Chapter 3: Karma Yoga
Path of Action
Arjuna asks why, if wisdom is superior, Krishna urges him to terrible action. Krishna answers that no one can remain actionless even for a moment; nature itself compels action, and refusing to act is only a disguised form of acting. Work done as yajna — as offering rather than acquisition — does not bind. He warns that desire and anger are the true enemies, born of rajas, obscuring wisdom as smoke covers fire, and he says it is better to do one's own duty imperfectly than another's duty well.
All 43 verses of Chapter 3
Verse 3.1
अर्जुन उवाच । ज्यायसी चेत्कर्मणस्ते मता बुद्धिर्जनार्दन । तत्किं कर्मणि घोरे मां नियोजयसि केशव ।।1।।
arjuna uvāca jyāyasī cet karmaṇas te matā buddhir janārdana tat kiṃ karmaṇi ghore māṃ niyojayasi keśava
Arjuna said: O Janardana, if You consider knowledge superior to action, then why do You urge me toward this terrible action, O Keshava?
Life lesson: It's fine to ask for clarity when guidance you've received feels contradictory — that question itself moves you forward.
Read verse 3.1 in full →Verse 3.2
व्यामिश्रेणेव वाक्येन बुद्धिं मोहयसीव मे । तदेकं वद निश्चित्य येन श्रेयोऽहमाप्नुयाम् ।।2।।
vyāmiśreṇeva vākyena buddhiṃ mohayasīva me tad ekaṃ vada niścitya yena śreyo 'ham āpnuyām
With this seemingly conflicting counsel, You appear to bewilder my understanding. Please tell me decisively the one path by which I may attain the highest good.
Life lesson: When overwhelmed by too many options today, ask for or seek out the one clear next step instead.
Read verse 3.2 in full →Verse 3.3
श्रीभगवानुवाच । लोकेऽस्मिन्द्विविधा निष्ठा पुरा प्रोक्ता मयानघ । ज्ञानयोगेन साङ्ख्यानां कर्मयोगेन योगिनाम् ।।3।।
śrī bhagavān uvāca loke 'smin dvi-vidhā niṣṭhā purā proktā mayānagha jñāna-yogena sāṅkhyānāṃ karma-yogena yoginām
The Supreme Lord said: O sinless one, I have already explained two paths in this world — the path of knowledge for contemplatives, and the path of action for practitioners of yoga.
Life lesson: Remember that your way of growing doesn't have to look like everyone else's — different paths can lead to the same good place.
Read verse 3.3 in full →Verse 3.4
न कर्मणामनारम्भान्नैष्कर्म्यं पुरुषोऽश्नुते । न च संन्यसनादेव सिद्धिं समधिगच्छति ।।4।।
na karmaṇām anārambhān naiṣkarmyaṃ puruṣo 'śnute na ca sannyasanād eva siddhiṃ samadhigacchati
One does not attain freedom from action by merely abstaining from work, nor does one reach perfection through renunciation alone.
Life lesson: Don't mistake avoiding responsibility for spiritual growth — real growth usually asks more of you, not less.
Read verse 3.4 in full →Verse 3.5
न हि कश्चित्क्षणमपि जातु तिष्ठत्यकर्मकृत् । कार्यते ह्यवशः कर्म सर्वः प्रकृतिजैर्गुणैः ।।5।।
na hi kaścit kṣaṇam api jātu tiṣṭhaty akarma-kṛt kāryate hy avaśaḥ karma sarvaḥ prakṛti-jair guṇaiḥ
No one can remain without action even for a moment; everyone is inevitably driven to act by the qualities born of material nature.
Life lesson: Since you'll act regardless, choose today to act with awareness rather than resist acting at all.
