Wisdom for Modern Life.

क्लैब्यं मा स्म गमः पार्थ नैतत्त्वय्युपपद्यते |

"Do not yield to this unmanliness, O Partha (son of Pritha), for it does not become you. Cast off this petty weakness of heart and arise, O vanquisher of foes!"

अव्यक्तोऽयमचिन्त्योऽयमविकार्योऽयमुच्यते |

"The soul is said to be unmanifest, unthinkable, and unchangeable. Therefore, knowing it as such, you should not grieve."

योगस्थः कुरु कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा धनञ्जय |

"Perform your duty with an even mind, O Arjuna, abandoning all attachment to success or failure. Such equanimity is called Yoga."

बुद्धियुक्तो जहातीह उभे सुकृतदुष्कृते |

"One who is endowed with wisdom discards both good and bad actions in this life. Therefore, strive for Yoga, which is the art of all work."

ध्यायतो विषयान्पुंसः सङ्गस्तेषूपजायते |

"While contemplating the objects of the senses, a person develops attachment to them. From attachment, desire is born; and from desire, anger arises."

आपूर्यमाणमचलप्रतिष्ठं

"Just as the ocean remains steady and undisturbed though filled by rivers pouring water into it from all sides, a person who remains undisturbed by the flow of desires entering their mind attains peace, not one who runs after desires."

न हि कश्चित्क्षणमपि जातु तिष्ठत्यकर्मकृत् |

"Indeed, no one can remain without performing actions even for a single moment. Everyone is forced to act helplessly by the modes of material nature."

तस्मादसक्तः सततं कार्यं कर्म समाचर |

"Therefore, without attachment, constantly perform the duties that ought to be done; for by performing action without attachment, a person attains the Supreme."

तत्त्ववित्तु महाबाहो गुणकर्मविभागयोः |

"But he who knows the truth, O mighty-armed one, about the respective spheres of the modes of nature and actions, realizes that the modes are merely interacting with the modes, and does not become attached."

इन्द्रियाणि मनो बुद्धिरस्याधिष्ठानमुच्यते |

"The senses, the mind, and the intellect are declared to be the seat of this desire. Through these, it covers knowledge and bewilders the embodied soul."

तस्मात्त्वमिन्द्रियाण्यादौ नियम्य भरतर्षभ |

"Therefore, O best of the Bharatas, control your senses from the very beginning, and slay this sinful destroyer of knowledge and self-realization."

इन्द्रियाणि पराण्याहुरिन्द्रियेभ्यः परं मनः |

"The senses are declared to be superior to the physical body; the mind is superior to the senses; the intellect is superior to the mind; and that which is superior to the intellect is the Self."

एवं परम्पराप्राप्तमिमं राजर्षयो विदुः |

"This science was thus passed down in continuous succession, and the royal sages understood it. But, O subduer of enemies, by the long lapse of time, this Yoga was lost to this world."

एवं ज्ञात्वा कृतं कर्म पूर्वैरपि मुमुक्षुभिः |

"Knowing this truth, the seekers of liberation in ancient times also performed action. Therefore, you should perform your duty as did the ancients in former times."

कर्मणो ह्यपि बोद्धव्यं बोद्धव्यं च विकर्मणः |

"The truth about action must be understood, and also the truth about forbidden action, as well as the truth about inaction; for the path of action is deep and mysterious."

कर्मण्यकर्म यः पश्येदकर्मणि च कर्म यः |

"He who sees inaction in action, and action in inaction, is wise among men. He is a yogi and has completed all tasks."

गतसङ्गस्य मुक्तस्य ज्ञानावस्थितचेतसः |

"For one who is unattached, liberated, whose mind is established in knowledge, and who performs work as a sacrifice, all actions dissolve completely."

ब्रह्मार्पणं ब्रह्म हविर्ब्रह्माग्नौ ब्रह्मणा हुतम् |

"The offering is Brahman; the oblation is Brahman; it is offered by Brahman in the fire of Brahman; Brahman is attained by one who is fully absorbed in Brahman-action."

श्रोत्रादीनीन्द्रियाण्यन्ये संयमाग्निषु जुह्वति |

"Some offer the hearing and other senses in the fires of restraint; while others offer sound and other sense objects in the fires of the senses."

एवं बहुविधा यज्ञा वितता ब्रह्मणो मुखे |

"In this way, many varieties of sacrifices are spread out in the mouth of Brahman (or the Vedas). Know them all to be born of action; knowing this, you shall be liberated."

नैव किञ्चित्करोमीति युक्तो मन्येत तत्त्ववित् |

"A knower of the truth, integrated in Yoga, realizes: 'I do nothing at all,' even while seeing, hearing, touching, smelling, eating, moving, sleeping, and breathing,"

प्रलपन्विसृजन्गृह्णन्नुन्मिषन्निमिषन्नपि |

"while speaking, releasing, grasping, opening and closing the eyes, realizing that it is only the senses interacting with the sense objects."

योऽन्तःसुखोऽन्तरारामस्तथान्तर्ज्योतिरेव यः |

"He who finds happiness within, who rejoices within, and who is illuminated within, is a yogi. Becoming one with Brahman, he attains supreme liberation."

कामक्रोधवियुक्तानां यतीनां यतचेतसाम् |

"For those striving seekers who are free from desire and anger, whose minds are controlled, and who have realized the Self, supreme liberation in Brahman is present all around them."

श्रीभगवानुवाच |

"The Supreme Lord said: One who performs prescribed duties without depending on the fruits of action is a sanyasi and a yogi, not the one who does not light the sacrificial fire or performs no work."

तत्रैकाग्रं मनः कृत्वा यतचित्तेन्द्रियक्रियः |

"sitting on that seat, making the mind one-pointed, with the actions of the mind and senses controlled, let him practice Yoga for the purification of the self."

यदा विनियतं चित्तमात्मन्येवावतिष्ठते |

"When the fully controlled mind remains established in the Self alone, free from all desires, at that time a person is said to be self-realized."

तं विद्याद् दुःखसंयोगवियोगं योगसंज्ञितम् |

"Let it be known that this state of severance from union with pain is called Yoga. This Yoga must be practiced with firm determination and an undepressed mind."

यतो यतो निश्चरति मनश्चञ्चलमस्थिरम् |

"Wherever the restless and unsteady mind wanders, one must bring it back under the control of the Self."

रसोऽहमप्सु कौन्तेय प्रभास्मि शशिसूर्ययोः |

"O son of Kunti, I am the taste in water, the light of the moon and the sun, the sacred syllable OM in all the Vedas, the sound in space, and the ability in human beings."

ये चैव सात्त्विका भावा राजसास्तामसाश्च ये |

"Know that all states of being—whether in the mode of goodness, passion, or ignorance—are manifested by My energy. I am not in them, but they are in Me."

त्रिभिर्गुणमयैर्भावैरेभिः सर्वमिदं जगत् |

"Bewildered by these three states composed of the modes of nature, this entire world does not know Me, who am superior to them and imperishable."

इच्छाद्वेषसमुत्थेन द्वन्द्वमोहेन भारत |

"By the delusion of dualities arising from desire and aversion, O Bharata, all living beings are led into delusion from birth, O conqueror of foes."

अनन्यचेताः सततं यो मां स्मरति नित्यशः |

"For the yogi who constantly remembers Me with single-minded devotion, I am easily attained, O Partha, because of their constant union."

भूतग्रामः स एवायं भूत्वा भूत्वा प्रलीयते |

"This same multitude of living beings, coming into existence again and again, is helplessly dissolved at the approach of night, O Partha, and manifests again at the dawn of day."

यत्र काले त्वनावृत्तिमावृत्तिं चैव योगिनः |

"I shall now declare to you, O best of the Bharatas, the times at which departing yogis depart to never return, and also the times at which they depart to return."

यथाकाशस्थितो नित्यं वायुः सर्वत्रगो महान् |

"Just as the mighty wind, blowing everywhere, always dwells in space, know that in the same manner all beings dwell in Me."

अहं क्रतुरहं यज्ञः स्वधाहमहमौषधम् |

"I am the Vedic ritual, I am the sacrifice, I am the ancestral offering, I am the healing herb. I am the sacred mantra, I am the clarified butter, I am the fire, and I am the act of offering."

यत्करोषि यदश्नासि यज्जुहोषि ददासि यत् |

"Whatever you do, whatever you eat, whatever you offer in sacrifice, whatever you give in charity, and whatever austerities you perform, O son of Kunti, do that as an offering to Me."

बुद्धिर्ज्ञानमसम्मोहः क्षमा सत्यं दमः शमः |

"Intellect, wisdom, freedom from doubt, forgiveness, truthfulness, control of the senses, control of the mind, pleasure, pain, birth, death, fear, and fearlessness..."

वेदानां सामवेदोऽस्मि देवानामस्मि वासवः |

"Among the Vedas I am the Sama Veda; among the demigods I am Indra; among the senses I am the mind; and in living beings I am consciousness."

इहैकस्थं जगत्कृत्स्नं पश्याद्य सचराचरम् |

"Behold today, O Gudakesha, the entire universe with all its moving and non-moving entities, gathered here in one place within My body, and whatever else you desire to see."

यथा प्रदीप्तं ज्वलनं पतङ्गा

"As moths rush swiftly into a blazing fire to meet their destruction, so do these worlds rush headlong into Your mouths to their own ruin."

त्वमादिदेवः पुरुषः पुराणस्-

"You are the Primeval God, the Ancient Purusha; You are the supreme sanctuary of this universe. You are the knower, the object of knowledge, and the supreme abode. By You is this universe pervaded, O Lord of infinite forms!"

अर्जुन उवाच |

"Arjuna said: Between those devotees who, ever steadfast, worship You with love, and those who worship the Imperishable, the Unmanifest—which of these are more perfect in yoga?"

श्रीभगवानुवाच |

"The Supreme Lord said: This body, O son of Kunti, is called the field (Kshetra), and he who knows it is called the knower of the field (Kshetrajna) by those who know them."

बहिरन्तश्च भूतानामचरं चरमेव च |

"It exists outside and within all living beings, both moving and non-moving. Because of its subtlety, It is incomprehensible to the material senses. It is far away, yet exceedingly near."

श्रोत्रं चक्षुः स्पर्शनं च रसनं घ्राणमेव च |

"Presiding over the ear, the eye, the sense of touch, taste, and smell, as well as the mind, he experiences the objects of the senses."

श्रीभगवानुवाच |

"The Supreme Lord said: Fearlessness, purity of mind, steadfastness in the yoga of knowledge, charity, control of the senses, sacrifice, study of the sacred scriptures, austerity, and simplicity..."

चिन्तामपरिमेयां च प्रलयान्तामुपाश्रिताः |

"Beset with immense anxieties that end only with death, they hold sensory gratification as their ultimate goal, convinced that 'this is all.'"

शरीरवाङ्मनोभिर्यत्कर्म प्रारभते नरः |

"Whatever action a person undertakes with body, speech, or mind, whether right or wrong—these five are its causes."

बुद्ध्या विशुद्धया युक्तो धृत्यात्मानं नियम्य च |

"Endowed with a purified intellect, controlling the self with resolve, abandoning the objects of the senses like sound, and casting aside attachment and aversion..."

चेतसा सर्वकर्माणि मयि संन्यस्य मत्परः |

"Mentally renouncing all actions in Me, regarding Me as the supreme goal, and taking refuge in the yoga of intellect (buddhi-yoga), fix your mind constantly on Me."

क्लैब्यं मा स्म गमः पार्थ नैतत्त्वय्युपपद्यते |

"Do not yield to this unmanliness, O Partha (son of Pritha), for it does not become you. Cast off this petty weakness of heart and arise, O vanquisher of foes!"

मात्रास्पर्शास्तु कौन्तेय शीतोष्णसुखदुःखदाः |

"O son of Kunti, the contact of the senses with their objects gives rise to cold and heat, pleasure and pain. These are transient, coming and going. Learn to tolerate them, O Bharata."

नैनं छिन्दन्ति शस्त्राणि नैनं दहति पावकः |

"Weapons cannot cut the soul, fire cannot burn it, water cannot wet it, and wind cannot dry it."

अच्छेद्योऽयमदाह्योऽयमक्लेद्योऽशोष्य एव च |

"The soul is uncleavable, incombustible, insoluble, and dryable. It is eternal, all-pervading, stable, immovable, and ancient."

अवाच्यवादांश्च बहून्वदिष्यन्ति तवाहिताः |

"Your enemies will speak many unspeakable words, mocking your strength. What could be more painful than that?"

अर्जुन उवाच |

"Arjuna said: What are the characteristics of a person of steady wisdom, who is absorbed in Samadhi, O Keshava? How does such a person of steady mind speak, how do they sit, and how do they walk?"

दुःखेष्वनुद्विग्नमनाः सुखेषु विगतस्पृहः |

"One whose mind is undisturbed in sorrow, who has no craving for pleasures, and who is free from attachment, fear, and anger, is called a sage of steady mind."

तस्माद्यस्य महाबाहो निगृहीतानि सर्वशः |

"Therefore, O mighty-armed Arjuna, one whose senses are completely restrained from their objects on all sides has their wisdom firmly established."

आपूर्यमाणमचलप्रतिष्ठं

"Just as the ocean remains steady and undisturbed though filled by rivers pouring water into it from all sides, a person who remains undisturbed by the flow of desires entering their mind attains peace, not one who runs after desires."

न कर्मणामनारम्भान्नैष्कर्म्यं पुरुषोऽश्नुते |

"A person does not attain freedom from karma merely by abstaining from work, nor does one attain perfection by renunciation alone."

यदृच्छालाभसन्तुष्टो द्वन्द्वातीतो विमत्सरः |

"Content with whatever comes naturally, free from dualities and envy, and equal in success and failure, even though performing actions, one is not bound."

इहैव तैर्जितः सर्गो येषां साम्ये स्थितं मनः |

"Even in this life, rebirth is conquered by those whose minds are established in equality. Since Brahman is flawless and equal to all, they are established in Brahman."

न प्रहृष्येत्प्रियं प्राप्य नोद्विजेत्प्राप्य चाप्रियम् |

"One should neither rejoice upon obtaining what is pleasant, nor grieve upon obtaining what is unpleasant. With steady intellect and free from delusion, the knower of Brahman is established in Brahman."

शक्नोतीहैव यः सोढुं प्राक्शरीरविमोक्षणात् |

"He who is able, here in this world, before liberating himself from the physical body, to tolerate the urges born of desire and anger, is a yogi and is a happy person."

कामक्रोधवियुक्तानां यतीनां यतचेतसाम् |

"For those striving seekers who are free from desire and anger, whose minds are controlled, and who have realized the Self, supreme liberation in Brahman is present all around them."

यदा हि नेन्द्रियार्थेषु न कर्मस्वनुषज्जते |

"A person is said to have ascended to Yoga when they have no attachment to sense objects or to actions, and have renounced all selfish desires and projections."

बन्धुरात्मात्मनस्तस्य येनात्मैवात्मना जितः |

"For one who has conquered the lower self by the higher Self, the mind is a friend. But for one who has failed to do so, the mind remains an enemy, behaving like an adversary."

जितात्मनः प्रशान्तस्य परमात्मा समाहितः |

"For one who has conquered the mind and attained tranquility, the Supreme Self is fully realized and calm in cold and heat, pleasure and pain, honor and dishonor."

सुखमात्यन्तिकं यत्तद् बुद्धिग्राह्यमतीन्द्रियम् |

"when one experiences that infinite bliss which is grasped by the intellect but lies beyond the senses, and wherein established, one never wavers from the truth;"

यं लब्ध्वा चापरं लाभं मन्यते नाधिकं ततः |

"having attained which, one considers no other gain to be superior; and established wherein, one is not shaken even by the heaviest sorrow."

तपाम्यहमहं वर्षं निगृह्णाम्युत्सृजामि च |

"I give heat, I withhold and send forth the rain. I am immortality and also death, existence and non-existence, O Arjuna."

रुद्राणां शङ्करश्चास्मि वित्तेशो यक्षरक्षसाम् |

"Among the Rudras I am Shankara; among the Yakshas and Rakshasas I am Kubera (the Lord of wealth); among the Vasus I am Agni (Fire); and among mountains I am Meru."

अनन्तश्चास्मि नागानां वरुणो यादसामहम् |

"Among the multi-headed Nagas I am Ananta (Shesha); among aquatic creatures I am Varuna; among the departed ancestors I am Aryaman; and among administrators of law I am Yama (the lord of death)."

प्रह्लादश्चास्मि दैत्यानां कालः कलयतामहम् |

"Among the Daityas (demons) I am Prahlada; among calculators I am Time; among wild beasts I am the Lion; and among birds I am Garuda (the vehicle of Vishnu)."

मृत्युः सर्वहरश्चाहमुद्भवश्च भविष्यताम् |

"I am all-devouring Death, and I am the generator of all future things. Among women I am fame, fortune, speech, memory, intelligence, steadfastness, and forgiveness."

सन्तुष्टः सततं योगी यतात्मा दृढनिश्चयः |

"He who is always content, self-controlled, possessed of firm conviction, with mind and intellect dedicated to Me—that devotee of Mine is very dear to Me."

ये तु धर्म्यामृतमिदं यथोक्तं पर्युपासते |

"But those who follow this immortal nectar of Dharma as taught above, endowed with faith, holding Me as the supreme goal—these devotees are exceedingly dear to Me."

अनादित्वान्निर्गुणत्वात्परमात्मायमव्ययः |

"Being beginningless and devoid of material qualities, this Supreme Self is imperishable. Even though dwelling within the physical body, O son of Kunti, It neither acts nor is tainted."

श्रीभगवानुवाच |

"The Supreme Lord said: I shall once again declare to you that supreme knowledge, the best of all knowledge, knowing which all the sages have attained the highest perfection after departing from this life."

समदुःखसुखः स्वस्थः समलोष्टाश्मकाञ्चनः |

"He who is equal in pleasure and pain, who is established in the Self, to whom a clod of earth, a stone, and gold are of equal value, who is identical toward the pleasant and the unpleasant, who is firm, and who is the same in praise and blame."

