Karma Yoga

Swami SivanandaArjuna said: If Thou thinkest that knowledge is superior to action, O Krishna, why then, O Kesava, doest Thou ask me to engage in this terrible action?

Swami GambiranandaArjuna said, "O Janardana (Krishna), if it is Your opinion that wisdom is superior to action, why do You urge me to take such horrible action, O Kesava?"

Swami AdidevanandaArjuna said, "O Krsna, if you deem knowledge to be superior to action, why then do you urge me to engage in this terrible deed?"

Dr. S. SankaranarayanArjuna said, "O Janardana, if you hold knowledge to be superior to action, then why do you engage me in such terrible action, O Kesava?"

Shri Purohit SwamiArjuna questioned: My Lord! If wisdom is superior to action, why do you advise me to engage in this terrible fight?

Swami SivanandaWith this seemingly perplexing speech, you seem to be confusing my understanding; therefore, tell me one certain way by which I may attain bliss.

Swami GambiranandaYou bewilder my understanding, as it were, with a seemingly conflicting statement! Tell me for certain which one of these I may use to attain the highest Good.

Swami AdidevanandaYou confuse my mind with statements that seem to contradict each other; tell me for certain the one way by which I could reach the highest good.

Dr. S. SankaranarayanYou seem to be confounding my intellect with Your seemingly confusing speech. Therefore, tell me with certainty that one thing by which I may attain the good (emancipation).

Shri Purohit SwamiYour language confuses me and confounds my reason. Therefore, please tell me the only way by which I can, without doubt, secure my spiritual welfare.

Swami SivanandaThe Blessed Lord said, "In this world, there is a twofold path, as I said before, O sinless one: the path of knowledge of the Sankhyas and the path of action of the Yogins."

Swami GambiranandaThe Blessed Lord said, O unblemished one, two kinds of steadfastness in this world were spoken of by Me in days gone by—through the Yoga of Knowledge for the men of realization; through the Yoga of Action for the yogis.

Swami AdidevanandaThe Lord said, "In this world, a two-fold way was of yore laid down by Me, O sinless one: Jnana Yoga for the Sankhyas and Karma Yoga for the Yogins."

Dr. S. SankaranarayanThe Bhagavat said, "The two-fold path in this world—the one with Yoga of knowledge for men of reflection and the other with Yoga of action for men of Yoga—has been declared by Me to be one, O sinless one!"

Shri Purohit SwamiLord Shri Krishna replied: In this world, as I have said, there is a twofold path, O sinless one! There is the path of wisdom for those who meditate, and the path of action for those who work.

Swami SivanandaMan does not reach actionlessness by not performing actions; nor does he attain perfection by mere renunciation.

Swami GambiranandaA person does not attain freedom from action by abstaining from action; nor does he attain fulfillment merely through renunciation.

Swami AdidevanandaNo one experiences freedom from action (Naiskarmya) by abstaining from work; and no one ever attains success through mere renunciation of work.

Dr. S. SankaranarayanA person attains actionlessness not just by abstaining from actions, but also by renunciation, he attains success (emancipation).

Shri Purohit SwamiNo one can attain freedom from action by abstaining from action, nor can they reach perfection by simply not acting.

Swami SivanandaVerily, no one can remain for even a moment without performing action; for everyone is made to act helplessly, indeed, by the qualities born of Nature.

Swami GambiranandaFor no one ever remains even for a moment without doing work, for all are made to work under compulsion by the gunas born of Nature.

Swami AdidevanandaNo one can remain still for even a moment without doing work; for everyone is compelled to act, despite themselves, by the Gunas born of Nature.

Dr. S. SankaranarayanFor, no one can ever remain, even for a moment, as a non-performer of action; because everyone, not being master of themselves, is forced to perform action by the strands born of the Prakriti (Material cause).

Shri Purohit SwamiHe cannot remain inactive even for a moment, for the qualities of Nature will compel him to act, whether he wills it or not.

Swami SivanandaHe who, restraining the organs of action, sits thinking of the sense-objects in his mind, he of deluded understanding is called a hypocrite.

