senses, kill the evil desire which destroys
true knowledge and realization.
TKG Namboodhiri

15. Gems
of
Bhagavad Gita
INDRIYAANI PARAANYAHU RINDRIYE’BHYAH PARAM
MANAH, MANASASTHU PARAA BUDHIRYO BUDHE’
PARATHASTHU SAH. (3-42)
Senses are superior to our body, mind is
superior to senses & intellect is superior
to mind. Even superior to intellect is the
Soul.
TKG Namboodhiri

16. Gems
of
Bhagavad Gita
EVAM BUDHE’H PARAM BUDHWA SAMSTHA-
BHYAATMAANAMAATMANAA, JAHI SATHRUM
MAHABAAHO KAAMAROOPAM DURAASADAM.-
(3-43)
Thus knowing the Soul to be superior to
intellect, subdue the mind by
reasoning, & kill desire which is the hard-
to-overcome enemy.
TKG Namboodhiri