तेजः क्षमा धृतिः शौचमद्रोहो नातिमानिता |

"Vigor, forgiveness, fortitude, purity, absence of malice, and absence of pride—these belong to one born of a divine nature, O Bharata."

शौर्यं तेजो धृतिर्दाक्ष्यं युद्धे चाप्यपलायनम् |

"Heroism, majesty, fortitude, dexterity, courage in battle, generosity, and leadership—these constitute the natural duty of a warrior (Kshatriya)."

सहजं कर्म कौन्तेय सदोषमपि न त्यजेत् |

"One should not abandon one's innate duty, O son of Kunti, even if it is associated with defect. For all undertakings are enveloped by some defect, just as fire is covered by smoke."

नासतो विद्यते भावो नाभावो विद्यते सतः |

"The unreal has no existence, and the real never ceases to be. The truth of both has been perceived by the seers of the essence."

य एनं वेत्ति हन्तारं यश्चैनं मन्यते हतम् |

"He who thinks that the soul is the slayer, and he who thinks that the soul is slain, both of them are ignorant. The soul neither slays nor is slain."

त्रैगुण्यविषया वेदा निस्त्रैगुण्यो भवार्जुन |

"The Vedas deal mainly with the three modes of material nature. Rise above these three modes, O Arjuna. Be free from all dualities, established in absolute truth, free from anxieties of acquisition and preservation, and self-possessed."

यदा ते मोहकलिलं बुद्धिर्व्यतितरिष्यति |

"When your intellect crosses beyond the dense forest of delusion, then you will become indifferent to all that has been heard and all that is yet to be heard."

यः सर्वत्रानभिस्नेहस्तत्तत्प्राप्य शुभाशुभम् |

"One who is unattached in all situations, who neither rejoices in good fortune nor hates bad fortune, has their wisdom firmly established."

यस्त्विन्द्रियाणि मनसा नियम्यारभतेऽर्जुन |

"But one who controls the senses with the mind, O Arjuna, and begins the practice of Karma Yoga with their active senses without attachment, is far superior."

नैव तस्य कृतेनार्थो नाकृतेनेह कश्चन |

"For such a person, there is no interest whatsoever in tasks performed, nor any concern for tasks left undone in this world. Nor does he depend on any living being for any purpose."

सक्ताः कर्मण्यविद्वांसो यथा कुर्वन्ति भारत |

"As the ignorant perform actions with attachment, O Bharata, so should the wise act without attachment, desiring the welfare of the world."

तत्त्ववित्तु महाबाहो गुणकर्मविभागयोः |

"But he who knows the truth, O mighty-armed one, about the respective spheres of the modes of nature and actions, realizes that the modes are merely interacting with the modes, and does not become attached."

मयि सर्वाणि कर्माणि संन्यस्याध्यात्मचेतसा |

"Surrendering all your actions to Me, with your mind focused on the Supreme Self, free from desire and possessiveness, and cured of your mental fever, fight!"

न मां कर्माणि लिम्पन्ति न मे कर्मफले स्पृहा |

"Actions do not taint Me, nor do I desire the fruits of action. He who understands this truth about Me is also not bound by actions."

यस्य सर्वे समारम्भाः कामसङ्कल्पवर्जिताः |

"One whose undertakings are all free from desire and mental projections, and whose actions are burnt by the fire of divine knowledge, is called a sage by those who know."

निराशीर्यतचित्तात्मा त्यक्तसर्वपरिग्रहः |

"Free from desires, with mind and self controlled, having renounced all possessiveness, and performing actions solely for bodily maintenance, one incurs no sin."

ज्ञेयः स नित्यसंन्यासी यो न द्वेष्टि न काङ्क्षति |

"One who neither hates nor desires should be known as an eternal sanyasi. Free from all dualities, O mighty-armed one, such a person is easily liberated from bondage."

प्रलपन्विसृजन्गृह्णन्नुन्मिषन्निमिषन्नपि |

"while speaking, releasing, grasping, opening and closing the eyes, realizing that it is only the senses interacting with the sense objects."

ब्रह्मण्याधाय कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा करोति यः |

"He who offers all actions to Brahman, abandoning all attachment, is not tainted by sin, just as a lotus leaf is untouched by water."

सर्वकर्माणि मनसा संन्यस्यास्ते सुखं वशी |

"Renouncing all actions mentally, the self-controlled soul dwells happily as the master in the city of nine gates, neither acting nor causing action."

बाह्यस्पर्शेष्वसक्तात्मा विन्दत्यात्मनि यत्सुखम् |

"One who is unattached to external sensory contacts finds happiness in the Self. Being united with Brahman through yoga, such a person enjoys endless happiness."

यदा हि नेन्द्रियार्थेषु न कर्मस्वनुषज्जते |

"A person is said to have ascended to Yoga when they have no attachment to sense objects or to actions, and have renounced all selfish desires and projections."

श्रीभगवानुवाच |

"The Supreme Lord said: O mighty-armed son of Kunti, what you say is true; the mind is indeed restless and difficult to control. But it can be conquered, O Arjuna, by regular practice and by detachment."

ये चैव सात्त्विका भावा राजसास्तामसाश्च ये |

"Know that all states of being—whether in the mode of goodness, passion, or ignorance—are manifested by My energy. I am not in them, but they are in Me."

मया ततमिदं सर्वं जगदव्यक्तमूर्तिना |

"By Me, in My unmanifest form, this entire universe is pervaded. All beings dwell in Me, but I do not dwell in them."

न च मत्स्थानि भूतानि पश्य मे योगमैश्वरम् |

"And yet, beings do not dwell in Me. Behold My divine mystery! My Self, though the creator and sustainer of all beings, does not dwell in them."

न च मां तानि कर्माणि निबध्नन्ति धनञ्जय |

"And these actions do not bind Me, O Dhananjaya, as I sit neutral, unattached to these actions."

तुल्यनिन्दास्तुतिर्मौनी सन्तुष्टो येन केनचित् |

"He who regards praise and blame as equal, who is silent, content with whatever comes, homeless, steady-minded, and full of devotion—that person is very dear to Me."

श्रीभगवानुवाच |

"The Supreme Lord said: This body, O son of Kunti, is called the field (Kshetra), and he who knows it is called the knower of the field (Kshetrajna) by those who know them."

सर्वेन्द्रियगुणाभासं सर्वेन्द्रियविवर्जितम् |

"Shining through the functions of all the senses, yet completely free from all senses; unattached, yet supporting everything; free from the three qualities of nature (gunas), yet the enjoyer of those qualities..."

प्रकृत्यैव च कर्माणि क्रियमाणानि सर्वशः |

"He truly sees, who sees that all actions are performed entirely by material nature (Prakriti), and that the Self is completely actionless."

न रूपमस्येह तथोपलभ्यते

"Its real form is not perceived here, neither its end, nor its beginning, nor its foundation. Having cut down this firm-rooted Ashvattha tree with the strong weapon of detachment..."

तदित्यनभिसन्धाय फलं यज्ञतपःक्रियाः |

"Uttering 'TAT' and without seeking any reward, various acts of sacrifice, austerity, and charity are performed by those who desire liberation."

न हि देहभृता शक्यं त्यक्तुं कर्माण्यशेषतः |

"It is indeed impossible for an embodied being to abandon all actions completely. Therefore, he who abandons the fruits of action is declared to be a true renouncer."

असक्तबुद्धिः सर्वत्र जितात्मा विगतस्पृहः |

"He whose intellect is unattached everywhere, who has conquered his self, and who is free from desires, attains the supreme perfection of actionlessness through renunciation."

अनन्तविजयं राजा कुन्तीपुत्रो युधिष्ठिरः |

"King Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti, blew Anantavijaya; Nakula and Sahadeva blew Sughosha and Manipushpaka."

काश्यश्च परमेष्वासः शिखण्डी च महारथः |

"The excellent archer, the King of Kashi; the great chariot-warrior Shikhandi; Dhrishtadyumna, Virata, and the unconquered Satyaki;"

द्रुपदो द्रौपदेयाश्च सर्वशः पृथिवीपते |

"Drupada, the sons of Draupadi, and the mighty-armed son of Subhadra, O Lord of the Earth, blew their respective conch shells on all sides."

अथ व्यवस्थितान्दृष्ट्वा धार्तराष्ट्रान् कपिध्वजः |

"At that time, seeing the sons of Dhritarashtra arrayed against him and weapons ready to fly, Arjuna, whose chariot banner bore the crest of Hanuman, took up his bow and spoke these words to Krishna, O King."

व्यवसायात्मिका बुद्धिरेकेह कुरुनन्दन |

"Those who are on this path are resolute in purpose, and their aim is one, O beloved child of the Kurus. The intelligence of the irresolute is many-branched and endless."

यदा ते मोहकलिलं बुद्धिर्व्यतितरिष्यति |

"When your intellect crosses beyond the dense forest of delusion, then you will become indifferent to all that has been heard and all that is yet to be heard."

यदा संहरते चायं कूर्मोऽङ्गानीव सर्वशः |

"When one can withdraw their senses from their objects on all sides, just as a tortoise withdraws its limbs into its shell, their wisdom is firmly established."

तानि सर्वाणि संयम्य युक्त आसीत मत्परः |

"Restraining all the senses, one should sit in meditation, focused on Me as the Supreme Goal. One whose senses are under control has their wisdom firmly established."

इन्द्रियाणां हि चरतां यन्मनोऽनुविधीयते |

"As a strong wind sweeps away a boat on the water, even one of the wandering senses on which the mind focuses can sweep away a person's wisdom."

श्रद्धावाँल्लभते ज्ञानं तत्परः संयतेन्द्रियः |

"A person of faith, who is dedicated to it and has controlled the senses, attains knowledge. Having attained knowledge, they quickly achieve the supreme peace."

स्पर्शान्कृत्वा बहिर्बाह्यांश्चक्षुश्चैवान्तरे भ्रुवोः |

"Excluding all external sense objects, focusing the eyes between the eyebrows, equalizing the inward and outward breaths moving within the nostrils,"

शुचौ देशे प्रतिष्ठाप्य स्थिरमासनमात्मनः |

"Having established a firm seat for oneself in a clean place, neither too high nor too low, covered with kusha grass, a deerskin, and a cloth,"

तत्रैकाग्रं मनः कृत्वा यतचित्तेन्द्रियक्रियः |

"sitting on that seat, making the mind one-pointed, with the actions of the mind and senses controlled, let him practice Yoga for the purification of the self."

प्रशान्तात्मा विगतभीर्ब्रह्मचारिव्रते स्थितः |

"with a peaceful mind, free from fear, established in the vow of celibacy, controlling the mind, let him sit in meditation, absorbing the thoughts in Me, and having Me as the supreme goal."

यथा दीपो निवातस्थो नेङ्गते सोपमा स्मृता |

"As a lamp in a windless place does not flicker, this analogy is used to describe the yogi of disciplined mind practicing meditation on the Self."

सङ्कल्पप्रभवान्कामांस्त्यक्त्वा सर्वानशेषतः |

"Abandoning without exception all desires born of mental projections, and fully regulating the group of senses from all sides by the mind alone,"

शनैः शनैरुपरमेद् बुद्ध्या धृतिगृहीतया |

"Gradually, step by step, one should attain quietude by means of the intellect sustained by steadiness. Having fixed the mind on the Self alone, one should not think of anything else."

यतो यतो निश्चरति मनश्चञ्चलमस्थिरम् |

"Wherever the restless and unsteady mind wanders, one must bring it back under the control of the Self."

श्रीभगवानुवाच |

"The Supreme Lord said: Hear now, O Partha, how by practicing Yoga with your mind attached to Me, and taking refuge in Me alone, you shall know Me fully, without doubt."

अभ्यासयोगयुक्तेन चेतसा नान्यगामिना |

"Practicing constant yoga, with the mind not wandering after anything else, meditating on the Supreme Divine Person, one attains Him, O Partha."

प्रयाणकाले मनसाऽचलेन

"At the time of death, with an unwavering mind, endowed with devotion and the power of yoga, drawing the life-breath between the eyebrows, one attains that Supreme Divine Person."

यदक्षरं वेदविदो वदन्ति

"That state which the knowers of the Veda call Imperishable (Akshara), which the self-controlled ascetics free from passion enter, desiring which they practice celibacy (brahmacharya), that goal I shall briefly declare to you."

महात्मानस्तु मां पार्थ दैवीं प्रकृतिमाश्रिताः |

"But the great souls, O Partha, taking refuge in My divine nature, worship Me with undivided minds, knowing Me as the imperishable source of all beings."

यान्ति देवव्रता देवान्पितॄन्यान्ति पितृव्रताः |

"The worshippers of the demigods go to the demigods; the worshippers of the ancestors go to the ancestors; the worshippers of the spirits go to the spirits; and those who worship Me come to Me."

एतां विभूतिं योगं च मम यो वेत्ति तत्त्वतः |

"One who knows in truth this divine glory and yogic power of Mine becomes united with Me in unwavering yoga. Of this there is no doubt."

श्रीभगवानुवाच |

"The Supreme Lord said: Yes, I shall declare to you My divine self-manifestations, but only the most prominent ones, O best of the Kurus, for there is no end to My detailed expansion."

किरीटिनं गदिनं चक्रिणं च

"I see You adorned with diadem, mace, and disc, a mass of splendor blazing on all sides, hard to look upon, shining everywhere like a blazing fire and the sun, immeasurable."

भक्त्या त्वनन्यया शक्य अहमेवंविधोऽर्जुन |

"But by single-minded devotion alone, O Arjuna, can I be known, seen in truth, and entered into, O vanquisher of enemies!"

श्रीभगवानुवाच |

"The Supreme Lord said: Those who, fixing their minds on Me, worship Me, ever steadfast and endowed with supreme faith—these I hold to be the most perfect in yoga."

श्रद्धया परया तप्तं तपस्तत्त्रिविधं नरैः |

"This threefold austerity, performed with supreme faith by individuals who seek no reward and are self-disciplined, is declared to be in the mode of goodness (Sattvik)."

स्वे स्वे कर्मण्यभिरतः संसिद्धिं लभते नरः |

"Devoted to their own natural duty, each human being attains absolute perfection. Hear now how one who is dedicated to their natural duty attains that perfection."

एषा तेऽभिहिता साङ्ख्ये बुद्धिर्योगे त्विमां शृणु |

"This wisdom has been declared to you from the analytical standpoint of Sankhya. Now hear this wisdom from the practical standpoint of Yoga, by which, O Partha, you will throw off the bonds of karma."

यावानर्थ उदपाने सर्वतः सम्प्लुतोदके |

"Just as a well has little utility when there is a flood of water everywhere, similarly, all the Vedas are of limited use to a Brahmana who has realized the ultimate truth."

यस्त्विन्द्रियाणि मनसा नियम्यारभतेऽर्जुन |

"But one who controls the senses with the mind, O Arjuna, and begins the practice of Karma Yoga with their active senses without attachment, is far superior."

एवं ज्ञात्वा कृतं कर्म पूर्वैरपि मुमुक्षुभिः |

"Knowing this truth, the seekers of liberation in ancient times also performed action. Therefore, you should perform your duty as did the ancients in former times."

एवं बहुविधा यज्ञा वितता ब्रह्मणो मुखे |

"In this way, many varieties of sacrifices are spread out in the mouth of Brahman (or the Vedas). Know them all to be born of action; knowing this, you shall be liberated."

श्रीभगवानुवाच |

"The Supreme Lord said: Both the renunciation of action and the yoga of action lead to the supreme goal. But of the two, Karma Yoga is superior to the renunciation of action."

साङ्ख्ययोगौ पृथग्बालाः प्रवदन्ति न पण्डिताः |

"Only the ignorant—not the wise—speak of analytical study (Sankhya) and selfless action (Yoga) as different. One who is firmly established in even one of them attains the fruits of both."

योगयुक्तो विशुद्धात्मा विजितात्मा जितेन्द्रियः |

"One who is integrated in Yoga, who has a pure mind, who has controlled the body and conquered the senses, and who sees their own Self as the Self of all living beings, is never tainted even though acting."

सर्वभूतस्थितं यो मां भजत्येकत्वमास्थितः |

"He who worships Me residing in all beings, established in oneness, dwells in Me at all times, no matter how he behaves in the world."

तपस्विभ्योऽधिको योगी ज्ञानिभ्योऽपि मतोऽधिकः |

"A yogi is superior to the ascetics, superior to the scholars, and superior to the ritualistic workers. Therefore, O Arjuna, be a yogi!"

ज्ञानं तेऽहं सविज्ञानमिदं वक्ष्याम्यशेषतः |

"I shall declare to you in full this knowledge together with experiential realization. Once this is understood, nothing more remains to be known in this world."

साधिभूताधिदैवं मां साधियज्ञं च ये विदुः |

"Those who know Me as the governing principle of the material realm, the divine realm, and the sacrificial realm, can know Me even at the time of death, their minds being united with Me."

अहं क्रतुरहं यज्ञः स्वधाहमहमौषधम् |

"I am the Vedic ritual, I am the sacrifice, I am the ancestral offering, I am the healing herb. I am the sacred mantra, I am the clarified butter, I am the fire, and I am the act of offering."

अहं सर्वस्य प्रभवो मत्तः सर्वं प्रवर्तते |

"I am the source of all; from Me everything emanates. Understanding this, the wise worship Me with deep devotion and emotion."

वक्तुमर्हस्यशेषेण दिव्या ह्यात्मविभूतयः |

"Please describe to me in detail Your divine self-manifestations, by which You pervade and abide in all these worlds."

त्वमादिदेवः पुरुषः पुराणस्-

"You are the Primeval God, the Ancient Purusha; You are the supreme sanctuary of this universe. You are the knower, the object of knowledge, and the supreme abode. By You is this universe pervaded, O Lord of infinite forms!"

अदृष्टपूर्वं हृषितोऽस्मि दृष्ट्वा

"Having seen what has never been seen before, I am filled with joy; yet my mind is distressed with fear. Show me that familiar form of Yours, O Lord! Be gracious, O Lord of gods, O Sanctuary of the universe!"