Swami GambiranandaOne who, after withdrawing the organs of action, sits mentally recollecting the objects of the senses, is called a hypocrite, for they have a deluded mind.

Swami AdidevanandaHe who, controlling the organs of action, lets his mind dwell on the objects of the senses, is a deluded person and a hypocrite.

Dr. S. SankaranarayanControlling their organs of action, whoever sits with their mind pondering over sense objects—that person is a man of deluded soul and is called a man of deluded action.

Shri Purohit SwamiHe who remains motionless, refusing to act, yet brooding over sensuous objects, is that deluded soul simply a hypocrite.

Swami SivanandaBut whoever, controlling the senses by the mind, O Arjuna, engages himself in Karma Yoga with the organs of action, without attachment, he excels.

Swami GambiranandaBut, O Arjuna, one who engages in Karma-yoga, controlling the organs of action with the mind and becoming unattached, excels.

Swami AdidevanandaBut he who, subduing his senses by the mind, O Arjuna, begins to practice Karma Yoga through the organs of action and who is free from attachment, excels.

Dr. S. SankaranarayanBut, controlling the sense-organs with the mind, whoever undertakes the Yoga of action with the action-senses, he, the detached one, is superior, O Arjuna!

Shri Purohit SwamiBut, O Arjuna! All honor to him whose mind controls his senses, for he is thereby beginning to practice Karma-Yoga, the Path of Right Action, keeping himself always unattached.

Swami SivanandaPerform your bounden duty, for action is superior to inaction, and even the maintenance of the body would not be possible for you through inaction.

Swami GambiranandaYou should perform your obligatory duties, for action is superior to inaction. Moreover, even the maintenance of your body will not be possible without action.

Swami AdidevanandaYou must perform your obligatory action; for action is superior to non-action (Jñāna Yoga). For a person following non-action, not even the sustenance of the body is possible.

Dr. S. SankaranarayanYou must perform the action that has been enjoined upon you. For, action is superior to inaction; and even the maintenance of your body cannot be properly accomplished through inaction.

Shri Purohit SwamiDo your duty as prescribed, for action for duty's sake is superior to inaction. Even the maintenance of the body would be impossible if one remained inactive.

Swami SivanandaThe world is bound by actions other than those performed for the sake of sacrifice; do thou, therefore, O son of Kunti (Arjuna), perform actions for that sake alone, free from attachment.

Swami GambiranandaThis man becomes bound by actions other than those intended for God. Without being attached, O son of Kunti, perform actions for Him.

Swami AdidevanandaThis world is held in the bondage of work only when work is not performed as a sacrifice. O Arjuna, you must perform work for this purpose, free from attachment.

Dr. S. SankaranarayanThe world is fettered by action which is different from Yajna-action; therefore, O son of Kunti, free from attachment, perform Yajna-action properly.

Shri Purohit SwamiIn this world, people are fettered by their actions, unless they are performed as a sacrifice. Therefore, O Arjuna, let your actions be done without attachment, as a sacrifice only.

Swami SivanandaThe Creator, having in the beginning created mankind together with sacrifice, said, "By this shall you propagate; let this be the milch cow of your desires—the cow that yields all the desired objects."

Swami GambiranandaIn days of yore, having created the beings together with the sacrifices, Prajapati said, "By this, you shall multiply. Let this be your yielder of coveted objects of desire."

Swami AdidevanandaIn the beginning, the Lord of all beings created man along with the sacrifice and said, "By this shall you prosper; this shall be the cow of plenty, granting all your desires."

Dr. S. SankaranarayanHaving created creatures formerly [at the time of creation], together with the necessary action, the Lord of creatures declared: "By means of this, you shall propagate yourselves; and let this be your wish-fulfilling cow."

Shri Purohit SwamiIn the beginning, when God created all beings through the sacrifice of Himself, He said to them: "You can procreate through sacrifice, and it shall satisfy all your desires."

Swami SivanandaWith this, nourish the gods, and may the gods nourish you; thus, nourishing each other, you shall attain the highest good.

Swami Gambirananda'You nourish the gods with this. Let those gods nourish you in return. By mutually nourishing each other, you shall attain the supreme Good.'

