Bhagavad Gita Chapter 3 Verse 1 Meaning
Arjuna said: If Thou thinkest that knowledge is superior to action, O Krishna, why then, O Kesava, doest Thou ask me to engage in this terrible action?
BG 3.1
अर्जुन उवाच ज्यायसी चेत्कर्मणस्ते मता बुद्धिर्जनार्दन। तत्किं कर्मणि घोरे मां नियोजयसि केशव
arjuna uvācha jyāyasī chet karmaṇas te matā buddhir janārdana tat kiṁ karmaṇi ghore māṁ niyojayasi keśhava
Meaning in English
Arjuna said: If Thou thinkest that knowledge is superior to action, O Krishna, why then, O Kesava, doest Thou ask me to engage in this terrible action?
हिंदी अर्थ (Hindi Meaning)
अर्जुन बोले -- हे जनार्दन! अगर आप कर्मसे बुद्धि- (ज्ञान-) को श्रेष्ठ मानते हैं, तो फिर हे केशव ! मुझे घोर कर्ममें क्यों लगाते हैं ? आप अपने मिले हुए-से वचनोंसे मेरी बुद्धिको मोहित-सी कर रहे हैं। अतः आप निश्चय करके उस एक बात को कहिये, जिससे मैं कल्याणको प्राप्त हो जाऊँ।
Explanation & Life Application
This verse from Chapter 3 of the Bhagavad Gita offers profound wisdom for modern life. As part of The Yoga of Action (Karma Yoga), it teaches about Action and Duty.
The essence of this teaching encourages us to focus on our actions and duties rather than anxiety about outcomes. In today's fast-paced world, this timeless wisdom offers a path to inner peace.
— Explained by the Nitya Team
When to Apply This Verse
- •When feeling anxious about results at work or exams
- •Before starting a new project or challenge
- •When perfectionism causes stress
Related Verses
BG 3.5
Verily, no one can remain for even a moment without performing action; for everyone is made to act helplessly, indeed, by the qualities born of Nature.
BG 3.8
Perform your bounden duty, for action is superior to inaction, and even the maintenance of the body would not be possible for you through inaction.
BG 2.13
Just as the embodied soul passes through childhood, youth, and old age in this body, so too does it pass into another body; the steadfast one does not grieve over this.
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