मा ते व्यथा मा च विमूढभावो

"Do not be afraid, and do not let your mind be bewildered on seeing this terrible form of Mine. Free from fear and with a joyful heart, behold once again that familiar form of Mine."

अर्जुन उवाच |

"Arjuna said: Seeing this gentle human form of Yours, O Janardana, I have now collected my mind and am restored to my normal nature."

सन्नियम्येन्द्रियग्रामं सर्वत्र समबुद्धयः |

"Having restrained all their senses, being even-minded under all conditions, and actively engaged in the welfare of all beings—they also reach Me alone."

मय्येव मन आधत्स्व मयि बुद्धिं निवेशय |

"Fix your mind on Me alone, let your intellect rest in Me; you shall then live in Me alone hereafter, of this there is no doubt."

ऋषिभिर्बहुधा गीतं छन्दोभिर्विविधैः पृथक् |

"This truth has been sung by sages in many ways, in various Vedic hymns, and also in the logical and convincing verses of the Brahmasutras."

उत्तमः पुरुषस्त्वन्यः परमात्मेत्युधाहृतः |

"But there is another, the Supreme Person, designated as the Supreme Self (Paramatma), who, entering the three worlds, supports them as the immutable Lord."

कर्षयन्तः शरीरस्थं भूतग्राममचेतसः |

"Senselessly torturing the elements of their own physical bodies and Me who dwells within the body—know them to be of demoniac resolve."

न तदस्ति पृथिव्यां वा दिवि देवेषु वा पुनः |

"There is no being on earth, or in heaven among the demigods, who is free from these three modes (Gunas) born of material nature."

यतः प्रवृत्तिर्भूतानां येन सर्वमिदं ततम् |

"By worshipping Him from whom all beings arise and by whom all this universe is pervaded, through the performance of one's own natural duty, a human being attains perfection."

भक्त्या मामभिजानाति यावान्यश्चास्मि तत्त्वतः |

"By devotion he comes to know Me in truth, who and what I am. Then, having known Me in truth, he enters into My supreme being immediately."

चेतसा सर्वकर्माणि मयि संन्यस्य मत्परः |

"Mentally renouncing all actions in Me, regarding Me as the supreme goal, and taking refuge in the yoga of intellect (buddhi-yoga), fix your mind constantly on Me."

तमेव शरणं गच्छ सर्वभावेन भारत |

"Surrender unto Him alone with your whole being, O Bhārata (Arjuna). By His grace, you shall attain supreme peace and the eternal, imperishable abode."

मन्मना भव मद्भक्तो मद्याजी मां नमस्कुरु |

"Fix your mind on Me, be devoted to Me, worship Me, and offer your obeisances unto Me. Thus you will come to Me indeed. I promise you this in truth, for you are dear to Me."

तमुवाच हृषीकेशः प्रहसन्निव भारत |

"O descendant of Bharata (Dhritarashtra), in the midst of both the armies, Hrishikesha (Krishna), smiling as it were, spoke these words to the grieving Arjuna."

देहिनोऽस्मिन्यथा देहे कौमारं यौवनं जरा |

"Just as the embodied soul continuously passes in this body from childhood, to youth, to old age; so also does it pass into another body. The wise person is not bewildered by this."

यं हि न व्यथयन्त्येते पुरुषं पुरुषर्षभ |

"O noblest of men (Arjuna), the wise person who is not afflicted by these, and who remains steady in both pain and pleasure, is fit for immortality."

सुखदुःखे समे कृत्वा लाभालाभौ जयाजयौ |

"Treating alike pleasure and pain, gain and loss, victory and defeat, engage in battle for the sake of battle. By doing so, you shall never incur sin."

योगस्थः कुरु कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा धनञ्जय |

"Perform your duty with an even mind, O Arjuna, abandoning all attachment to success or failure. Such equanimity is called Yoga."

कर्मजं बुद्धियुक्ता हि फलं त्यक्त्वा मनीषिणः |

"The wise, endowed with equanimity, renounce the fruits of action. Being freed from the bond of birth, they attain a state that is free from all sorrow."

यः सर्वत्रानभिस्नेहस्तत्तत्प्राप्य शुभाशुभम् |

"One who is unattached in all situations, who neither rejoices in good fortune nor hates bad fortune, has their wisdom firmly established."

आपूर्यमाणमचलप्रतिष्ठं

"Just as the ocean remains steady and undisturbed though filled by rivers pouring water into it from all sides, a person who remains undisturbed by the flow of desires entering their mind attains peace, not one who runs after desires."

कर्मण्यकर्म यः पश्येदकर्मणि च कर्म यः |

"He who sees inaction in action, and action in inaction, is wise among men. He is a yogi and has completed all tasks."

ज्ञेयः स नित्यसंन्यासी यो न द्वेष्टि न काङ्क्षति |

"One who neither hates nor desires should be known as an eternal sanyasi. Free from all dualities, O mighty-armed one, such a person is easily liberated from bondage."

युक्तः कर्मफलं त्यक्त्वा शान्तिमाप्नोति नैष्ठिकीम् |

"The integrated person, abandoning the fruits of action, attains everlasting peace; whereas the unintegrated person, driven by desire and attached to the fruits, becomes bound."

इहैव तैर्जितः सर्गो येषां साम्ये स्थितं मनः |

"Even in this life, rebirth is conquered by those whose minds are established in equality. Since Brahman is flawless and equal to all, they are established in Brahman."

न प्रहृष्येत्प्रियं प्राप्य नोद्विजेत्प्राप्य चाप्रियम् |

"One should neither rejoice upon obtaining what is pleasant, nor grieve upon obtaining what is unpleasant. With steady intellect and free from delusion, the knower of Brahman is established in Brahman."

जितात्मनः प्रशान्तस्य परमात्मा समाहितः |

"For one who has conquered the mind and attained tranquility, the Supreme Self is fully realized and calm in cold and heat, pleasure and pain, honor and dishonor."

सुहृन्मित्रार्युदासीनमध्यस्थद्वेष्यबन्धुषु |

"One who regards with equal mind well-wishers, friends, enemies, neutrals, arbiters, the hateful, relatives, the virtuous, and even the sinners, is highly distinguished."

ते तं भुक्त्वा स्वर्गलोकं विशालं

"Having enjoyed the vast heavenly world, they return to the mortal world when their merits are exhausted. Thus, following the injunctions of the three Vedas and desiring sensory pleasures, they achieve only transient coming and going."

अहिंसा समता तुष्टिस्तपो दानं यशोऽयशः |

"Non-violence, equanimity, contentment, austerity, charity, fame, and infamy—these diverse qualities of living beings arise from Me alone."

सन्नियम्येन्द्रियग्रामं सर्वत्र समबुद्धयः |

"Having restrained all their senses, being even-minded under all conditions, and actively engaged in the welfare of all beings—they also reach Me alone."

यो न हृष्यति न द्वेष्टि न शोचति न काङ्क्षति |

"He who neither rejoices nor hates, who neither grieves nor desires, who renounces both good and evil fortunes, and is full of devotion—he is dear to Me."

समः शत्रौ च मित्रे च तथा मानापमानयोः |

"He who is equal to friend and enemy, and also in honor and dishonor, who is the same in cold and heat, pleasure and pain, and who is free from all attachment..."

असक्तिरनभिष्वङ्गः पुत्रदारगृहादिषु |

"Non-attachment, freedom from clinging to son, wife, home, and the like, and constant even-mindedness in the occurrence of both desirable and undesirable events..."

इदं ज्ञानमुपाश्रित्य मम साधर्म्यमागताः |

"Having taken refuge in this knowledge, they attain a nature similar to Mine. They are not born at the time of cosmic creation, nor are they disturbed at the time of cosmic dissolution."

समदुःखसुखः स्वस्थः समलोष्टाश्मकाञ्चनः |

"He who is equal in pleasure and pain, who is established in the Self, to whom a clod of earth, a stone, and gold are of equal value, who is identical toward the pleasant and the unpleasant, who is firm, and who is the same in praise and blame."

निर्मानमोहा जितसङ्गदोषा

"Free from pride and delusion, victorious over the evil of attachment, dwelling constantly in the Self, with desires turned away, liberated from the dualities of pleasure and pain, the undeluded reach that eternal state."

न द्वेष्ट्यकुशलं कर्म कुशले नानुषज्जते |

"The wise renouncer, established in goodness (Sattva), with all doubts dispelled, neither hates disagreeable work nor is attached to agreeable work."

नियतं सङ्गरहितमरागद्वेषतः कृतम् |

"Action which is obligatory, performed without attachment, without love or hatred, by one who does not seek its fruit, is said to be in the mode of goodness (Sattvik)."

मुक्तसङ्गोऽनहंवादी धृत्युत्साहसमन्वितः |

"The doer who is free from attachment, free from egotism, endowed with fortitude and enthusiasm, and who remains unchanged in success and failure, is declared to be in the mode of goodness (Sattvik)."

बुद्ध्या विशुद्धया युक्तो धृत्यात्मानं नियम्य च |

"Endowed with a purified intellect, controlling the self with resolve, abandoning the objects of the senses like sound, and casting aside attachment and aversion..."

ब्रह्मभूतः प्रसन्नात्मा न शोचति न काङ्क्षति |

"Having become one with Brahman, serene in self, he neither grieves nor desires. Regarding all beings equally, he attains supreme devotion unto Me."

सञ्जय उवाच |

"Sanjaya said: O descendant of Bharata (Dhritarashtra), having been thus addressed by Gudakesha (Arjuna), Hrishikesha (Krishna) drove that magnificent chariot between the two armies."

श्रीभगवानुवाच |

"The Supreme Lord said: O Arjuna, how has this delusion come upon you at this critical hour? It is unbecoming of a noble person; it does not lead to heaven, but to infamy."

व्यवसायात्मिका बुद्धिरेकेह कुरुनन्दन |

"Those who are on this path are resolute in purpose, and their aim is one, O beloved child of the Kurus. The intelligence of the irresolute is many-branched and endless."

यदा ते मोहकलिलं बुद्धिर्व्यतितरिष्यति |

"When your intellect crosses beyond the dense forest of delusion, then you will become indifferent to all that has been heard and all that is yet to be heard."

श्रुतिविप्रतिपन्ना ते यदा स्थास्यति निश्चला |

"When your intellect, which has been perplexed by hearing many scriptures, remains unmoved and steady in Samadhi, then you will attain divine Union."

प्रसादे सर्वदुःखानां हानिरस्योपजायते |

"In that state of grace, all sorrows are destroyed. The intellect of such a tranquil person quickly becomes steady and established."

धूमेनाव्रियते वह्निर्यथादर्शो मलेन च |

"As fire is covered by smoke, as a mirror is covered by dust, and as an embryo is covered by the womb, so is knowledge covered by this desire."

किं कर्म किमकर्मेति कवयोऽप्यत्र मोहिताः |

"What is action? What is inaction? Even the wise are bewildered on this point. I shall explain to you that action, knowing which you shall be liberated from all evil."

यज्ज्ञात्वा न पुनर्मोहमेवं यास्यसि पाण्डव |

"Knowing this, O son of Pandu, you will never fall into such delusion again. By this knowledge, you will see all living beings in your own Self, and thus in Me."

योगसंन्यस्तकर्माणं ज्ञानसञ्छिन्नसंशयम् |

"O conqueror of wealth, one who has surrendered all actions through yoga, whose doubts are slashed by knowledge, and who is self-possessed, is not bound by actions."

ज्ञानेन तु तदज्ञानं येषां नाशितमात्मनः |

"But for those whose ignorance is destroyed by the knowledge of the Self, their knowledge, like the sun, illuminates the supreme reality."

एतन्मे संशयं कृष्ण छेत्तुमर्हस्यशेषतः |

"Please dispel this doubt of mine completely, O Krishna; for there is no one else who can destroy this doubt except You."

श्रीभगवानुवाच |

"The Supreme Lord said: Hear now, O Partha, how by practicing Yoga with your mind attached to Me, and taking refuge in Me alone, you shall know Me fully, without doubt."

त्रिभिर्गुणमयैर्भावैरेभिः सर्वमिदं जगत् |

"Bewildered by these three states composed of the modes of nature, this entire world does not know Me, who am superior to them and imperishable."

अर्जुन उवाच |

"Arjuna said: What is that Brahman? What is the inner Self (Adhyatma)? What is action (Karma), O Supreme Person? What is declared to be the material realm (Adhibhuta), and what is called the divine realm (Adhidaiva)?"

अग्निर्जोतिरहः शुक्लः षण्मासा उत्तरायणम् |

"Fire, light, day, the bright fortnight, the six months of the northern solstice—departing at these times, knowers of Brahman go to Brahman."

नैते सृती पार्थ जानन्योगी मुह्यति कश्चन |

"Knowing these two paths, O Partha, no yogi is ever deluded. Therefore, at all times, be united in yoga, O Arjuna."

राजविद्या राजगुह्यं पवित्रमिदमुत्तमम् |

"This is the sovereign science, the sovereign secret, the supreme purifier, directly perceivable, in accord with righteousness, very easy to practice, and imperishable."

सञ्जय उवाच |

"Sanjaya said: Having spoken thus, O King, the great Master of Yoga, Hari (Krishna), then revealed to Partha His supreme, sovereign, divine form."

दिवि सूर्यसहस्रस्य भवेद्युगपदुत्थिता |

"If the splendor of a thousand suns were to blaze forth all at once in the sky, that would resemble the splendor of that Supreme Soul."

श्रीभगवानुवाच |

"The Supreme Lord said: By My grace, O Arjuna, this supreme form has been shown to you through My own yogic power—a form full of splendor, universal, infinite, and primeval, which has never been seen before by anyone other than you."

श्रीभगवानुवाच |

"The Supreme Lord said: This form of Mine which you have seen is exceedingly difficult to behold. Even the gods are constantly longing to see this form."

तत्क्षेत्रं यच्च यादृक्च यद्विकारि यतश्च यत् |

"What that field is, what its nature is, what modifications it undergoes, where it originates, who that Knower is, and what His powers are—hear all this briefly from Me."

क्षेत्रक्षेत्रज्ञयोरेवमन्तरं ज्ञानचक्षुषा |

"Those who, with the eye of wisdom, perceive this distinction between the field (Kshetra) and the knower of the field (Kshetrajna), and understand the process of liberation from material nature (Prakriti)—they attain the Supreme."

सत्त्वात्सञ्जायते ज्ञानं रजसो लोभ एव च |

"From goodness (Sattva) arises knowledge; from passion (Rajas) arises greed; and from ignorance (Tamas) arise negligence, delusion, and ignorance."

निश्चयं शृणु मे तत्र त्यागे भरतसत्तम |

"Hear My final decision on this subject of abandonment, O best of the Bharatas. For abandonment, O tiger among men, is declared to be of three kinds."

यत्तदग्रे विषमिव परिणामेऽमृतोपमम् |

"That happiness which in the beginning is like poison, but in the end is like nectar, born of the clarity of one's own intellect—that is declared to be in the mode of goodness (Sattvik)."

धृतराष्ट्र उवाच |

"Dhritarashtra said: O Sanjaya, assembled on the holy field of Kurukshetra, eager to fight, what did my sons and the sons of Pandu do?"

सञ्जय उवाच |

"Sanjaya said: But having seen the army of the Pandavas drawn up in battle array, King Duryodhana then approached his teacher (Drona) and spoke these words."

अपर्याप्तं तदस्माकं बलं भीष्माभिरक्षितम् |

"Our strength is unlimited, marshaled as we are by Bhishma, whereas their strength, marshaled by Bhima, is limited."

कृपया परयाविष्टो विषीदन्निदमब्रवीत् |

"Arjuna said: O Krishna, seeing my own kinsmen assembled here eager to fight, my limbs are failing and my mouth is parched."

सीदन्ति मम गात्राणि मुखं च परिशुष्यति |

"My body is trembling, my hair stands on end, my bow Gandiva slips from my hand, and my skin is burning."

अधर्माभिभवात्कृष्ण प्रदुष्यन्ति कुलस्त्रियः |

"When lawlessness prevails, O Krishna, the women of the family become corrupt, and from their corruption, O Varshneya (descendant of Vrishni), unwanted progeny arises."

न चैतद्विद्मः कतरन्नो गरीयो

"We do not know which is better for us—whether we should conquer them or they should conquer us. If we kill the sons of Dhritarashtra, who are now standing before us, we would not wish to live."

नासतो विद्यते भावो नाभावो विद्यते सतः |

"The unreal has no existence, and the real never ceases to be. The truth of both has been perceived by the seers of the essence."

अव्यक्तोऽयमचिन्त्योऽयमविकार्योऽयमुच्यते |

"The soul is said to be unmanifest, unthinkable, and unchangeable. Therefore, knowing it as such, you should not grieve."

जातस्य हि ध्रुवो मृत्युर्ध्रुवं जन्म मृतस्य च |

"For one who is born, death is certain; and for one who dies, birth is certain. Therefore, you should not grieve over the inevitable."

अव्यक्तादीनि भूतानि व्यक्तमध्यानि भारत |

"All beings are unmanifest in their origin, manifest in their middle state, O Bharata, and unmanifest again in their end. What is there to grieve about in this?"

त्रैगुण्यविषया वेदा निस्त्रैगुण्यो भवार्जुन |

"The Vedas deal mainly with the three modes of material nature. Rise above these three modes, O Arjuna. Be free from all dualities, established in absolute truth, free from anxieties of acquisition and preservation, and self-possessed."

कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन |

"You have a right to perform your prescribed duty, but you are not entitled to the fruits of action. Never consider yourself to be the cause of the results of your activities, and never be attached to inaction."

श्रीभगवानुवाच |

"The Supreme Lord said: Many births of Mine have passed, and also of yours, O Arjuna. I know all of them, but you do not know them, O subduer of enemies."

किं कर्म किमकर्मेति कवयोऽप्यत्र मोहिताः |

"What is action? What is inaction? Even the wise are bewildered on this point. I shall explain to you that action, knowing which you shall be liberated from all evil."

अज्ञश्चाश्रद्दधानश्च संशयात्मा विनश्यति |

"But the ignorant, the faithless, and the doubting soul is ruined. For the doubting soul, there is happiness neither in this world, nor in the next."