Swami AdidevanandaBy this, please the gods, and they will support you. Thus, nourishing each other, you may obtain the highest good.

Dr. S. Sankaranarayan'You should gratify the devas with this, and let the devas gratify you; thus, mutually gratifying each other, you will attain the highest good.'

Shri Purohit SwamiWorship the powers of Nature, and let them nourish you in return; thus, supporting each other, you shall attain your highest welfare.

Swami SivanandaThe gods, nourished by the sacrifice, will give you the desired objects. So, he who enjoys the objects given by the gods without offering anything in return is indeed a thief.

Swami Gambirananda'Being nourished by sacrifices, the gods will indeed give you the coveted enjoyments. He is certainly a thief who enjoys what has been given by them without offering it to them.'

Swami AdidevanandaThe gods, pleased by the sacrifice, will bestow upon you the enjoyments you desire. He who enjoys the bounty of the gods without giving them anything in return is but a thief.

Dr. S. SankaranarayanThe devas, gratified with necessary action, will grant you the things sacrificed. Therefore, whoever enjoys their gifts without offering them to these devas is surely a thief.

Shri Purohit SwamiFor, fed by sacrifice, nature will give you all the enjoyment you desire. But he who enjoys what she gives without returning is, indeed, a thief.

Swami SivanandaThe righteous who eat the remnants of the sacrifice are freed from all sins; but those sinful ones who cook food solely for their own sake indeed consume sin.

Swami GambiranandaBy partaking in the remnants of sacrifices, they become freed from all sins. But those who are unholy and cook for themselves incur sin.

Swami AdidevanandaPious people who eat the remnants of sacrifices are freed from all sins, whereas those who are sinful and cook only for their own sake will only incur sin.

Dr. S. SankaranarayanThe righteous persons, who eat the remnants of the actions to be performed necessarily, are freed from all sins. But those who cook, intending for their own selves, are sinners and consume sin.

Shri Purohit SwamiThe sages who enjoy the food that remains after the sacrifice is made are freed from all sins; whereas, the selfish who spread their feast only for themselves feed on sin alone.

Swami SivanandaFrom food come forth beings; from rain, food is produced; from sacrifice arises rain, and sacrifice is born of action.

Swami GambiranandaFrom food are born the creatures; the origin of food is from rain; rain originates from sacrifice; sacrifice has action as its source.

Swami AdidevanandaAll beings arise from food; food is produced from rain; rain comes from sacrifice; and sacrifice is born of action.

Dr. S. SankaranarayanFrom food arise the things that are born; from the rain-cloud the food arises; from the sacrifice the rain-cloud arises; the sacrifice arises from action.

Shri Purohit SwamiAll creatures are the product of food; food is the product of rain; rain comes from sacrifice, and sacrifice is the noblest form of action.

Swami SivanandaKnow that action comes from Brahma, and Brahma comes from the Imperishable. Therefore, the all-pervasive Brahma ever rests in sacrifice.

Swami GambiranandaKnow that action has the Vedas as its origin; the Vedas have the Immutable as their source. Hence, the all-pervading Vedas are forever based on sacrifice.

Swami AdidevanandaKnow that activity springs from Brahman, i.e., the physical body; Brahman arises from the imperishable Self; therefore, the all-pervading Brahman is ever established in sacrifice.

Dr. S. SankaranarayanAction arises from the Brahman; you should know this; the Brahman arises from that which does not stream forth; therefore, the all-pervading Brahman is permanently based on the sacrifice.

Shri Purohit SwamiAll actions originate from the Supreme Spirit, which is Imperishable, and in sacrificial actions, the all-pervasive Spirit is consciously present.

Swami SivanandaHe who does not follow the wheel thus set in motion, who is of sinful life, rejoicing in the senses, lives in vain, O Arjuna.

Swami GambiranandaO Partha, he who does not follow the wheel thus set in motion lives in vain, their life is sinful, and they indulge in the senses.

Swami AdidevanandaHe who does not follow the wheel thus set in motion here, lives in sin, satisfying the senses, O Arjuna; he lives in vain.