युक्तः कर्मफलं त्यक्त्वा शान्तिमाप्नोति नैष्ठिकीम् |

"The integrated person, abandoning the fruits of action, attains everlasting peace; whereas the unintegrated person, driven by desire and attached to the fruits, becomes bound."

चञ्चलं हि मनः कृष्ण प्रमाथि बलवद् दृढम् |

"For the mind is restless, turbulent, strong, and obstinate, O Krishna. Controlling it seems to me as difficult as controlling the wind."

अर्जुन उवाच |

"Arjuna said: O Krishna, what is the fate of an unsuccessful seeker who has faith, but whose mind wanders from Yoga, and who fails to achieve perfection in Yoga?"

वेदाहं समतीतानि वर्तमानानि चार्जुन |

"I know the past, the present, and the future, O Arjuna, and all living beings; but Me no one knows."

नभःस्पृशं दीप्तमनेकवर्णं

"Seeing You touching the sky, blazing with many colors, with mouths wide open and large fiery eyes, my innermost soul is trembling with fear. I find no courage or peace, O Vishnu!"

लोभः प्रवृत्तिरारम्भः कर्मणामशमः स्पृहा |

"Greed, restlessness, activity, the undertaking of selfish works, and insatiable longing—these qualities arise when Rajas is predominant, O best of the Bharatas."

चिन्तामपरिमेयां च प्रलयान्तामुपाश्रिताः |

"Beset with immense anxieties that end only with death, they hold sensory gratification as their ultimate goal, convinced that 'this is all.'"

यत्तु कामेप्सुना कर्म साहंकारेण वा पुनः |

"But that action which is performed with great effort, by one who seeks to gratify their desires, or is driven by egotism, is declared to be in the mode of passion (Rajasic)."

तत्रापश्यत्स्थितान्पार्थः पितॄनथ पितामहान् |

"There, Arjuna saw stationed before him grandfathers, teachers, maternal uncles, brothers, sons, grandsons, and companions."

तस्मान्नार्हा वयं हन्तुं धार्तराष्ट्रान्स्वबान्धवान् |

"Therefore, it is not fit for us to kill the sons of Dhritarashtra, our own kinsmen. O Madhava (husband of Lakshmi), how can we be happy by killing our own relatives?"

गुरूनहत्वा हि महानुभावान्

"It is better to live in this world even by begging than to slay these noble teachers. By killing them, even though they are driven by greed, I would enjoy wealth and pleasures stained with blood."

न त्वेवाहं जातु नासं न त्वं नेमे जनाधिपाः |

"Never was there a time when I did not exist, nor you, nor all these kings; nor in the future shall any of us cease to be."

नासतो विद्यते भावो नाभावो विद्यते सतः |

"The unreal has no existence, and the real never ceases to be. The truth of both has been perceived by the seers of the essence."

स्वधर्ममपि चावेक्ष्य न विकम्पितुमर्हसि |

"Considering your own duty, you should not waver. Indeed, there is no greater engagement for a warrior than a righteous battle."

विहाय कामान्यः सर्वान्पुमांश्चरति निःस्पृहः |

"One who abandons all desires, living without cravings, free from the sense of ownership and ego, attains absolute peace."

श्रीभगवानुवाच |

"The Supreme Lord said: O sinless one, in this world there is a two-fold path previously declared by Me: the path of knowledge for the analytical thinkers, and the path of action for the active yogis."

प्रकृतेः क्रियमाणानि गुणैः कर्माणि सर्वशः |

"All actions are performed in all cases by the modes of material nature. But the one whose mind is bewildered by egotism thinks, 'I am the doer.'"

श्रेयान्स्वधर्मो विगुणः परधर्मात्स्वनुष्ठितात् |

"It is far better to perform one's own natural duty, even if imperfectly, than to perform another's duty perfectly. Death in the performance of one's own duty is beneficial; performing another's duty is fraught with fear."

एवं बुद्धेः परं बुद्ध्वा संस्तभ्यात्मानमात्मना |

"Thus knowing the Self to be superior to the intellect, steady the mind by the higher Self, O mighty-armed one, and conquer this formidable enemy in the form of desire."

अर्जुन उवाच |

"Arjuna said: Your birth was recent, whereas the birth of Vivasvan was in the distant past. How then am I to understand that You taught this yoga in the beginning?"

जन्म कर्म च मे दिव्यमेवं यो वेत्ति तत्त्वतः |

"He who understands in truth the divine nature of My birth and activities, does not take birth again upon leaving the body, but attains Me, O Arjuna."

उदाराः सर्व एवैते ज्ञानी त्वात्मैव मे मतम् |

"All of them are indeed noble, but I consider the wise one to be My very Self. Being united in mind, they are established in Me alone as the supreme goal."

अव्यक्तं व्यक्तिमापन्नं मन्यन्ते मामबुद्धयः |

"The unintelligent think of Me, the unmanifest, as having become manifest, not knowing My supreme, imperishable, and unsurpassed nature."

श्रीभगवानुवाच |

"The Supreme Lord said: The indestructible, supreme reality is Brahman. Its essential nature (the soul) is called Adhyatma. The creative force that causes the manifestation of the existence of beings is called Karma."

मया ततमिदं सर्वं जगदव्यक्तमूर्तिना |

"By Me, in My unmanifest form, this entire universe is pervaded. All beings dwell in Me, but I do not dwell in them."

अवजानन्ति मां मूढा मानुषीं तनुमाश्रितम् |

"Fools deride Me when I descend in a human form, not knowing My supreme nature as the great Lord of all beings."

गतिर्भर्ता प्रभुः साक्षी निवासः शरणं सुहृत् |

"I am the goal, the sustainer, the lord, the witness, the abode, the refuge, the friend. I am the origin, the dissolution, the foundation, the storehouse, and the imperishable seed."

अहं हि सर्वयज्ञानां भोक्ता च प्रभुरेव च |

"For I am the only enjoyer and lord of all sacrifices. However, they do not recognize Me in truth, and therefore they fall back into the cycle of rebirth."

अर्जुन उवाच |

"Arjuna said: O Keshava, I wish to understand Prakriti (nature) and Purusha (spirit), the Kshetra (the field) and the Kshetrajna (the knower of the field), as well as knowledge and the object of knowledge."

प्रकृतिं पुरुषं चैव विद्ध्यनादी उभावपि |

"Know that both Prakriti (nature) and Purusha (spirit) are beginningless. Know also that all modifications and the three qualities (gunas) are born of Prakriti."

सत्त्वानुरूपा सर्वस्य श्रद्धा भवति भारत |

"The faith of each person is in accordance with their natural character, O Bharata. A person is made of their faith; whatever their faith is, that indeed they are."

तत्रैवं सति कर्तारमात्मानं केवलं तु यः |

"This being the case, he who, due to an untrained intellect, views the absolute Self as the sole agent of action, is of perverted intelligence and does not see reality."

श्रीभगवानुवाच |

"The Supreme Lord said: While speaking words of wisdom, you are mourning for what is not worthy of grief. The wise lament neither for the living nor for the dead."

एषा तेऽभिहिता साङ्ख्ये बुद्धिर्योगे त्विमां शृणु |

"This wisdom has been declared to you from the analytical standpoint of Sankhya. Now hear this wisdom from the practical standpoint of Yoga, by which, O Partha, you will throw off the bonds of karma."

यावानर्थ उदपाने सर्वतः सम्प्लुतोदके |

"Just as a well has little utility when there is a flood of water everywhere, similarly, all the Vedas are of limited use to a Brahmana who has realized the ultimate truth."

या निशा सर्वभूतानां तस्यां जागर्ति संयमी |

"What is night for all living beings is the time of awakening for the self-controlled sage. And what is the time of awakening for all beings is night for the wise muni."

श्रीभगवानुवाच |

"The Supreme Lord said: O sinless one, in this world there is a two-fold path previously declared by Me: the path of knowledge for the analytical thinkers, and the path of action for the active yogis."

धूमेनाव्रियते वह्निर्यथादर्शो मलेन च |

"As fire is covered by smoke, as a mirror is covered by dust, and as an embryo is covered by the womb, so is knowledge covered by this desire."

श्रीभगवानुवाच |

"The Supreme Lord said: I taught this eternal science of Yoga to Vivasvan (the Sun-god); Vivasvan taught it to Manu (the father of mankind); and Manu declared it to Ikshvaku (the founder of the solar dynasty)."

किं कर्म किमकर्मेति कवयोऽप्यत्र मोहिताः |

"What is action? What is inaction? Even the wise are bewildered on this point. I shall explain to you that action, knowing which you shall be liberated from all evil."

श्रेयान्द्रव्यमयाद्यज्ञाज्ज्ञानयज्ञः परन्तप |

"O subduer of enemies, the sacrifice of knowledge is superior to the sacrifice of material possessions. O Partha, all actions in their entirety culminate in wisdom."

साङ्ख्ययोगौ पृथग्बालाः प्रवदन्ति न पण्डिताः |

"Only the ignorant—not the wise—speak of analytical study (Sankhya) and selfless action (Yoga) as different. One who is firmly established in even one of them attains the fruits of both."

अथवा योगिनामेव कुले भवति धीमताम् |

"Or they are born directly into a family of wise yogis. Such a birth in this world is indeed very rare."

ज्ञानं तेऽहं सविज्ञानमिदं वक्ष्याम्यशेषतः |

"I shall declare to you in full this knowledge together with experiential realization. Once this is understood, nothing more remains to be known in this world."

तेषां ज्ञानी नित्ययुक्त एकभक्तिर्विशिष्यते |

"Among these, the wise one who is constantly united with Me in single-minded devotion is the best. For I am exceedingly dear to the wise, and they are dear to Me."

कविं पुराणमनुशासितार-

"One should meditate upon the omniscient, ancient, ruler, minuter than the atom, supporter of all, of inconceivable form, resplendent like the sun, beyond all darkness."

श्रीभगवानुवाच |

"The Supreme Lord said: Hear again, O mighty-armed one, My supreme word, which I shall speak to you, My beloved friend, for your benefit and welfare."

अहं सर्वस्य प्रभवो मत्तः सर्वं प्रवर्तते |

"I am the source of all; from Me everything emanates. Understanding this, the wise worship Me with deep devotion and emotion."

पुरोधसां च मुख्यं मां विद्धि पार्थ बृहस्पतिम् |

"Know Me, O Partha, to be Brihaspati, the chief of priests. Among generals I am Skanda (Kartikeya); and among reservoirs of water I am the Ocean."

पितासि लोकस्य चराचरस्य

"You are the Father of this world, of both the moving and non-moving beings. You are its most venerable teacher and object of worship. There is none equal to You in the three worlds; how then could there be anyone greater, O Lord of incomparable power?"

यः शास्त्रविधिमुत्सृज्य वर्तते कामकारतः |

"He who discards the injunctions of the scriptures and acts under the impulse of desire attains neither perfection, nor happiness, nor the supreme goal."

तस्माच्छास्त्रं प्रमाणं ते कार्याकार्यव्यवस्थितौ |

"Therefore, let the scriptures be your authority in determining what ought to be done and what ought not to be done. Knowing what is declared in scriptures, perform your duty in this world."

न द्वेष्ट्यकुशलं कर्म कुशले नानुषज्जते |

"The wise renouncer, established in goodness (Sattva), with all doubts dispelled, neither hates disagreeable work nor is attached to agreeable work."

शमो दमस्तपः शौचं क्षान्तिरार्जवमेव च |

"Serenity, self-control, austerity, purity, forgiveness, straightforwardness, knowledge, realization, and faith in the Divine—these constitute the natural duty of a Brahmin."

अध्येष्यते च य इमं धर्म्यं संवादमावयोः |

"And I declare that he who studies this sacred dialogue of ours worships Me through the sacrifice of knowledge (jñāna-yajña); this is My opinion."

अच्छेद्योऽयमदाह्योऽयमक्लेद्योऽशोष्य एव च |

"The soul is uncleavable, incombustible, insoluble, and dryable. It is eternal, all-pervading, stable, immovable, and ancient."

यस्त्वात्मरतिरेव स्यादात्मतृप्तश्च मानवः |

"But for the person who rejoices only in the Self, who is satisfied with the Self, and who is fully content in the Self alone, there remains no obligatory duty to perform."

एवं बुद्धेः परं बुद्ध्वा संस्तभ्यात्मानमात्मना |

"Thus knowing the Self to be superior to the intellect, steady the mind by the higher Self, O mighty-armed one, and conquer this formidable enemy in the form of desire."

कर्मण्यकर्म यः पश्येदकर्मणि च कर्म यः |

"He who sees inaction in action, and action in inaction, is wise among men. He is a yogi and has completed all tasks."

गतसङ्गस्य मुक्तस्य ज्ञानावस्थितचेतसः |

"For one who is unattached, liberated, whose mind is established in knowledge, and who performs work as a sacrifice, all actions dissolve completely."

श्रद्धावाँल्लभते ज्ञानं तत्परः संयतेन्द्रियः |

"A person of faith, who is dedicated to it and has controlled the senses, attains knowledge. Having attained knowledge, they quickly achieve the supreme peace."

ब्रह्मण्याधाय कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा करोति यः |

"He who offers all actions to Brahman, abandoning all attachment, is not tainted by sin, just as a lotus leaf is untouched by water."

बाह्यस्पर्शेष्वसक्तात्मा विन्दत्यात्मनि यत्सुखम् |

"One who is unattached to external sensory contacts finds happiness in the Self. Being united with Brahman through yoga, such a person enjoys endless happiness."

योऽन्तःसुखोऽन्तरारामस्तथान्तर्ज्योतिरेव यः |

"He who finds happiness within, who rejoices within, and who is illuminated within, is a yogi. Becoming one with Brahman, he attains supreme liberation."

कामक्रोधवियुक्तानां यतीनां यतचेतसाम् |

"For those striving seekers who are free from desire and anger, whose minds are controlled, and who have realized the Self, supreme liberation in Brahman is present all around them."

यं संन्यासमिति प्राहुर्योगं तं विद्धि पाण्डव |

"O son of Pandu, know that what they call renunciation is identical to Yoga. For no one can become a yogi without renouncing selfish desires and projections."

यदा विनियतं चित्तमात्मन्येवावतिष्ठते |

"When the fully controlled mind remains established in the Self alone, free from all desires, at that time a person is said to be self-realized."

सुखमात्यन्तिकं यत्तद् बुद्धिग्राह्यमतीन्द्रियम् |

"when one experiences that infinite bliss which is grasped by the intellect but lies beyond the senses, and wherein established, one never wavers from the truth;"

यं लब्ध्वा चापरं लाभं मन्यते नाधिकं ततः |

"having attained which, one considers no other gain to be superior; and established wherein, one is not shaken even by the heaviest sorrow."

प्रशान्तमनसं ह्येनं योगिनं सुखमुत्तमम् |

"The yogi whose mind is peaceful, whose passion is quieted, who is free from sin, and who has become one with Brahman, attains the highest happiness."

अनन्यचेताः सततं यो मां स्मरति नित्यशः |

"For the yogi who constantly remembers Me with single-minded devotion, I am easily attained, O Partha, because of their constant union."

मामुपेत्य पुनर्जन्म दुःखालयमशाश्वतम् |

"Having attained Me, these great souls do not take birth again in this transient world of suffering, having reached the highest perfection."

वेदेषु यज्ञेषु तपःसु चैव

"The yogi who knows this transcends all the meritorious fruits declared for the study of the Vedas, performance of sacrifices, austerities, and charities, and attains the supreme primeval state."

यथाकाशस्थितो नित्यं वायुः सर्वत्रगो महान् |

"Just as the mighty wind, blowing everywhere, always dwells in space, know that in the same manner all beings dwell in Me."

श्रेयो हि ज्ञानमभ्यासाज्ज्ञानाद्ध्यानं विशिष्यते |

"Knowledge is indeed better than mechanical practice; meditation is superior to mere knowledge; renunciation of the fruits of action is better than meditation; and peace immediately follows such renunciation."

मयि चानन्ययोगेन भक्तिरव्यभिचारिणी |

"Unswerving devotion to Me through single-minded yoga, resort to quiet, solitary places, and distaste for the noisy crowds of people..."

अहंकारं बलं दर्पं कामं क्रोधं परिग्रहम् |

"Free from egoism, brute force, pride, lust, anger, and possessiveness, devoid of the sense of ownership, and tranquil in mind, such a person is fit for becoming one with Brahman."

दूरेण ह्यवरं कर्म बुद्धियोगाद्धनञ्जय |

"O Dhananjaya, action driven by desire is far inferior to the yoga of wisdom. Take shelter in this wisdom. Miserable are those who seek the fruits of their actions."

कर्मजं बुद्धियुक्ता हि फलं त्यक्त्वा मनीषिणः |

"The wise, endowed with equanimity, renounce the fruits of action. Being freed from the bond of birth, they attain a state that is free from all sorrow."

तस्माद्यस्य महाबाहो निगृहीतानि सर्वशः |

"Therefore, O mighty-armed Arjuna, one whose senses are completely restrained from their objects on all sides has their wisdom firmly established."

यज्ञार्थात्कर्मणोऽन्यत्र लोकोऽयं कर्मबन्धनः |

"Work must be performed as a sacrifice to the Divine, otherwise it binds us to this material world. Therefore, O son of Kunti, perform your duties without attachment, as a sacrifice."

यस्त्वात्मरतिरेव स्यादात्मतृप्तश्च मानवः |

"But for the person who rejoices only in the Self, who is satisfied with the Self, and who is fully content in the Self alone, there remains no obligatory duty to perform."

अजोऽपि सन्नव्ययात्मा भूतानामीश्वरोऽपि सन् |

"Although I am unborn, and My transcendental body never decays, and although I am the Lord of all living beings, yet, established in My own nature, I manifest Myself by My own divine energy."

जन्म कर्म च मे दिव्यमेवं यो वेत्ति तत्त्वतः |

"He who understands in truth the divine nature of My birth and activities, does not take birth again upon leaving the body, but attains Me, O Arjuna."

यस्य सर्वे समारम्भाः कामसङ्कल्पवर्जिताः |

"One whose undertakings are all free from desire and mental projections, and whose actions are burnt by the fire of divine knowledge, is called a sage by those who know."

त्यक्त्वा कर्मफलासङ्गं नित्यतृप्तो निराश्रयः |

"Having abandoned all attachment to the fruits of action, ever content, and dependent on nothing, such a person, even though fully engaged in action, does not perform any action at all."

गतसङ्गस्य मुक्तस्य ज्ञानावस्थितचेतसः |

"For one who is unattached, liberated, whose mind is established in knowledge, and who performs work as a sacrifice, all actions dissolve completely."

एवं बहुविधा यज्ञा वितता ब्रह्मणो मुखे |

"In this way, many varieties of sacrifices are spread out in the mouth of Brahman (or the Vedas). Know them all to be born of action; knowing this, you shall be liberated."

यथैधांसि समिद्धोऽग्निर्भस्मसात्कुरुतेऽर्जुन |

"As a blazing fire turns firewood to ashes, O Arjuna, so does the fire of knowledge burn all actions to ashes."

ज्ञेयः स नित्यसंन्यासी यो न द्वेष्टि न काङ्क्षति |

"One who neither hates nor desires should be known as an eternal sanyasi. Free from all dualities, O mighty-armed one, such a person is easily liberated from bondage."

अव्यक्तं व्यक्तिमापन्नं मन्यन्ते मामबुद्धयः |

"The unintelligent think of Me, the unmanifest, as having become manifest, not knowing My supreme, imperishable, and unsurpassed nature."

आब्रह्मभुवनाल्लोकाः पुनरावर्तिनोऽर्जुन |

"From the highest realm of Brahma down to the lowest, all worlds are subject to repeated birth and death, O Arjuna. But having attained Me, O son of Kunti, there is no rebirth."

भूतग्रामः स एवायं भूत्वा भूत्वा प्रलीयते |

"This same multitude of living beings, coming into existence again and again, is helplessly dissolved at the approach of night, O Partha, and manifests again at the dawn of day."

अव्यक्तोऽक्षर इत्युक्तस्तमाहुः परमां गतिम् |

"This unmanifest is called the Imperishable (Akshara); they declare it to be the supreme goal. Having attained it, they do not return. That is My supreme abode."

प्रकृतिं स्वामवष्टभ्य विसृजामि पुनः पुनः |

"Presiding over My own material nature, I manifest again and again this entire multitude of beings, who are helpless under the control of nature."

एतैर्विमुक्तः कौन्तेय तमोद्वारैस्त्रिभिर्नरः |

"Released from these three gates of darkness, O son of Kunti, a person acts for the welfare of his soul, and thereby reaches the supreme goal."

यस्य नाहंकृतो भावो बुद्धिर्यस्य न लिप्यते |

"He who is free from the egoistic notion 'I am the doer,' and whose intellect is not tainted—even if he slays these people, he does not slay, nor is he bound by his actions."

अहंकारं बलं दर्पं कामं क्रोधं परिग्रहम् |

"Free from egoism, brute force, pride, lust, anger, and possessiveness, devoid of the sense of ownership, and tranquil in mind, such a person is fit for becoming one with Brahman."

अनन्तविजयं राजा कुन्तीपुत्रो युधिष्ठिरः |

"King Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti, blew Anantavijaya; Nakula and Sahadeva blew Sughosha and Manipushpaka."

काश्यश्च परमेष्वासः शिखण्डी च महारथः |

"The excellent archer, the King of Kashi; the great chariot-warrior Shikhandi; Dhrishtadyumna, Virata, and the unconquered Satyaki;"

द्रुपदो द्रौपदेयाश्च सर्वशः पृथिवीपते |

"Drupada, the sons of Draupadi, and the mighty-armed son of Subhadra, O Lord of the Earth, blew their respective conch shells on all sides."

सञ्जय उवाच |

"Sanjaya said: O descendant of Bharata (Dhritarashtra), having been thus addressed by Gudakesha (Arjuna), Hrishikesha (Krishna) drove that magnificent chariot between the two armies."

अन्तवन्त इमे देहा नित्यस्योक्ताः शरीरिणः |

"These physical bodies of the eternal, indestructible, and immeasurable embodied soul are said to have an end. Therefore, fight, O descendant of Bharata."

वेदाविनाशिनं नित्यं य एनमजमव्ययम् |

"O Partha, how can a person who knows the soul to be indestructible, eternal, unborn, and imperishable, kill anyone or cause anyone to kill?"

अन्नाद्भवन्ति भूतानि पर्जन्यादन्नसम्भवः |

"All living beings subsist on food, and food is produced from rain. Rain comes from sacrifice, and sacrifice is born of action."

एवं प्रवर्तितं चक्रं नानुवर्तयतीह यः |

"O Partha, he who does not follow in this life the wheel of creation thus set in motion, leads a sinful life. Rejoicing only in the senses, he lives in vain."

यद्यदाचरति श्रेष्ठस्तत्तदेवेतरो जनः |

"Whatever action a great leader performs, common people follow. Whatever standards of conduct they set, all the world pursues."

यदि ह्यहं न वर्तेयं जातु कर्मण्यतन्द्रितः |

"For if I did not engage in action tirelessly, O Partha, all people would follow My path in every way."

यज्ञशिष्टामृतभुजो यान्ति ब्रह्म सनातनम् |

"Those who eat the nectar-like remnants of sacrifice attain the eternal Brahman. O best of the Kurus, this world is not for the one who performs no sacrifice; how then can any other world be?"

न कर्तृत्वं न कर्माणि लोकस्य सृजति प्रभुः |

"The Lord of the world does not create agency, nor actions for the people, nor the union with the fruits of action. It is nature alone that operates."

प्राप्य पुण्यकृतां लोकानुषित्वा शाश्वतीः समाः |

"The unsuccessful yogi, after dwelling for many years in the worlds of the virtuous, is born again in the home of the pure and wealthy."

न च मत्स्थानि भूतानि पश्य मे योगमैश्वरम् |

"And yet, beings do not dwell in Me. Behold My divine mystery! My Self, though the creator and sustainer of all beings, does not dwell in them."

उच्चैःश्रवसमश्वानां विद्धि माममृतोद्भवम् |

"Among horses, know Me to be Uchchaihshravas, born of nectar; among lordly elephants, Airavata; and among human beings, the King."

कार्यमित्येव यत्कर्म नियतं क्रियतेऽर्जुन |

"When obligatory duty is performed simply because it ought to be done, O Arjuna, abandoning attachment and the desire for fruit—that abandonment is held to be in the mode of goodness (Sattvik)."

शरीरवाङ्मनोभिर्यत्कर्म प्रारभते नरः |

"Whatever action a person undertakes with body, speech, or mind, whether right or wrong—these five are its causes."

यस्य नाहंकृतो भावो बुद्धिर्यस्य न लिप्यते |

"He who is free from the egoistic notion 'I am the doer,' and whose intellect is not tainted—even if he slays these people, he does not slay, nor is he bound by his actions."

शौर्यं तेजो धृतिर्दाक्ष्यं युद्धे चाप्यपलायनम् |

"Heroism, majesty, fortitude, dexterity, courage in battle, generosity, and leadership—these constitute the natural duty of a warrior (Kshatriya)."

यं हि न व्यथयन्त्येते पुरुषं पुरुषर्षभ |

"O noblest of men (Arjuna), the wise person who is not afflicted by these, and who remains steady in both pain and pleasure, is fit for immortality."

अच्छेद्योऽयमदाह्योऽयमक्लेद्योऽशोष्य एव च |

"The soul is uncleavable, incombustible, insoluble, and dryable. It is eternal, all-pervading, stable, immovable, and ancient."

अर्जुन उवाच |

"Arjuna said: What are the characteristics of a person of steady wisdom, who is absorbed in Samadhi, O Keshava? How does such a person of steady mind speak, how do they sit, and how do they walk?"

तानि सर्वाणि संयम्य युक्त आसीत मत्परः |

"Restraining all the senses, one should sit in meditation, focused on Me as the Supreme Goal. One whose senses are under control has their wisdom firmly established."

तस्माद्यस्य महाबाहो निगृहीतानि सर्वशः |

"Therefore, O mighty-armed Arjuna, one whose senses are completely restrained from their objects on all sides has their wisdom firmly established."

यस्त्विन्द्रियाणि मनसा नियम्यारभतेऽर्जुन |

"But one who controls the senses with the mind, O Arjuna, and begins the practice of Karma Yoga with their active senses without attachment, is far superior."

इन्द्रियाणि मनो बुद्धिरस्याधिष्ठानमुच्यते |

"The senses, the mind, and the intellect are declared to be the seat of this desire. Through these, it covers knowledge and bewilders the embodied soul."

एवं बुद्धेः परं बुद्ध्वा संस्तभ्यात्मानमात्मना |

"Thus knowing the Self to be superior to the intellect, steady the mind by the higher Self, O mighty-armed one, and conquer this formidable enemy in the form of desire."

अजोऽपि सन्नव्ययात्मा भूतानामीश्वरोऽपि सन् |

"Although I am unborn, and My transcendental body never decays, and although I am the Lord of all living beings, yet, established in My own nature, I manifest Myself by My own divine energy."

कामक्रोधवियुक्तानां यतीनां यतचेतसाम् |

"For those striving seekers who are free from desire and anger, whose minds are controlled, and who have realized the Self, supreme liberation in Brahman is present all around them."

यदा हि नेन्द्रियार्थेषु न कर्मस्वनुषज्जते |

"A person is said to have ascended to Yoga when they have no attachment to sense objects or to actions, and have renounced all selfish desires and projections."

तपस्विभ्योऽधिको योगी ज्ञानिभ्योऽपि मतोऽधिकः |

"A yogi is superior to the ascetics, superior to the scholars, and superior to the ritualistic workers. Therefore, O Arjuna, be a yogi!"

यदक्षरं वेदविदो वदन्ति

"That state which the knowers of the Veda call Imperishable (Akshara), which the self-controlled ascetics free from passion enter, desiring which they practice celibacy (brahmacharya), that goal I shall briefly declare to you."

नैते सृती पार्थ जानन्योगी मुह्यति कश्चन |

"Knowing these two paths, O Partha, no yogi is ever deluded. Therefore, at all times, be united in yoga, O Arjuna."

वेदेषु यज्ञेषु तपःसु चैव

"The yogi who knows this transcends all the meritorious fruits declared for the study of the Vedas, performance of sacrifices, austerities, and charities, and attains the supreme primeval state."

एतैर्विमुक्तः कौन्तेय तमोद्वारैस्त्रिभिर्नरः |

"Released from these three gates of darkness, O son of Kunti, a person acts for the welfare of his soul, and thereby reaches the supreme goal."

मनः प्रसादः सौम्यत्वं मौनमात्मविनिग्रहः |

"Serenity of mind, gentleness, silence, self-control, and purity of heart—these are declared to constitute austerity of the mind."

धृत्या यया धारयते मनःप्राणेन्द्रियक्रियाः |

"That unwavering fortitude (Dhriti) by which one controls the activities of the mind, the life-breaths (pranas), and the senses through the yoga of meditation, O Partha, is in the mode of goodness (Sattvik)."

असक्तबुद्धिः सर्वत्र जितात्मा विगतस्पृहः |

"He whose intellect is unattached everywhere, who has conquered his self, and who is free from desires, attains the supreme perfection of actionlessness through renunciation."

सञ्जय उवाच |

"Sanjaya said: Seeing Arjuna thus overwhelmed with pity, his mind depressed, and his eyes full of tears, Madhusudana (Krishna) spoke these words."

देही नित्यमवध्योऽयं देहे सर्वस्य भारत |

"O Bharata, the soul that dwells in the body of everyone is eternally indestructible. Therefore, you should not grieve for any living being."

प्रकृतेर्गुणसम्मूढाः सज्जन्ते गुणकर्मसु |

"Those bewildered by the modes of nature become attached to the activities of the modes. The wise person, who possesses complete knowledge, should not disturb these dull-witted people who have incomplete knowledge."

यज्ज्ञात्वा न पुनर्मोहमेवं यास्यसि पाण्डव |

"Knowing this, O son of Pandu, you will never fall into such delusion again. By this knowledge, you will see all living beings in your own Self, and thus in Me."

योगयुक्तो विशुद्धात्मा विजितात्मा जितेन्द्रियः |

"One who is integrated in Yoga, who has a pure mind, who has controlled the body and conquered the senses, and who sees their own Self as the Self of all living beings, is never tainted even though acting."

विद्याविनयसम्पन्ने ब्राह्मणे गवि हस्तिनि |

"The wise look with equal vision upon a learned and humble priest, a cow, an elephant, a dog, and a dog-eater (an outcast)."

सर्वभूतस्थमात्मानं सर्वभूतानि चात्मनि |

"One who is integrated in Yoga sees the Self in all living beings, and all living beings in the Self. Indeed, the self-realized person looks upon all with an equal eye."

आत्मौपम्येन सर्वत्र समं पश्यति योऽर्जुन |

"O Arjuna, he is considered the highest yogi who sees others as equal to himself, looking upon the pleasure and pain of all beings as if it were his own."

मत्तः परतरं नान्यत्किञ्चिदस्ति धनञ्जय |

"There is nothing superior to Me, O conqueror of wealth. Everything in this universe is strung on Me like pearls on a thread."

अहमात्मा गुडाकेश सर्वभूताशयस्थितः |

"I am the Self, O Gudakesha, seated in the hearts of all living beings. I am the beginning, the middle, and the end of all beings."

वृष्णीनां वासुदेवोऽस्मि पाण्डवानां धनञ्जयः |

"Among the descendants of Vrishni I am Vasudeva (Krishna); among the Pandavas I am Dhananjaya (Arjuna). Among the sages I am Vyasa; and among the wise poets I am Ushanas."

मा ते व्यथा मा च विमूढभावो

"Do not be afraid, and do not let your mind be bewildered on seeing this terrible form of Mine. Free from fear and with a joyful heart, behold once again that familiar form of Mine."

मत्कर्मकृन्मत्परमो मद्भक्तः सङ्गवर्जितः |

"He who performs My work, who holds Me as the supreme goal, who is devoted to Me, free from attachment, and without enmity toward any living being—he comes to Me, O son of Pandu!"

सन्नियम्येन्द्रियग्रामं सर्वत्र समबुद्धयः |

"Having restrained all their senses, being even-minded under all conditions, and actively engaged in the welfare of all beings—they also reach Me alone."

क्षेत्रज्ञं चापि मां विद्धि सर्वक्षेत्रेषु भारत |

"Understand Me to be the Knower of the field in all fields, O Bharata. The knowledge of the field and the knower of the field is what I consider to be true knowledge."

सर्वतः पाणिपादं तत्सर्वतोऽक्षिशिरोमुखम् |

"With hands and feet everywhere, with eyes, heads, and mouths everywhere, and with ears everywhere in the universe, It exists, pervading everything."

उत्क्रामन्तं स्थितं वापि भुञ्जानं वा गुणान्वितम् |

"The deluded do not perceive Him when departing, staying, or experiencing, associated with the modes; but those who possess the eye of wisdom behold Him."

सर्वभूतेषु येनैकं भावमव्ययमीक्षते |

"That knowledge by which one sees a single, imperishable reality in all living beings, undivided in the divided, know that knowledge to be in the mode of goodness (Sattvik)."

कार्पण्यदोषोपहतस्वभावः

"My natural heart is overwhelmed by the taint of weakness, and my mind is confused about my duty (Dharma). I ask You: tell me decisively what is best for me. I am Your disciple; instruct me, who have surrendered to You."

आश्चर्यवत्पश्यति कश्चिदेन-

"Some behold the soul as marvelous, others speak of it as marvelous, and others hear of it as marvelous. Yet, even after hearing about it, no one understands it."

यततो ह्यपि कौन्तेय पुरुषस्य विपश्चितः |

"O son of Kunti, the turbulent senses can forcibly carry away the mind of even a wise person who is striving for self-control."

स एवायं मया तेऽद्य योगः प्रोक्तः पुरातनः |

"That very same ancient Yoga is today declared to you by Me, because you are My devotee and My friend; and this is indeed the supreme secret."

तद्विद्धि प्रणिपातेन परिप्रश्नेन सेवया |

"Learn this truth by surrendering to a spiritual master, by humble inquiry, and by service. The wise, who have seen the truth, will instruct you in this knowledge."

एतन्मे संशयं कृष्ण छेत्तुमर्हस्यशेषतः |

"Please dispel this doubt of mine completely, O Krishna; for there is no one else who can destroy this doubt except You."

बीजं मां सर्वभूतानां विद्धि पार्थ सनातनम् |

"O Partha, know Me to be the eternal seed of all living beings. I am the intelligence of the intelligent, and the splendor of the splendid."

सततं कीर्तयन्तो मां यतन्तश्च दृढव्रताः |

"Always glorifying Me, striving with firm resolve, offering homage to Me with devotion, they worship Me, constantly united with Me."

न मे विदुः सुरगणाः प्रभवं न महर्षयः |

"Neither the hosts of demigods nor the great sages know My origin, for I am the source of all the demigods and the great sages in every respect."

मन्यसे यदि तच्छक्यं मया द्रष्टुमिति प्रभो |

"If You think it is possible for me to see it, O Lord, then, O Master of Yoga, please reveal to me Your imperishable, cosmic Self."

ततः स विस्मयाविष्टो हृष्टरोमा धनञ्जयः |

"Then, filled with wonder, his hair standing on end, Dhananjaya (Arjuna) bowed his head to the Lord and, with folded hands, began to speak."

श्रीभगवानुवाच |

"The Supreme Lord said: I am mighty Time, the destroyer of the worlds, engaged here in annihilating people. Even without your participation, none of the warriors arrayed in the opposing armies shall survive."

सञ्जय उवाच |

"Sanjaya said: Having heard these words of Keshava, the crowned one (Arjuna), with folded hands and trembling, offered salutations. Bowing down again, he spoke to Krishna in a faltering voice, overwhelmed with fear."