Dr. S. SankaranarayanWhoever does not keep the wheel of life rolling, which has been set in motion in this world, is a man of sinful life, rejoicing in the senses; and he lives in vain, O son of Prtha!

Shri Purohit SwamiThus, he who does not help the revolving wheel of sacrifice, but instead leads a sinful life, rejoicing in the gratification of his senses, O Arjuna, is breathing in vain.

Swami SivanandaBut for that man who rejoices only in the Self, who is satisfied with the Self and is content in the Self alone, indeed there is nothing to do.

Swami GambiranandaBut that man who rejoices only in the Self, is satisfied with the Self, and is content only in the Self—for him there is no duty to perform.

Swami AdidevanandaBut the man whose delight is only in the Self, who is satisfied with the Self, who rejoices in the Self, for him nothing remains to be accomplished.

Dr. S. SankaranarayanBut the man who simply rejoices in the Self, is satisfied in the Self, and delights in the Self alone—there exists no action for him to be performed.

Shri Purohit SwamiOn the other hand, the soul who meditates on the Self is content to serve the Self and rests satisfied in the Self; there is nothing more for them to accomplish.

Swami SivanandaFor him, there is no interest whatsoever in what is done or not done; nor does he depend on any being for any purpose.

Swami GambiranandaFor him, there is no concern here at all with performing action, nor any with non-performance. Moreover, he has no dependence on any object to serve any purpose.

Swami AdidevanandaHe has no purpose to gain from work done or left undone, nor does he have to rely on any end.

Dr. S. SankaranarayanNo purpose is served for him by what he has done or by what he has not done. For him, there is hardly any dependence on any purpose among all beings.

Shri Purohit SwamiHe has nothing to gain from the performance or non-performance of action; his welfare does not depend on any contribution that an earthly creature can make.

Swami SivanandaTherefore, without attachment, always perform the actions that should be done; for by performing actions without attachment, one reaches the Supreme.

Swami GambiranandaTherefore, remaining unattached, always perform the obligatory duty; for, by performing one's duty without attachment, a person attains the highest.

Swami AdidevanandaTherefore, do your work without attachment, which ought to be done. For, a person who works without attachment attains the Supreme.

Dr. S. SankaranarayanTherefore, always remaining unattached, you should perform the action that is to be performed; for, the person performing action without attachment attains the Supreme.

Shri Purohit SwamiTherefore, do your duty perfectly, without worrying about the results, for he who does his duty without attachment attains the Supreme.

Swami SivanandaJanaka and others attained perfection indeed through action alone; even with the intention of protecting the masses, you should perform action.

Swami GambiranandaFor Janaka and others strove to attain liberation through action itself. You should perform your duties, keeping in view the prevention of mankind from going astray.

Swami AdidevanandaIndeed, Janaka and others reached perfection through Karma Yoga alone. Even recognizing its necessity for guiding the world, you must perform action.

Dr. S. SankaranarayanJanaka and others attained emancipation through action alone. Moreover, you should act with the intention of upholding the world.

Shri Purohit SwamiKing Janaka and others attained perfection through action alone. Even for the sake of enlightening the world, it is your duty to act.

Swami SivanandaWhatever a great man does, others also do; whatever he establishes as the standard, the world follows.

Swami GambiranandaWhatever a superior person does, another person does the same! Whatever they uphold as authority, an ordinary person follows that.

Swami AdidevanandaWhatever a great man does, others do too. Whatever standard he sets, the world follows it.

Dr. S. SankaranarayanWhatever a great man does, others of lesser stature follow suit; whatever standard he sets, the world follows it.

Shri Purohit SwamiFor whatever a great man does, others imitate; people conform to the standard he has set.

Swami SivanandaThere is nothing in the three worlds, O Arjuna, that needs to be done by Me, nor is there anything unattained that needs to be attained; yet I engage Myself in action.

Swami GambiranandaIn all the three worlds, O Partha, there is no duty for Me to fulfill; nothing remains unachieved or to be achieved. (Still,) I continue in action.

Swami AdidevanandaFor me, Arjuna, there is nothing in all the three worlds that ought to be done, nor is there anything unaccomplished that ought to be accomplished. Yet I continue to work.