यच्चावहासार्थमसत्कृतोऽसि

"And for whatever disrespect I may have shown You in jest, while playing, resting, sitting, or eating, whether alone or in the presence of others, O Achyuta (Infallible One), I beg forgiveness of You, the Immeasurable."

अमानित्वमदम्भित्वमहिंसा क्षान्तिरार्जवम् |

"Humility, absence of pride, non-violence, tolerance, simplicity, service to the teacher, purity, steadfastness, and self-control..."

तेजः क्षमा धृतिः शौचमद्रोहो नातिमानिता |

"Vigor, forgiveness, fortitude, purity, absence of malice, and absence of pride—these belong to one born of a divine nature, O Bharata."

अधिष्ठानं तथा कर्ता करणं च पृथग्विधम् |

"The physical body, the agent (ego), the various instruments, the diverse endeavors, and the fifth factor, which is providence (divine will)."

मन्मना भव मद्भक्तो मद्याजी मां नमस्कुरु |

"Fix your mind on Me, be devoted to Me, worship Me, and offer your obeisances unto Me. Thus you will come to Me indeed. I promise you this in truth, for you are dear to Me."

यदि मामप्रतीकारमशस्त्रं शस्त्रपाणयः |

"If the sons of Dhritarashtra, armed with weapons, were to kill me in battle while I am unarmed and unresisting, that would be better for me."

सञ्जय उवाच |

"Sanjaya said: Having spoken thus on the battlefield, Arjuna cast aside his bow and arrows and sat down in the chariot, his mind overwhelmed with grief."

कार्पण्यदोषोपहतस्वभावः

"My natural heart is overwhelmed by the taint of weakness, and my mind is confused about my duty (Dharma). I ask You: tell me decisively what is best for me. I am Your disciple; instruct me, who have surrendered to You."

यं संन्यासमिति प्राहुर्योगं तं विद्धि पाण्डव |

"O son of Pandu, know that what they call renunciation is identical to Yoga. For no one can become a yogi without renouncing selfish desires and projections."

दैवी ह्येषा गुणमयी मम माया दुरत्यया |

"This divine energy of Mine, composed of the three modes of nature, is difficult to cross over. But those who surrender to Me alone cross over this illusion."

अनन्याश्चिन्तयन्तो मां ये जनाः पर्युपासते |

"But for those who worship Me with undivided devotion, meditating on Me always, to them I carry what they lack and preserve what they have."

अर्जुन उवाच |

"Arjuna said: You are the Supreme Brahman, the Supreme Abode, the Supreme Purifier. You are the Eternal, Divine Person, the Primeval Lord, the Unborn and All-Pervading."

एवमेतद्यथात्थ त्वमात्मानं परमेश्वर |

"As You have declared Yourself to be, O Supreme Lord, even so it is. Yet, I desire to see Your sovereign, divine form, O Supreme Person."

मन्यसे यदि तच्छक्यं मया द्रष्टुमिति प्रभो |

"If You think it is possible for me to see it, O Lord, then, O Master of Yoga, please reveal to me Your imperishable, cosmic Self."

अमी हि त्वां सुरसङ्घा विशन्ति

"Verily, these hosts of demigods are entering into You; some, terrified, are chanting Your names with folded hands. Multitudes of great sages and perfected souls, shouting 'All auspiciousness!' are praising You with abundant hymns."

आख्याहि मे को भवानुग्ररूपो

"Tell me, who are You of such fierce form? Salutations to You, O Best of gods, be gracious! I desire to know You, the Primeval One, for I do not understand Your actions or purpose."

ततः पदं तत्परिमार्गितव्यं

"Then, one should seek that goal, having reached which they never return again, and surrender to that Primeval Purusha from whom streamed forth this ancient creation."

भक्त्या मामभिजानाति यावान्यश्चास्मि तत्त्वतः |

"By devotion he comes to know Me in truth, who and what I am. Then, having known Me in truth, he enters into My supreme being immediately."

सर्वकर्माण्यपि सदा कुर्वाणो मद्व्यपाश्रयः |

"Though constantly performing all kinds of actions, one who takes refuge in Me attains, by My grace, the eternal and imperishable abode."

मच्चित्तः सर्वदुर्गाणि मत्प्रसादात्तरिष्यसि |

"If you fix your mind on Me, you shall overcome all obstacles by My grace. But if, due to egoism, you do not listen to Me, you shall perish."

ईश्वरः सर्वभूतानां हृद्देशेऽर्जुन तिष्ठति |

"The Supreme Lord dwells in the heart of all beings, O Arjuna, causing all beings to spin by His illusory power, as if they were mounted on a machine."

तमेव शरणं गच्छ सर्वभावेन भारत |

"Surrender unto Him alone with your whole being, O Bhārata (Arjuna). By His grace, you shall attain supreme peace and the eternal, imperishable abode."

मन्मना भव मद्भक्तो मद्याजी मां नमस्कुरु |

"Fix your mind on Me, be devoted to Me, worship Me, and offer your obeisances unto Me. Thus you will come to Me indeed. I promise you this in truth, for you are dear to Me."

श्वशुरान्सुहृदश्चैव सेनयोरुभयोरपि |

"Seeing all these kinsmen standing there, the son of Kunti (Arjuna) was filled with deep compassion and spoke in sadness."

तमुवाच हृषीकेशः प्रहसन्निव भारत |

"O descendant of Bharata (Dhritarashtra), in the midst of both the armies, Hrishikesha (Krishna), smiling as it were, spoke these words to the grieving Arjuna."

देही नित्यमवध्योऽयं देहे सर्वस्य भारत |

"O Bharata, the soul that dwells in the body of everyone is eternally indestructible. Therefore, you should not grieve for any living being."

न बुद्धिभेदं जनयेदज्ञानां कर्मसङ्गिनाम् |

"The wise should not create confusion in the minds of the ignorant who are attached to action. Rather, performing all actions in a disciplined manner, they should encourage others to do the same."

प्रकृतेर्गुणसम्मूढाः सज्जन्ते गुणकर्मसु |

"Those bewildered by the modes of nature become attached to the activities of the modes. The wise person, who possesses complete knowledge, should not disturb these dull-witted people who have incomplete knowledge."

यज्ज्ञात्वा न पुनर्मोहमेवं यास्यसि पाण्डव |

"Knowing this, O son of Pandu, you will never fall into such delusion again. By this knowledge, you will see all living beings in your own Self, and thus in Me."

विद्याविनयसम्पन्ने ब्राह्मणे गवि हस्तिनि |

"The wise look with equal vision upon a learned and humble priest, a cow, an elephant, a dog, and a dog-eater (an outcast)."

सुहृन्मित्रार्युदासीनमध्यस्थद्वेष्यबन्धुषु |

"One who regards with equal mind well-wishers, friends, enemies, neutrals, arbiters, the hateful, relatives, the virtuous, and even the sinners, is highly distinguished."

सर्वभूतस्थमात्मानं सर्वभूतानि चात्मनि |

"One who is integrated in Yoga sees the Self in all living beings, and all living beings in the Self. Indeed, the self-realized person looks upon all with an equal eye."

सर्वभूतस्थितं यो मां भजत्येकत्वमास्थितः |

"He who worships Me residing in all beings, established in oneness, dwells in Me at all times, no matter how he behaves in the world."

आत्मौपम्येन सर्वत्र समं पश्यति योऽर्जुन |

"O Arjuna, he is considered the highest yogi who sees others as equal to himself, looking upon the pleasure and pain of all beings as if it were his own."

न च मत्स्थानि भूतानि पश्य मे योगमैश्वरम् |

"And yet, beings do not dwell in Me. Behold My divine mystery! My Self, though the creator and sustainer of all beings, does not dwell in them."

मत्कर्मकृन्मत्परमो मद्भक्तः सङ्गवर्जितः |

"He who performs My work, who holds Me as the supreme goal, who is devoted to Me, free from attachment, and without enmity toward any living being—he comes to Me, O son of Pandu!"

अद्वेष्टा सर्वभूतानां मैत्रः करुण एव च |

"He who does not hate any living being, who is friendly and compassionate, free from the sense of ownership and ego, even-minded in pleasure and pain, and forgiving..."

समं पश्यन्हि सर्वत्र समवस्थितमीश्वरम् |

"Seeing the same Supreme Lord present everywhere, he does not destroy the Self by the self; and thus he attains the supreme goal."

अहिंसा सत्यमक्रोधस्त्यागः शान्तिरपैशुनम् |

"Non-injury, truthfulness, freedom from anger, renunciation, peacefulness, aversion to slander, compassion to all living beings, freedom from greed, gentleness, modesty, and absence of fickleness..."

सर्वगुह्यतमं भूयः शृणु मे परमं वचः |

"Hear again My supreme word, the most confidential of all. Because you are exceedingly dear to Me, I speak this for your benefit."

धृतराष्ट्र उवाच |

"Dhritarashtra said: O Sanjaya, assembled on the holy field of Kurukshetra, eager to fight, what did my sons and the sons of Pandu do?"

तत्रापश्यत्स्थितान्पार्थः पितॄनथ पितामहान् |

"There, Arjuna saw stationed before him grandfathers, teachers, maternal uncles, brothers, sons, grandsons, and companions."

येषामर्थे काङ्क्षितं नो राज्यं भोगाः सुखानि च |

"Those for whose sake we desire kingdom, enjoyments, and pleasures are standing here in battle, having renounced their lives and wealth—"

आचार्याः पितरः पुत्रास्तथैव च पितामहाः |

"teachers, fathers, sons, grandfathers, maternal uncles, fathers-in-law, grandsons, brothers-in-law, and other relatives."

एतान्न हन्तुमिच्छामि घ्नतोऽपि मधुसूदन |

"O Madhusudana, even if they kill me, I do not wish to kill them, even for the sovereignty of the three worlds, let alone for this earth."

अव्यक्तादीनि भूतानि व्यक्तमध्यानि भारत |

"All beings are unmanifest in their origin, manifest in their middle state, O Bharata, and unmanifest again in their end. What is there to grieve about in this?"

कामात्मानः स्वर्गपरा जन्मकर्मफलप्रदाम् |

"They are full of desires and regard heaven as their highest goal. They engage in elaborate rituals that promise good birth, power, and sense enjoyment, which only lead to further rebirth and karma."

भोगैश्वर्यप्रसक्तानां तयापहृतचेतसाम् |

"In the minds of those who are too attached to sense enjoyment and material wealth, and whose intellect is stolen by these desires, the resolute determination for samadhi does not arise."

योगस्थः कुरु कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा धनञ्जय |

"Perform your duty with an even mind, O Arjuna, abandoning all attachment to success or failure. Such equanimity is called Yoga."

ध्यायतो विषयान्पुंसः सङ्गस्तेषूपजायते |

"While contemplating the objects of the senses, a person develops attachment to them. From attachment, desire is born; and from desire, anger arises."

पुरुषः प्रकृतिस्थो हि भुङ्क्ते प्रकृतिजान्गुणान् |

"The spirit (Purusha), seated in nature (Prakriti), experiences the qualities (gunas) born of nature. Attachment to these qualities is the cause of its birth in good and evil wombs."

सत्त्वं सुखे सञ्जयति रजः कर्मणि भारत |

"Sattva binds one to happiness, Rajas binds one to action, O Bharata; while Tamas, shrouding knowledge, binds one to negligence."

इदमद्य मया लब्धमिमं प्राप्स्ये मनोरथम् |

"'This I have gained today, this desire I shall obtain; this wealth is mine, and this also shall be mine in the future.'"

श्रीभगवानुवाच |

"The Supreme Lord said: The sages understand renunciation (Sanyasa) to be the casting off of actions driven by desire. The wise declare abandonment (Tyaga) to be the giving up of the fruits of all actions."

अनिष्टमिष्टं मिश्रं च त्रिविधं कर्मणः फलम् |

"The threefold fruit of action—disagreeable (Anishta), agreeable (Ishta), and mixed (Mishra)—accrues after death to those who do not renounce fruits, but never to those who renounce."

यया तु धर्मकामार्थान्धृत्या धारयतेऽर्जुन |

"But that fortitude (Dhriti) by which one clings to duty (dharma), pleasure (kama), and wealth (artha), O Arjuna, driven by attachment and craving for rewards, is in the mode of passion (Rajasic)."

आश्चर्यवत्पश्यति कश्चिदेन-

"Some behold the soul as marvelous, others speak of it as marvelous, and others hear of it as marvelous. Yet, even after hearing about it, no one understands it."

श्रीभगवानुवाच |

"The Supreme Lord said: I taught this eternal science of Yoga to Vivasvan (the Sun-god); Vivasvan taught it to Manu (the father of mankind); and Manu declared it to Ikshvaku (the founder of the solar dynasty)."

रसोऽहमप्सु कौन्तेय प्रभास्मि शशिसूर्ययोः |

"O son of Kunti, I am the taste in water, the light of the moon and the sun, the sacred syllable OM in all the Vedas, the sound in space, and the ability in human beings."

कविं पुराणमनुशासितार-

"One should meditate upon the omniscient, ancient, ruler, minuter than the atom, supporter of all, of inconceivable form, resplendent like the sun, beyond all darkness."

पुरुषः स परः पार्थ भक्त्या लभ्यस्त्वनन्यया |

"That Supreme Person, O Partha, is attainable by unswerving devotion alone; within Him all beings dwell, and by Him all this universe is pervaded."

एतां विभूतिं योगं च मम यो वेत्ति तत्त्वतः |

"One who knows in truth this divine glory and yogic power of Mine becomes united with Me in unwavering yoga. Of this there is no doubt."

अर्जुन उवाच |

"Arjuna said: You are the Supreme Brahman, the Supreme Abode, the Supreme Purifier. You are the Eternal, Divine Person, the Primeval Lord, the Unborn and All-Pervading."

यद्यद्विभूतिमत्सत्त्वं श्रीमदूर्जितमेव वा |

"Whatever glorious, beautiful, or mighty being exists, know that to be manifested from a fraction of My splendor."

पश्यादित्यान्वसून्रुद्रानश्विनौ मरुतस्तथा |

"Behold the Adityas, the Vasus, the Rudras, the Ashvins, and also the Maruts. Behold, O Bharata, many wonders never seen before."

ततः स विस्मयाविष्टो हृष्टरोमा धनञ्जयः |

"Then, filled with wonder, his hair standing on end, Dhananjaya (Arjuna) bowed his head to the Lord and, with folded hands, began to speak."

अमी हि त्वां सुरसङ्घा विशन्ति

"Verily, these hosts of demigods are entering into You; some, terrified, are chanting Your names with folded hands. Multitudes of great sages and perfected souls, shouting 'All auspiciousness!' are praising You with abundant hymns."

रुद्रादित्या वसवो ये च साध्या

"The Rudras, Adityas, Vasus, Sadhyas, Vishvadevas, Ashvins, Maruts, Ushmapas, Gandharvas, Yakshas, Asuras, and perfected Siddhas—they are all gazing upon You, completely amazed."

वायुर्यमोऽग्निर्वरुणः शशाङ्कः

"You are the wind, the god of death, fire, water, the moon, the creator Brahma, and the Great-Grandfather of all. Salutations to You a thousand times, and again and yet again, salutations, salutations to You!"

अदृष्टपूर्वं हृषितोऽस्मि दृष्ट्वा

"Having seen what has never been seen before, I am filled with joy; yet my mind is distressed with fear. Show me that familiar form of Yours, O Lord! Be gracious, O Lord of gods, O Sanctuary of the universe!"

सञ्जय उवाच |

"Sanjaya said: Thus I have heard this wonderful dialogue between Vāsudeva (Krishna) and the high-souled Pārtha (Arjuna), which makes my hair stand on end."

तच्च संस्मृत्य संस्मृत्य रूपमत्यद्भुतं हरेः |

"And as I repeatedly recall that most wonderful cosmic form of Lord Hari, I am filled with great wonder, O King, and I rejoice again and again."

यज्ञशिष्टाशिनः सन्तो मुच्यन्ते सर्वकिल्बिषैः |

"The righteous who eat the remnants of sacrifice are freed from all sins. But those sinners who cook food only for their own pleasure eat only sin."

ये त्वेतदभ्यसूयन्तो नानुतिष्ठन्ति मे मतम् |

"But those who, out of envy and malice, do not practice My teachings, know them to be completely deluded of all knowledge, senseless, and ruined."

न मां दुष्कृतिनो मूढाः प्रपद्यन्ते नराधमाः |

"The wicked, the foolish, the lowest of humanity, whose wisdom has been stolen by illusion, and who possess the demoniac nature, do not surrender to Me."

मोघाशा मोघकर्माणो मोघज्ञाना विचेतसः |

"Possessing vain hopes, performing vain actions, and harboring vain knowledge, these bewildered people embrace a deluded, demoniac, and fiendish nature."

दम्भो दर्पोऽभिमानश्च क्रोधः पारुष्यमेव च |

"Hypocrisy, pride, arrogance, anger, harshness, and ignorance—these belong to one born of a demoniac nature, O Partha."

इदमद्य मया लब्धमिमं प्राप्स्ये मनोरथम् |

"'This I have gained today, this desire I shall obtain; this wealth is mine, and this also shall be mine in the future.'"

असौ मया हतः शत्रुर्हनिष्ये चापरानपि |

"'That enemy has been slain by me, and others also I shall slay. I am the lord, I am the enjoyer, I am successful, powerful, and happy.'"

अहंकारं बलं दर्पं कामं क्रोधं च संश्रिताः |

"Clinging to egoism, power, pride, lust, and anger, these malicious people mock Me in their own bodies and in those of others."

अशास्त्रविहितं घोरं तप्यन्ते ये तपो जनाः |

"Those persons who undergo severe, unscriptural austerities, filled with hypocrisy and egotism, and driven by the force of desire and attachment..."

अभिसन्धाय तु फलं दम्भार्थमपि चैव यत् |

"But that sacrifice which is offered seeking a reward, and for the sake of ostentation and show, O best of the Bharatas, know that to be in the mode of passion (Rajasic)."

दुःखमित्येव यत्कर्म कायक्लेशभयात्त्यजेत् |

"He who abandons duty because it is difficult, or out of fear of physical discomfort, performs passionate abandonment (Rajasic). He certainly does not gain the fruit of abandonment."

अधिष्ठानं तथा कर्ता करणं च पृथग्विधम् |

"The physical body, the agent (ego), the various instruments, the diverse endeavors, and the fifth factor, which is providence (divine will)."

तत्रैवं सति कर्तारमात्मानं केवलं तु यः |

"This being the case, he who, due to an untrained intellect, views the absolute Self as the sole agent of action, is of perverted intelligence and does not see reality."

पृथक्त्वेन तु यज्ज्ञानं नानाभावान्पृथग्विधान् |

"But that knowledge which perceives different entities of various kinds as distinct from one another in all living beings—know that knowledge to be in the mode of passion (Rajasic)."

यत्तु कामेप्सुना कर्म साहंकारेण वा पुनः |

"But that action which is performed with great effort, by one who seeks to gratify their desires, or is driven by egotism, is declared to be in the mode of passion (Rajasic)."

मच्चित्तः सर्वदुर्गाणि मत्प्रसादात्तरिष्यसि |

"If you fix your mind on Me, you shall overcome all obstacles by My grace. But if, due to egoism, you do not listen to Me, you shall perish."

यं हि न व्यथयन्त्येते पुरुषं पुरुषर्षभ |

"O noblest of men (Arjuna), the wise person who is not afflicted by these, and who remains steady in both pain and pleasure, is fit for immortality."

न जायते म्रियते वा कदाचिन्

"The soul is never born, nor does it die at any time. It has not come into being, does not come into being, and will not come into being. It is unborn, eternal, ever-existing, and primeval. It is not slain when the body is slain."

नास्ति बुद्धिरयुक्तस्य न चायुक्तस्य भावना |

"There is no spiritual intellect for the undisciplined, nor is there capacity for meditation. Without meditation, there is no peace; and for the peaceless, how can there be happiness?"

आपूर्यमाणमचलप्रतिष्ठं

"Just as the ocean remains steady and undisturbed though filled by rivers pouring water into it from all sides, a person who remains undisturbed by the flow of desires entering their mind attains peace, not one who runs after desires."

विहाय कामान्यः सर्वान्पुमांश्चरति निःस्पृहः |

"One who abandons all desires, living without cravings, free from the sense of ownership and ego, attains absolute peace."

एषा ब्राह्मी स्थितिः पार्थ नैनां प्राप्य विमुह्यति |

"This is the divine state, O Partha. Attaining this, one is never deluded again. Established in this state even at the hour of death, one attains liberation in the Supreme."

त्यक्त्वा कर्मफलासङ्गं नित्यतृप्तो निराश्रयः |

"Having abandoned all attachment to the fruits of action, ever content, and dependent on nothing, such a person, even though fully engaged in action, does not perform any action at all."

यतेन्द्रियमनोबुद्धिर्मुनिर्मोक्षपरायणः |

"controlling the senses, mind, and intellect, the sage dedicated to liberation, free from desire, fear, and anger, is indeed eternally liberated."

भोक्तारं यज्ञतपसां सर्वलोकमहेश्वरम् |

"Knowing Me as the enjoyer of all sacrifices and penances, the supreme Lord of all worlds, and the friend of all living beings, one attains peace."

युञ्जन्नेवं सदात्मानं योगी नियतमानसः |

"Thus constantly training the mind in meditation, the yogi of disciplined mind attains the peace of supreme liberation which dwells in Me."

योगिनामपि सर्वेषां मद्गतेनान्तरात्मना |

"And of all yogis, he who worships Me with faith, his inner self absorbed in Me, is considered by Me to be the most intimately united."

बहूनां जन्मनामन्ते ज्ञानवान्मां प्रपद्यते |

"At the end of many births, the wise one surrenders to Me, realizing that Vasudeva is all that exists. Such a great soul is extremely rare."

साधिभूताधिदैवं मां साधियज्ञं च ये विदुः |

"Those who know Me as the governing principle of the material realm, the divine realm, and the sacrificial realm, can know Me even at the time of death, their minds being united with Me."

ओमित्येकाक्षरं ब्रह्म व्याहरन्मामनुस्मरन् |

"Uttering the single syllable OM, which is Brahman, and remembering Me as he departs, he who quits the body attains the supreme goal."

एतैर्विमुक्तः कौन्तेय तमोद्वारैस्त्रिभिर्नरः |

"Released from these three gates of darkness, O son of Kunti, a person acts for the welfare of his soul, and thereby reaches the supreme goal."

तमेव शरणं गच्छ सर्वभावेन भारत |

"Surrender unto Him alone with your whole being, O Bhārata (Arjuna). By His grace, you shall attain supreme peace and the eternal, imperishable abode."

हतो वा प्राप्स्यसि स्वर्गं जित्वा वा भोक्ष्यसे महीम् |

"Either you will be killed in battle and attain heaven, or you will conquer and enjoy the earth. Therefore, arise, O son of Kunti, determined to fight."

एषा तेऽभिहिता साङ्ख्ये बुद्धिर्योगे त्विमां शृणु |

"This wisdom has been declared to you from the analytical standpoint of Sankhya. Now hear this wisdom from the practical standpoint of Yoga, by which, O Partha, you will throw off the bonds of karma."

अर्जुन उवाच |

"Arjuna said: O Janardana, if you consider knowledge to be superior to action, why then do you urge me to engage in this terrible war, O Keshava?"

एवं ज्ञात्वा कृतं कर्म पूर्वैरपि मुमुक्षुभिः |

"Knowing this truth, the seekers of liberation in ancient times also performed action. Therefore, you should perform your duty as did the ancients in former times."

एवं बहुविधा यज्ञा वितता ब्रह्मणो मुखे |

"In this way, many varieties of sacrifices are spread out in the mouth of Brahman (or the Vedas). Know them all to be born of action; knowing this, you shall be liberated."

योगसंन्यस्तकर्माणं ज्ञानसञ्छिन्नसंशयम् |

"O conqueror of wealth, one who has surrendered all actions through yoga, whose doubts are slashed by knowledge, and who is self-possessed, is not bound by actions."

तस्मादज्ञानसम्भूतं हृत्स्थं ज्ञानासिनात्मनः |

"Therefore, slash with the sword of knowledge this doubt in your heart born of ignorance. Establish yourself in Yoga and arise, O Bharata!"

श्रीभगवानुवाच |

"The Supreme Lord said: Both the renunciation of action and the yoga of action lead to the supreme goal. But of the two, Karma Yoga is superior to the renunciation of action."

साङ्ख्ययोगौ पृथग्बालाः प्रवदन्ति न पण्डिताः |

"Only the ignorant—not the wise—speak of analytical study (Sankhya) and selfless action (Yoga) as different. One who is firmly established in even one of them attains the fruits of both."

आरुरुक्षोर्मुनेर्योगं कर्म कारणमुच्यते |

"For the sage who wishes to ascend to the heights of Yoga, selfless action is said to be the means. For one who has ascended to Yoga, silence and tranquility are said to be the means."

तपस्विभ्योऽधिको योगी ज्ञानिभ्योऽपि मतोऽधिकः |

"A yogi is superior to the ascetics, superior to the scholars, and superior to the ritualistic workers. Therefore, O Arjuna, be a yogi!"

श्रीभगवानुवाच |

"The Supreme Lord said: The indestructible, supreme reality is Brahman. Its essential nature (the soul) is called Adhyatma. The creative force that causes the manifestation of the existence of beings is called Karma."

द्रोणं च भीष्मं च जयद्रथं च

"Slay Drona, Bhishma, Jayadratha, Karna, and the other brave warriors who are already destroyed by Me. Do not fear; just fight, and you will conquer your enemies in battle."

श्रीभगवानुवाच |

"The Supreme Lord said: The sages understand renunciation (Sanyasa) to be the casting off of actions driven by desire. The wise declare abandonment (Tyaga) to be the giving up of the fruits of all actions."

शरीरवाङ्मनोभिर्यत्कर्म प्रारभते नरः |

"Whatever action a person undertakes with body, speech, or mind, whether right or wrong—these five are its causes."

व्यवसायात्मिका बुद्धिरेकेह कुरुनन्दन |

"Those who are on this path are resolute in purpose, and their aim is one, O beloved child of the Kurus. The intelligence of the irresolute is many-branched and endless."

यदा संहरते चायं कूर्मोऽङ्गानीव सर्वशः |

"When one can withdraw their senses from their objects on all sides, just as a tortoise withdraws its limbs into its shell, their wisdom is firmly established."

नास्ति बुद्धिरयुक्तस्य न चायुक्तस्य भावना |

"There is no spiritual intellect for the undisciplined, nor is there capacity for meditation. Without meditation, there is no peace; and for the peaceless, how can there be happiness?"

तस्माद्यस्य महाबाहो निगृहीतानि सर्वशः |

"Therefore, O mighty-armed Arjuna, one whose senses are completely restrained from their objects on all sides has their wisdom firmly established."

नियतं कुरु कर्म त्वं कर्म ज्यायो ह्यकर्मणः |

"Perform your prescribed duties, for action is indeed superior to inaction. Even the maintenance of your physical body would be impossible without action."

परित्राणाय साधूनां विनाशाय च दुष्कृताम् |

"For the protection of the good, for the destruction of the wicked, and for the firm establishment of righteousness, I manifest Myself age after age."

श्रोत्रादीनीन्द्रियाण्यन्ये संयमाग्निषु जुह्वति |

"Some offer the hearing and other senses in the fires of restraint; while others offer sound and other sense objects in the fires of the senses."

संन्यासस्तु महाबाहो दुःखमाप्तुमयोगतः |

"But renunciation of action, O mighty-armed one, is difficult to attain without the practice of Karma Yoga. The sage integrated in Yoga attains Brahman without delay."

उद्धरेदात्मनात्मानं नात्मानमवसादयेत् |

"Let a person elevate themselves by their own mind, and not degrade themselves. For the mind is the friend of the self, and the mind is also the enemy of the self."

युञ्जन्नेवं सदात्मानं योगी नियतमानसः |

"Thus constantly training the mind in meditation, the yogi of disciplined mind attains the peace of supreme liberation which dwells in Me."

सङ्कल्पप्रभवान्कामांस्त्यक्त्वा सर्वानशेषतः |

"Abandoning without exception all desires born of mental projections, and fully regulating the group of senses from all sides by the mind alone,"

असंयतात्मना योगो दुष्प्राप इति मे मतिः |

"For one whose mind is uncontrolled, self-realization is difficult to attain, in My opinion. But one whose mind is controlled and who strives by proper means can achieve it."

येषां त्वन्तगतं पापं जनानां पुण्यकर्मणाम् |

"But those people of virtuous deeds, whose sins have come to an end, freed from the delusion of dualities, worship Me with firm resolve."

यदक्षरं वेदविदो वदन्ति

"That state which the knowers of the Veda call Imperishable (Akshara), which the self-controlled ascetics free from passion enter, desiring which they practice celibacy (brahmacharya), that goal I shall briefly declare to you."

यत्तदग्रे विषमिव परिणामेऽमृतोपमम् |

"That happiness which in the beginning is like poison, but in the end is like nectar, born of the clarity of one's own intellect—that is declared to be in the mode of goodness (Sattvik)."

अन्ये च बहवः शूरा मदर्थे त्यक्तजीविताः |

"And there are many other heroes who are prepared to lay down their lives for my sake, equipped with various weapons, and all skilled in warfare."

तस्य सञ्जनयन्हर्षं कुरुवृद्धः पितामहः |

"Then, the valiant Bhishma, the grandsire of the Kuru dynasty, blew his conch shell, sounding like a lion's roar, to bring joy to Duryodhana's heart."

अर्जुन उवाच |

"Arjuna said: O Madhusudana, how can I counter-attack with arrows in battle Bhishma and Drona, who are worthy of my worship, O slayer of enemies?"

अन्तवन्त इमे देहा नित्यस्योक्ताः शरीरिणः |

"These physical bodies of the eternal, indestructible, and immeasurable embodied soul are said to have an end. Therefore, fight, O descendant of Bharata."

स्वधर्ममपि चावेक्ष्य न विकम्पितुमर्हसि |

"Considering your own duty, you should not waver. Indeed, there is no greater engagement for a warrior than a righteous battle."

उत्सीदेयुरिमे लोका न कुर्यां कर्म चेदहम् |

"If I were to stop performing action, these worlds would fall into ruin. I would be the cause of confusion of values and would destroy all these living beings."

श्रीभगवानुवाच |

"The Supreme Lord said: One who performs prescribed duties without depending on the fruits of action is a sanyasi and a yogi, not the one who does not light the sacrificial fire or performs no work."

तस्मात्सर्वेषु कालेषु मामनुस्मर युध्य च |

"Therefore, at all times, remember Me and fight. With your mind and intellect surrendered to Me, you will surely come to Me without doubt."

पवनः पवतामस्मि रामः शस्त्रभृतामहम् |

"Among purifiers I am the wind; among weapon-wielders I am Rama. Among fish I am the shark, and among flowing rivers I am the Ganges."

तस्मात्त्वमुत्तिष्ठ यशो लभस्व

"Therefore, stand up and attain glory! Conquer your enemies and enjoy a prosperous kingdom. These warriors have already been slain by Me alone; be you merely an instrument, O ambidextrous archer."

तस्माच्छास्त्रं प्रमाणं ते कार्याकार्यव्यवस्थितौ |

"Therefore, let the scriptures be your authority in determining what ought to be done and what ought not to be done. Knowing what is declared in scriptures, perform your duty in this world."

अफलाङ्क्षिभिर्यज्ञो विधिदृष्टो य इज्यते |

"Sacrifice which is offered according to scriptural rules, by those who do not desire any reward, with the firm conviction that 'it ought to be done,' is in the mode of goodness (Sattvik)."

दातव्यमिति यद्दानं दीयतेऽनुपकारिणे |

"Charity which is given with the thought 'it is my duty to give,' to one who does no return service, at the proper place and time, and to a worthy person, is held to be in the mode of goodness (Sattvik)."

कार्यमित्येव यत्कर्म नियतं क्रियतेऽर्जुन |

"When obligatory duty is performed simply because it ought to be done, O Arjuna, abandoning attachment and the desire for fruit—that abandonment is held to be in the mode of goodness (Sattvik)."

नियतं सङ्गरहितमरागद्वेषतः कृतम् |

"Action which is obligatory, performed without attachment, without love or hatred, by one who does not seek its fruit, is said to be in the mode of goodness (Sattvik)."

अविनाशि तु तद्विद्धि येन सर्वमिदं ततम् |

"Know that to be indestructible by which all this is pervaded. No one can destroy this imperishable soul."

या निशा सर्वभूतानां तस्यां जागर्ति संयमी |

"What is night for all living beings is the time of awakening for the self-controlled sage. And what is the time of awakening for all beings is night for the wise muni."

एषा ब्राह्मी स्थितिः पार्थ नैनां प्राप्य विमुह्यति |

"This is the divine state, O Partha. Attaining this, one is never deluded again. Established in this state even at the hour of death, one attains liberation in the Supreme."

अजोऽपि सन्नव्ययात्मा भूतानामीश्वरोऽपि सन् |

"Although I am unborn, and My transcendental body never decays, and although I am the Lord of all living beings, yet, established in My own nature, I manifest Myself by My own divine energy."

योगयुक्तो विशुद्धात्मा विजितात्मा जितेन्द्रियः |

"One who is integrated in Yoga, who has a pure mind, who has controlled the body and conquered the senses, and who sees their own Self as the Self of all living beings, is never tainted even though acting."

अपरेयमितस्त्वन्यां प्रकृतिं विद्धि मे पराम् |

"This is My lower nature, O mighty-armed one. But know that beyond this is My higher nature, which consists of the living entities by which this entire universe is sustained."

अव्यक्तं व्यक्तिमापन्नं मन्यन्ते मामबुद्धयः |

"The unintelligent think of Me, the unmanifest, as having become manifest, not knowing My supreme, imperishable, and unsurpassed nature."

परस्तस्मात्तु भावोऽन्योऽव्यक्तोऽव्यक्तात्सनातनः |

"But beyond this unmanifest, there is another eternal unmanifest state of being, which does not perish when all living beings perish."

मया ततमिदं सर्वं जगदव्यक्तमूर्तिना |

"By Me, in My unmanifest form, this entire universe is pervaded. All beings dwell in Me, but I do not dwell in them."

वेदानां सामवेदोऽस्मि देवानामस्मि वासवः |

"Among the Vedas I am the Sama Veda; among the demigods I am Indra; among the senses I am the mind; and in living beings I am consciousness."

ज्योतिषामपि तज्ज्योतिस्तमसः परमुच्यते |

"That is the Light of all lights, declared to be beyond the darkness of ignorance. It is knowledge itself, the object of knowledge, and the goal of knowledge, seated in the hearts of all."

कार्यकारणकर्तृत्वे हेतुः प्रकृतिरुच्यते |

"Prakriti is said to be the cause of generating the physical body and senses (cause and effect); while Purusha is said to be the cause of experiencing pleasure and pain."

यथा प्रकाशयत्येकः कृत्स्नं लोकमिमं रविः |

"Just as the single sun illuminates this entire world, so the Knower of the field (the Self) illuminates the entire field, O Bharata!"

ममैवांशो जीवलोके जीवभूतः सनातनः |

"An eternal fragment of My own Self becomes the individual soul in the world of life. It attracts the five senses and the mind, which reside in material nature."

त्रिभिर्गुणमयैर्भावैरेभिः सर्वमिदं जगत् |

"Bewildered by these three states composed of the modes of nature, this entire world does not know Me, who am superior to them and imperishable."

अप्रकाशोऽप्रवृत्तिश्च प्रमादो मोह एव च |

"Darkness, inactivity, negligence, and complete delusion—these qualities arise when Tamas is predominant, O joy of the Kuru dynasty."

असौ मया हतः शत्रुर्हनिष्ये चापरानपि |

"'That enemy has been slain by me, and others also I shall slay. I am the lord, I am the enjoyer, I am successful, powerful, and happy.'"