Dr. S. SankaranarayanO son of Prtha! For Me, there is nothing to be done in the three worlds, nor is there anything yet to be attained; and yet I am engaged in action.

Shri Purohit SwamiThere is nothing in this universe, O Arjuna, that I am compelled to do, nor anything for me to attain; yet I persistently remain active.

Swami SivanandaFor, should I not ever engage myself in action, unwearied, people would in every way follow my path, O Arjuna.

Swami GambiranandaFor, O Partha, if at any time I do not continue vigilantly in action, people will follow My path in every way.

Swami AdidevanandaIf I did not continue to work unweariedly, O Arjuna, people would follow my path.

Dr. S. SankaranarayanFor, if I were ever not to work unwearied, all men would follow My path, O son of Prtha!

Shri Purohit SwamiWere I not to act without ceasing, O prince, people would be inclined to do the same.

Swami SivanandaThese worlds would perish if I did not perform action; I would be the author of confusion of castes and destruction of these beings.

Swami GambiranandaThese worlds would be ruined if I did not perform action. And I shall become the agent of intermingling (of castes), and shall be destroying these beings.

Swami AdidevanandaIf I do not do the work, these people will be lost; and I will be causing chaos in life and thereby ruining all these people.

Dr. S. SankaranarayanThese worlds would perish if I were not to perform action; and I would be the cause of confusion; I would destroy these people.

Shri Purohit SwamiAnd if I were to refrain from action, the human race would be ruined; I would lead the world to chaos, and destruction would follow.

Swami SivanandaAs the ignorant act out of attachment to action, O Bharata, so should the wise act without attachment, wishing for the welfare of the world.

Swami GambiranandaO scion of the Bharata dynasty, as the unenlightened people act with attachment to work, so should the enlightened person act, without attachment, desiring to prevent people from going astray.

Swami AdidevanandaJust as the ignorant, attached to their work, act, O Arjuna, so too the learned should act without any attachment, and only for the welfare of the world.

Dr. S. SankaranarayanTherefore, just as the unwise persons, being attached to action, do, O son of Prtha, so the wise should perform, but being unattached and desiring to hold the world together.

Shri Purohit SwamiAs the ignorant act, out of their fondness for action, so should the wise act without attachment, fixing their eyes, O Arjuna, only on the welfare of the world.

Swami SivanandaLet no wise man unsettle the minds of ignorant people who are attached to action; he should engage them in all actions, himself fulfilling them with devotion.

Swami GambiranandaThe enlightened man should not disturb the beliefs of the ignorant, who are attached to work. He should remain diligent himself and make them perform all their duties.

Swami AdidevanandaHe should not bewilder the minds of the ignorant who are attached to work; rather, he should himself perform work with devotion and cause others to do the same.

Dr. S. SankaranarayanLet the wise master of Yoga fulfill (or destroy) all actions by performing them all, and let him not create any disturbance in the minds of the ignorant persons attached to action.

Shri Purohit SwamiBut a wise man should not disturb the minds of the ignorant, who are attached to action; let him perform his own actions in the right spirit, with concentration on Me, thus inspiring all others to do the same.

Swami SivanandaAll actions are wrought in all cases by the qualities of Nature alone. He whose mind is deluded by egoism thinks, "I am the doer."

Swami GambiranandaWhile actions are being done in every way by the gunas (qualities) of Nature, one who is deluded by egoism thinks, "I am the doer."

Swami AdidevanandaActions are being performed in every way by the Gunas of Prakrti; he whose nature is deluded by egoism, however, thinks, 'I am the doer.'

Dr. S. SankaranarayanThe actions are performed part by part by the strands of Prakriti; yet, the person, having his self (mind) deluded with egoity, imagines, 'I am the sole doer.'

Shri Purohit SwamiAction is the product of the qualities inherent in nature. It is only the ignorant man who, misled by personal egotism, says, "I am the doer."

Swami SivanandaBut he who knows the Truth, O mighty-armed Arjuna, about the divisions of the qualities and their functions, knowing that the Gunas, as senses, move amidst the Gunas, as the sense-objects, is not attached.

Swami GambiranandaBut, O mighty-armed one, the one who is a knower of the facts about the varieties of the gunas and actions does not become attached, thinking thus: 'The organs act on the objects of the organs.'

Swami AdidevanandaBut he who knows the truth about the division of the Gunas and works, O mighty-armed one, through his knowledge that the Gunas 'operate on their own products,' is not attached.

Dr. S. SankaranarayanBut, O mighty-armed one, the one who knows the true nature of the strands and their respective divisions of work, realizes: 'The strands are in their respective purposes.' And thus, he is not attached.

Shri Purohit SwamiBut he, O Mighty One, who correctly understands the relationship between the Qualities and action, is not attached to the act, for he perceives that it is merely the action and reaction of the Qualities among themselves.

Swami SivanandaThose deluded by the qualities of Nature are attached to the functions of the qualities. The man of perfect knowledge should not unsettle the foolish one who is of imperfect knowledge.

Swami GambiranandaThose who are completely deluded by the gunas of Nature become attached to the activities of the gunas. The one who knows the All should not disturb those of dull intellect, who do not know the All.

Swami AdidevanandaThose who are deluded by the Gunas of Prakrti are attached to the works of the Gunas. But he who knows the whole truth should not disturb the ignorant who do not know the whole truth.

Dr. S. SankaranarayanMen, completely deluded by the strands of Prakrti, are attached to the actions of those strands. Those who know fully should not confuse them, whereas the dullards who do not know fully.

Shri Purohit SwamiThose who do not understand the qualities are interested in the act; however, the wise man who knows the truth should not disturb the mind of those who do not.

Swami SivanandaRenouncing all actions in Me, with the mind centered on the Self, free from hope and egoism, and from mental fever, fight thou.

Swami GambiranandaFree from the fever of the soul, dedicate all actions to Me, with your mind intent on the Self, and become free from expectations and egoism, and engage in battle.

Swami AdidevanandaSurrender all your actions to Me, with a mind focused on the Self, free from desire and selfishness, and fight with the heat of excitement abated.

Dr. S. SankaranarayanRenouncing all actions in Me, with a mind that concentrates on the Self; being free from the act of resting and from the sense of possession; and consequently being free from mental fever; you should fight.

Shri Purohit SwamiTherefore, surrender your actions to Me, keep your thoughts focused on the Absolute, free from selfishness and without expecting a reward, with a mind free from excitement, begin to fight.

Swami SivanandaThose who constantly practice this teaching of Mine with faith and without caviling, they too are freed from actions.

Swami GambiranandaThose who faithfully follow this teaching of Mine without cavil, they too become freed from their actions.

Swami AdidevanandaThose men who, full of faith, ever practice this teaching of Mine and those who receive it without cavil—even they are released from karma.

Dr. S. SankaranarayanThose who constantly follow this doctrine of Mine, with faith and without finding fault, are freed from the results of all actions.

Shri Purohit SwamiThose who always act in accordance with My precepts, firmly in faith and without caviling, they too are freed from the bondage of action.

Swami SivanandaBut those who criticize My teaching and do not practice it, deprived of all knowledge and lacking discernment, know them to be doomed to destruction.

Swami GambiranandaBut those who, finding fault where there is none, do not follow My teaching, know them—who are deluded about all knowledge concerning the qualified and the unqualified Brahman and who are devoid of discrimination—to have gone to ruin.

Swami AdidevanandaBut those who slander it, and those who do not practice this teaching of Mine—know them to be utterly senseless and devoid of all knowledge, and thus lost.

Dr. S. SankaranarayanBut those who, finding fault, do not follow this doctrine of Mine - be sure that these men are highly deluded in all branches of knowledge and are lost and brainless.

Shri Purohit SwamiBut they who ridicule My word and do not observe it, are ignorant, devoid of wisdom, and blind. They seek only their own destruction.

Swami SivanandaEven a wise man acts in accordance with his own nature; beings will follow their nature; what can restraint do?

Swami GambiranandaEven a man of wisdom behaves according to his own nature. They follow their nature. What can restraint do?

Swami AdidevanandaEven the man of knowledge acts according to his nature; all beings follow their own nature. What will repression accomplish?