अनेकचित्तविभ्रान्ता मोहजालसमावृताः |

"Bewildered by many thoughts, caught in the net of delusion, and addicted to the gratification of desires, they fall into a foul hell."

आसुरीं योनिमापन्ना मूढा जन्मनि जन्मनि |

"Entering demoniac wombs, birth after birth, these deluded souls sink to the lowest depths, O son of Kunti, without ever reaching Me."

मूढग्राहेणात्मनो यत्पीडया क्रियते तपः |

"Austerity which is performed out of foolish conviction, with self-torture, or for the purpose of destroying or injuring others, is declared to be in the mode of ignorance (Tamasic)."

नियतस्य तु संन्यासः कर्मणो नोपपद्यते |

"Indeed, the renunciation of obligatory duties is not proper. Abandoning them due to delusion is declared to be in the mode of ignorance (Tamasic)."

तत्रैवं सति कर्तारमात्मानं केवलं तु यः |

"This being the case, he who, due to an untrained intellect, views the absolute Self as the sole agent of action, is of perverted intelligence and does not see reality."

यत्तु कृत्स्नवदेकस्मिन्कार्ये सक्तमहैतुकम् |

"And that knowledge which clings to a single effect as if it were the whole, without reason, without foundation in truth, and narrow—that is declared to be in the mode of ignorance (Tamasic)."

अनुबन्धं क्षयं हिंसामनपेक्ष्य च पौरुषम् |

"That action which is undertaken through delusion, without regard to consequences, loss, injury, or one's own capability, is said to be in the mode of ignorance (Tamasic)."

अधर्मं धर्ममिति या मन्यते तमसावृता |

"That intellect which, wrapped in darkness, regards irreligion (adharma) as religion (dharma), and sees all things in a distorted, reverse way, O Partha, is in the mode of ignorance (Tamasic)."

स्वभावजेन कौन्तेय निबद्धः स्वेन कर्मणा |

"O son of Kunti, bound by your own natural karma born of your own nature, that which you do not wish to do out of delusion, you will do helplessly indeed."

ईश्वरः सर्वभूतानां हृद्देशेऽर्जुन तिष्ठति |

"The Supreme Lord dwells in the heart of all beings, O Arjuna, causing all beings to spin by His illusory power, as if they were mounted on a machine."

कच्चिदेतच्छ्रुतं पार्थ त्वयैकाग्रेण चेतसा |

"Has this been heard by you, O Partha, with a focused mind? Has your delusion born of ignorance been destroyed, O Dhananjaya?"

धृतराष्ट्र उवाच |

"Dhritarashtra said: O Sanjaya, assembled on the holy field of Kurukshetra, eager to fight, what did my sons and the sons of Pandu do?"

पश्यैतां पाण्डुपुत्राणामाचार्य महतीं चमूम् |

"Behold, O Teacher, this mighty army of the sons of Pandu, arranged in battle formation by the son of Drupada, your talented disciple."

योत्स्यमानानवेक्षेऽहं य एतेऽत्र समागताः |

"Let me look upon those who have assembled here, wishing to please the evil-minded son of Dhritarashtra by fighting on his side."

य एनं वेत्ति हन्तारं यश्चैनं मन्यते हतम् |

"He who thinks that the soul is the slayer, and he who thinks that the soul is slain, both of them are ignorant. The soul neither slays nor is slain."

वेदाविनाशिनं नित्यं य एनमजमव्ययम् |

"O Partha, how can a person who knows the soul to be indestructible, eternal, unborn, and imperishable, kill anyone or cause anyone to kill?"

अवाच्यवादांश्च बहून्वदिष्यन्ति तवाहिताः |

"Your enemies will speak many unspeakable words, mocking your strength. What could be more painful than that?"

कामात्मानः स्वर्गपरा जन्मकर्मफलप्रदाम् |

"They are full of desires and regard heaven as their highest goal. They engage in elaborate rituals that promise good birth, power, and sense enjoyment, which only lead to further rebirth and karma."

दूरेण ह्यवरं कर्म बुद्धियोगाद्धनञ्जय |

"O Dhananjaya, action driven by desire is far inferior to the yoga of wisdom. Take shelter in this wisdom. Miserable are those who seek the fruits of their actions."

विहाय कामान्यः सर्वान्पुमांश्चरति निःस्पृहः |

"One who abandons all desires, living without cravings, free from the sense of ownership and ego, attains absolute peace."

प्रकृतेः क्रियमाणानि गुणैः कर्माणि सर्वशः |

"All actions are performed in all cases by the modes of material nature. But the one whose mind is bewildered by egotism thinks, 'I am the doer.'"

न मां कर्माणि लिम्पन्ति न मे कर्मफले स्पृहा |

"Actions do not taint Me, nor do I desire the fruits of action. He who understands this truth about Me is also not bound by actions."

भूमिरापोऽनलो वायुः खं मनो बुद्धिरेव च |

"Earth, water, fire, air, space, mind, intellect, and ego—these eight constitute My divided material nature."

आब्रह्मभुवनाल्लोकाः पुनरावर्तिनोऽर्जुन |

"From the highest realm of Brahma down to the lowest, all worlds are subject to repeated birth and death, O Arjuna. But having attained Me, O son of Kunti, there is no rebirth."

श्रीभगवानुवाच |

"The Supreme Lord said: The sages understand renunciation (Sanyasa) to be the casting off of actions driven by desire. The wise declare abandonment (Tyaga) to be the giving up of the fruits of all actions."

श्रीभगवानुवाच |

"The Supreme Lord said: While speaking words of wisdom, you are mourning for what is not worthy of grief. The wise lament neither for the living nor for the dead."

जातस्य हि ध्रुवो मृत्युर्ध्रुवं जन्म मृतस्य च |

"For one who is born, death is certain; and for one who dies, birth is certain. Therefore, you should not grieve over the inevitable."

अव्यक्तादीनि भूतानि व्यक्तमध्यानि भारत |

"All beings are unmanifest in their origin, manifest in their middle state, O Bharata, and unmanifest again in their end. What is there to grieve about in this?"

यदृच्छया चोपपन्नं स्वर्गद्वारमपावृतम् |

"O Partha, happy are the warriors who obtain unsought such an opportunity for battle, which is like an open door to heaven."

या निशा सर्वभूतानां तस्यां जागर्ति संयमी |

"What is night for all living beings is the time of awakening for the self-controlled sage. And what is the time of awakening for all beings is night for the wise muni."

श्रीभगवानुवाच |

"The Supreme Lord said: Many births of Mine have passed, and also of yours, O Arjuna. I know all of them, but you do not know them, O subduer of enemies."

ये यथा मां प्रपद्यन्ते तांस्तथैव भजाम्यहम् |

"In whatever way people surrender unto Me, in that same way I reciprocate with them. O Partha, all human beings follow My path in every way."

यत्साङ्ख्यैः प्राप्यते स्थानं तद्योगैरपि गम्यते |

"The state that is attained by the analytical thinkers is also reached by the active yogis. He who sees Sankhya and Yoga as one, truly sees."

कविं पुराणमनुशासितार-

"One should meditate upon the omniscient, ancient, ruler, minuter than the atom, supporter of all, of inconceivable form, resplendent like the sun, beyond all darkness."

सहस्रयुगपर्यन्तमहर्यद् ब्रह्मणो विदुः |

"Those who know that a day of Brahma lasts for a thousand Mahayugas, and his night also lasts for a thousand Mahayugas—they are the knowers of day and night."

ज्ञानयज्ञेन चाप्यन्ये यजन्तो मामुपासते |

"Others, sacrificing with the sacrifice of knowledge, worship Me as the One, as distinct (in various forms), and as the manifold universe facing in all directions."

अक्षराणामकारोऽस्मि द्वन्द्वः सामासिकस्य च |

"Among letters I am the letter 'A', and among compound words I am the dual compound (Dvandva). I am indeed imperishable Time, and I am the supporter of all, facing in all directions."

अमी च त्वां धृतराष्ट्रस्य पुत्राः

"All the sons of Dhritarashtra, along with the hosts of allied kings, Bhishma, Drona, and also Karna, together with the chief warriors of our own side..."

श्रीभगवानुवाच |

"The Supreme Lord said: This form of Mine which you have seen is exceedingly difficult to behold. Even the gods are constantly longing to see this form."

श्रीभगवानुवाच |

"The Supreme Lord said: While speaking words of wisdom, you are mourning for what is not worthy of grief. The wise lament neither for the living nor for the dead."

अथ चैनं नित्यजातं नित्यं वा मन्यसे मृतम् |

"But even if you think the soul is constantly born and constantly dies, even then, O mighty-armed one, you have no reason to grieve."

सुखदुःखे समे कृत्वा लाभालाभौ जयाजयौ |

"Treating alike pleasure and pain, gain and loss, victory and defeat, engage in battle for the sake of battle. By doing so, you shall never incur sin."

दुःखेष्वनुद्विग्नमनाः सुखेषु विगतस्पृहः |

"One whose mind is undisturbed in sorrow, who has no craving for pleasures, and who is free from attachment, fear, and anger, is called a sage of steady mind."

ज्ञेयः स नित्यसंन्यासी यो न द्वेष्टि न काङ्क्षति |

"One who neither hates nor desires should be known as an eternal sanyasi. Free from all dualities, O mighty-armed one, such a person is easily liberated from bondage."

जितात्मनः प्रशान्तस्य परमात्मा समाहितः |

"For one who has conquered the mind and attained tranquility, the Supreme Self is fully realized and calm in cold and heat, pleasure and pain, honor and dishonor."

शुभाशुभफलैरेवं मोक्ष्यसे कर्मबन्धनैः |

"Thus you shall be freed from the bondage of action, yielding good and bad fruits. Established in the yoga of renunciation, liberated, you shall come to Me."

किं पुनर्ब्राह्मणाः पुण्या भक्ता राजर्षयस्तथा |

"How much more then the holy priests, the devoted sages, and the saintly kings! Having come to this transient, joyless world, engage in devotion to Me."

अहिंसा समता तुष्टिस्तपो दानं यशोऽयशः |

"Non-violence, equanimity, contentment, austerity, charity, fame, and infamy—these diverse qualities of living beings arise from Me alone."

भवाप्ययौ हि भूतानां श्रुतौ विस्तरशो मया |

"I have heard from You in detail, O lotus-eyed Lord, about the origin and dissolution of all living beings, and also about Your imperishable majesty."

अमी च त्वां धृतराष्ट्रस्य पुत्राः

"All the sons of Dhritarashtra, along with the hosts of allied kings, Bhishma, Drona, and also Karna, together with the chief warriors of our own side..."

अथैतदप्यशक्तोऽसि कर्तुं मद्योगमाश्रितः |

"If you are unable to do even this, then taking refuge in My yoga, perform all actions surrendering their fruits, with a self-controlled mind."

यो न हृष्यति न द्वेष्टि न शोचति न काङ्क्षति |

"He who neither rejoices nor hates, who neither grieves nor desires, who renounces both good and evil fortunes, and is full of devotion—he is dear to Me."

समदुःखसुखः स्वस्थः समलोष्टाश्मकाञ्चनः |

"He who is equal in pleasure and pain, who is established in the Self, to whom a clod of earth, a stone, and gold are of equal value, who is identical toward the pleasant and the unpleasant, who is firm, and who is the same in praise and blame."

देही नित्यमवध्योऽयं देहे सर्वस्य भारत |

"O Bharata, the soul that dwells in the body of everyone is eternally indestructible. Therefore, you should not grieve for any living being."

ब्रह्मार्पणं ब्रह्म हविर्ब्रह्माग्नौ ब्रह्मणा हुतम् |

"The offering is Brahman; the oblation is Brahman; it is offered by Brahman in the fire of Brahman; Brahman is attained by one who is fully absorbed in Brahman-action."

यज्ज्ञात्वा न पुनर्मोहमेवं यास्यसि पाण्डव |

"Knowing this, O son of Pandu, you will never fall into such delusion again. By this knowledge, you will see all living beings in your own Self, and thus in Me."

यत्साङ्ख्यैः प्राप्यते स्थानं तद्योगैरपि गम्यते |

"The state that is attained by the analytical thinkers is also reached by the active yogis. He who sees Sankhya and Yoga as one, truly sees."

सर्वभूतस्थमात्मानं सर्वभूतानि चात्मनि |

"One who is integrated in Yoga sees the Self in all living beings, and all living beings in the Self. Indeed, the self-realized person looks upon all with an equal eye."

मत्तः परतरं नान्यत्किञ्चिदस्ति धनञ्जय |

"There is nothing superior to Me, O conqueror of wealth. Everything in this universe is strung on Me like pearls on a thread."

उदाराः सर्व एवैते ज्ञानी त्वात्मैव मे मतम् |

"All of them are indeed noble, but I consider the wise one to be My very Self. Being united in mind, they are established in Me alone as the supreme goal."

बहूनां जन्मनामन्ते ज्ञानवान्मां प्रपद्यते |

"At the end of many births, the wise one surrenders to Me, realizing that Vasudeva is all that exists. Such a great soul is extremely rare."

अहं क्रतुरहं यज्ञः स्वधाहमहमौषधम् |

"I am the Vedic ritual, I am the sacrifice, I am the ancestral offering, I am the healing herb. I am the sacred mantra, I am the clarified butter, I am the fire, and I am the act of offering."

येऽप्यन्यदेवता भक्ता यजन्ते श्रद्धयान्विताः |

"Even those devotees who worship other gods with faith, actually worship Me alone, O son of Kunti, but they do so in an irregular manner."

यच्चापि सर्वभूतानां बीजं तदहमर्जुन |

"And whatever is the generating seed of all beings, O Arjuna, that I am. There is no being, moving or non-moving, that can exist without Me."

अविभक्तं च भूतेषु विभक्तमिव च स्थितम् |

"Undivided, yet It exists as if divided among all living beings. It is to be known as the supporter of all beings, devouring them at the time of dissolution, and generating them at the time of creation."

सर्वयोनिषु कौन्तेय मूर्तयः सम्भवन्ति याः |

"Whatever forms are generated in all the wombs, O son of Kunti, the great nature (Prakriti) is their womb, and I am the seed-giving Father."

सर्वभूतेषु येनैकं भावमव्ययमीक्षते |

"That knowledge by which one sees a single, imperishable reality in all living beings, undivided in the divided, know that knowledge to be in the mode of goodness (Sattvik)."

अन्तवन्त इमे देहा नित्यस्योक्ताः शरीरिणः |

"These physical bodies of the eternal, indestructible, and immeasurable embodied soul are said to have an end. Therefore, fight, O descendant of Bharata."

अथ चैनं नित्यजातं नित्यं वा मन्यसे मृतम् |

"But even if you think the soul is constantly born and constantly dies, even then, O mighty-armed one, you have no reason to grieve."

जातस्य हि ध्रुवो मृत्युर्ध्रुवं जन्म मृतस्य च |

"For one who is born, death is certain; and for one who dies, birth is certain. Therefore, you should not grieve over the inevitable."

रागद्वेषविमुक्तैस्तु विषयानिन्द्रियैश्चरन् | (or वियुक्तैस्तु)

"But one who is free from attachment and aversion, interacting with the world using self-controlled senses under the guidance of the will, attains inner peace and grace."

न हि कश्चित्क्षणमपि जातु तिष्ठत्यकर्मकृत् |

"Indeed, no one can remain without performing actions even for a single moment. Everyone is forced to act helplessly by the modes of material nature."

मामुपेत्य पुनर्जन्म दुःखालयमशाश्वतम् |

"Having attained Me, these great souls do not take birth again in this transient world of suffering, having reached the highest perfection."

अव्यक्ताद् व्यक्तयः सर्वाः प्रभवन्त्यहरागमे |

"At the dawn of Brahma's day, all manifest beings emanate from the unmanifest; at the approach of his night, they merge back into that same unmanifest."

सर्वभूतानि कौन्तेय प्रकृतिं यान्ति मामिकाम् |

"O son of Kunti, at the end of a cosmic age, all living beings merge into My material nature. At the beginning of the next age, I manifest them again."

किं पुनर्ब्राह्मणाः पुण्या भक्ता राजर्षयस्तथा |

"How much more then the holy priests, the devoted sages, and the saintly kings! Having come to this transient, joyless world, engage in devotion to Me."

भवाप्ययौ हि भूतानां श्रुतौ विस्तरशो मया |

"I have heard from You in detail, O lotus-eyed Lord, about the origin and dissolution of all living beings, and also about Your imperishable majesty."

न द्वेष्ट्यकुशलं कर्म कुशले नानुषज्जते |

"The wise renouncer, established in goodness (Sattva), with all doubts dispelled, neither hates disagreeable work nor is attached to agreeable work."

न हि देहभृता शक्यं त्यक्तुं कर्माण्यशेषतः |

"It is indeed impossible for an embodied being to abandon all actions completely. Therefore, he who abandons the fruits of action is declared to be a true renouncer."

सहजं कर्म कौन्तेय सदोषमपि न त्यजेत् |

"One should not abandon one's innate duty, O son of Kunti, even if it is associated with defect. For all undertakings are enveloped by some defect, just as fire is covered by smoke."

यामिमां पुष्पितां वाचं प्रवदन्त्यविपश्चितः |

"Those with limited knowledge speak flowery words, O Partha, being deeply attached to the literal interpretations of the Vedas, declaring that there is nothing else."

कामात्मानः स्वर्गपरा जन्मकर्मफलप्रदाम् |

"They are full of desires and regard heaven as their highest goal. They engage in elaborate rituals that promise good birth, power, and sense enjoyment, which only lead to further rebirth and karma."

श्रीभगवानुवाच |

"The Supreme Lord said: O Partha, when a person completely casts off all desires of the mind, and finds satisfaction in the Self by the Self alone, then they are said to be established in steady wisdom."

विषया विनिवर्तन्ते निराहारस्य देहिनः |

"The objects of the senses fade away for one who abstains from sensory contact, but the craving for them remains. However, even this inner craving disappears when the Supreme is experienced directly."

श्रीभगवानुवाच |

"The Supreme Lord said: It is desire, it is anger, born of the mode of passion. It is all-devouring and highly sinful; know this to be the enemy here in this world."