Dr. S. SankaranarayanEven a man of knowledge acts in accordance with his own Prakriti; the elements return to Prakriti; what will restraint avail?

Shri Purohit SwamiEven the wise man acts in accordance with his nature; indeed, all creatures act according to their natures. What is the use of compulsion then?

Swami SivanandaAttachment and aversion for the objects of the senses abide in the senses; let no one come under their sway; for, they are his enemies.

Swami GambiranandaAttraction and repulsion are ordained with respect to the objects of all the organs. One should not be swayed by these two, as they are adversaries.

Swami AdidevanandaEach sense has a fixed attachment to and aversion for its corresponding object, but one should not come under their sway, for they are enemies.

Dr. S. SankaranarayanFor a man of worldly life, there are clearly fixed likes and dislikes with regard to the objects of each of his sense organs. These are the obstacles for him; the wise would not come under their control.

Shri Purohit SwamiThe love and hate that are aroused by the objects of sense arise from Nature; do not yield to them, as they only obstruct the path.

Swami SivanandaBetter is one's own duty, though devoid of merit, than the duty of another well discharged. Better is death in one's own duty; the duty of another is fraught with fear.

Swami GambiranandaOne's own duty, though defective, is superior to another's duty well-performed. Death is better while engaged in one's own duty; another's duty is full of fear.

Swami AdidevanandaBetter is one's own duty, even if done poorly, than the duty of another done well. It is better to die while performing one's own duty; the duty of another is full of fear.

Dr. S. SankaranarayanBetter is one's own duty, even if it lacks merit, than the well-performed duty of another; it is better to suffer ruin in one's own duty than to gain success in another's.

Shri Purohit SwamiIt is better to do one's own duty, however lacking in merit, than to do that of another, even though efficiently. It is better to die doing one's own duty, for doing the duty of another is fraught with danger.

Swami SivanandaArjuna said, "But what compels man to commit sin, even against his wishes, O Varshneya (Krishna), as if constrained by force?"

Swami GambiranandaArjuna said, "Now then, O scion of the Vrsni dynasty (Krsna), what compels this man to commit sin even against his will, as if he were constrained by force?"

Swami AdidevanandaArjuna said, "But, O Krsna, what impels one to commit sin, even against their own will, as if constrained by force?"

Dr. S. SankaranarayanArjuna said, "Then, what induces this person of the world to commit sin, even though they do not desire it, as if they are being overpowered by a force?"

Shri Purohit SwamiArjuna asked, "My Lord, what is it that drives a person to sin, even against their will and as if by compulsion?"

Swami SivanandaThe Blessed Lord said, "It is desire and it is anger, both of the quality of Rajas, all-devouring and all-sinful; know this as the foe here in this world."

Swami GambiranandaThe Blessed Lord said, "This desire, this anger, born of the quality of rajas, is a great devourer, a great source of sin. Know this to be the enemy here."

Swami AdidevanandaThe Lord said, "It is desire, it is wrath, born of the guna of rajas; it is a great devourer, an impeller of sin. Know this to be the enemy here."

Dr. S. SankaranarayanThe Bhagavat said, "This desire, this wrath, born of the Rajas-strand, is a swallower of festivity and a mighty bestower of sins. Know this to be the enemy here."

Shri Purohit SwamiLord Shri Krishna: It is desire, it is aversion, born of passion. Desire consumes and corrupts all things. It is the greatest enemy of man.

Swami SivanandaAs fire is enveloped by smoke, as a mirror is covered by dust, and as an embryo is surrounded by the amniotic sac, so is this enveloped by that.

Swami GambiranandaAs fire is enveloped by smoke, as a mirror is obscured by dirt, and as a fetus remains enclosed in the womb, so is this shrouded by that.

Swami AdidevanandaAs a fire is enveloped by smoke, as a mirror is covered by dust, and as an embryo is encased in the amniotic sac, so is this world enveloped by desire.

Dr. S. SankaranarayanAs fire is concealed by smoke, a mirror by dirt, and an embryo by its membrane-cover, so He is concealed by this foe.

Shri Purohit SwamiAs fire is shrouded by smoke, a mirror is covered by dust, and a child is enveloped by the womb, so is the universe enveloped in desire.

Swami SivanandaO Arjuna, wisdom is enveloped by this constant enemy of the wise, in the form of desire, which is insatiable like fire.

Swami GambiranandaO son of Kunti, knowledge is covered by this constant enemy of the wise, in the form of desire, which is an insatiable fire.

Swami AdidevanandaThe knowledge of the intelligent self is enveloped by this constant enemy, O Arjuna, which is of the nature of desire and is difficult to gratify and insatiable.

Dr. S. SankaranarayanO son of Kunti! The knowledge of the wise is concealed by this eternal foe, which appears desirable yet is insatiable like fire.

Shri Purohit SwamiIt is the wise man's constant enemy; it tarnishes the face of wisdom, being as insatiable as a flame of fire.

Swami SivanandaThe senses, the mind, and the intellect are said to be its seat; through these, it deludes the embodied one, veiling their wisdom.

Swami GambiranandaThe organs, mind, and intellect are said to be its abode. This one diversely deludes the embodied being, veiling Knowledge with the help of these.

Swami AdidevanandaThe senses, the mind, and the intellect are said to be its instruments; by these, it overpowers the embodied self, enveloping its knowledge.

Dr. S. SankaranarayanIt is said to be based on the sense-organs, the mind, and the intellect. With these, it deludes the embodied by concealing knowledge.

Shri Purohit SwamiIt works through the senses, the mind, and the reason; and with their help, it destroys wisdom and confounds the soul.

Swami SivanandaTherefore, O best of the Bharatas, control your senses first and then kill this sinful thing, which destroys knowledge and realization.

Swami GambiranandaTherefore, O scion of the Bharata dynasty, after first controlling the organs, completely renounce this one which is sinful and a destroyer of learning and wisdom.

Swami AdidevanandaTherefore, O Arjuna, control your senses from the outset and slay this sinful thing that destroys both knowledge and discernment.

Dr. S. SankaranarayanTherefore, O best among the Bharatas, you must avoid this sinful one, destroying knowledge and action, by controlling completely the sense-organs in the beginning itself.

Shri Purohit SwamiTherefore, O Arjuna, first control your senses and then slay desire, for it is full of sin and is the destroyer of knowledge and wisdom.

Swami SivanandaThey say that the senses are superior to the body; the mind is superior to the senses; the intellect is superior to the mind; and He (the Self) is superior even to the intellect.

Swami GambiranandaThey say that the organs are superior to the gross body; the mind is superior to the organs; and the intellect is superior to the mind. However, He is superior to the intellect.

Swami AdidevanandaThey say that the senses are high, the mind is higher than the senses, the intellect is higher than the mind, but what is greater than the intellect is that (desire).

Dr. S. SankaranarayanIt is said that the sense-organs are different from their objects; the mind is different from the sense-organs; the intellect is different from the mind; and That (Self) is different from the intellect.

Shri Purohit SwamiIt is said that the senses are powerful; however, beyond the senses is the mind, beyond the mind is the intellect, and greater than the intellect is He.

Swami SivanandaThus, knowing Him who is superior to the intellect and restraining the self by the Self, slay thou, O mighty-armed Arjuna, the enemy in the form of desire, hard to conquer.

Swami Gambirananda[The Ast, introduces this verse with, 'Tatah kim, what follows from that?'-Tr.] Understanding the Self thus as superior to the intellect, and completely establishing (the Self) through spiritual absorption with the (help of) the mind, O mighty-armed one, the enemy in the form of desire, which is difficult to subdue, vanishes.

Swami AdidevanandaThus, knowing that which is higher than the intellect and fixing the mind with the help of the intellect in Karma Yoga, O Arjuna, slay this enemy which takes the form of desire, and which is difficult to overcome.

Dr. S. SankaranarayanThus, being conscious that it is different from the intellect, and steadying the self with the self, kill the foe that is of the form of desire and that is hard to approach.

Shri Purohit SwamiThus, O Mighty-Armed One, knowing Him to be beyond the intellect, and with His help, subdue your personal ego and kill your enemy, Desire, even though it is extremely difficult.