Read verse 3.5 in full →Verse 3.6
कर्मेन्द्रियाणि संयम्य य आस्ते मनसा स्मरन् । इन्द्रियार्थान्विमूढात्मा मिथ्याचारः स उच्यते ।।6।।
karmendriyāṇi saṃyamya ya āste manasā smaran indriyārthān vimūḍhātmā mithyācāraḥ sa ucyate
One who restrains the organs of action but continues to dwell mentally on sense objects is deluded and called a hypocrite.
Life lesson: Be honest with yourself today about whether your restraint is genuine or just a performance for others.
Read verse 3.6 in full →Verse 3.7
यस्त्विन्द्रियाणि मनसा नियम्यारभतेऽर्जुन । कर्मेन्द्रियैः कर्मयोगमसक्तः स विशिष्यते ।।7।।
yas tv indriyāṇi manasā niyamyārabhate 'rjuna karmendriyaiḥ karma-yogam asaktaḥ sa viśiṣyate
But one who controls the senses with the mind, O Arjuna, and engages the organs of action in karma yoga without attachment, is superior.
Life lesson: Aim today for real inner discipline that still lets you engage fully with your responsibilities.
Read verse 3.7 in full →Verse 3.8
नियतं कुरु कर्म त्वं कर्म ज्यायो ह्यकर्मणः । शरीरयात्रापि च ते न प्रसिद्ध्येदकर्मणः ।।8।।
niyataṃ kuru karma tvaṃ karma jyāyo hy akarmaṇaḥ śarīra-yātrāpi ca te na prasiddhyed akarmaṇaḥ
Perform your prescribed duty, for action is better than inaction. Even the maintenance of your body would not be possible without action.
Life lesson: Let today's ordinary responsibilities remind you that action itself is part of how life sustains itself.
Read verse 3.8 in full →Verse 3.9
यज्ञार्थात्कर्मणोऽन्यत्र लोकोऽयं कर्मबन्धनः । तदर्थं कर्म कौन्तेय मुक्तसङ्गः समाचर ॥
yajñārthāt karmaṇo 'nyatra loko 'yaṁ karma-bandhanaḥ tad-arthaṁ karma kaunteya mukta-saṅgaḥ samācara
Work done as an offering does not bind; all other work binds one to this world. Therefore, O Arjuna, perform your duty as an offering, free from attachment.
Life lesson: Try doing one task today as a quiet offering rather than an obligation — notice how much lighter it feels.
Read verse 3.9 in full →Verse 3.10
सहयज्ञाः प्रजाः सृष्ट्वा पुरोवाच प्रजापतिः । अनेन प्रसविष्यध्वमेष वोऽस्त्विष्टकामधुक् ।।10।।
saha-yajñāḥ prajāḥ sṛṣṭvā purovāca prajāpatiḥ anena prasaviṣyadhvam eṣa vo 'stv iṣṭa-kāma-dhuk
Having created humanity along with sacrifice, the Creator said in ancient times: By this may you prosper; may it be the fulfiller of your desires.
Life lesson: Consider today how giving of yourself, rather than only taking, can be the foundation of real prosperity.
Read verse 3.10 in full →Verse 3.11
देवान्भावयतानेन ते देवा भावयन्तु वः । परस्परं भावयन्तः श्रेयः परमवाप्स्यथ ।।11।।
devān bhāvayatānena te devā bhāvayantu vaḥ parasparaṃ bhāvayantaḥ śreyaḥ param avāpsyatha
Nourish the gods with this sacrifice, and may the gods nourish you in return; nourishing one another, you shall attain the highest good.
Life lesson: Look for the give-and-take relationships in your life today, and invest a little more in the giving side.
Read verse 3.11 in full →Verse 3.12
इष्टान्भोगान्हि वो देवा दास्यन्ते यज्ञभाविताः । तैर्दत्तानप्रदायैभ्यो यो भुङ्क्ते स्तेन एव सः ।।12।।
iṣṭān bhogān hi vo devā dāsyante yajña-bhāvitāḥ tair dattān apradāyaibhyo yo bhuṅkte stena eva saḥ
Pleased by sacrifice, the gods will grant you the enjoyments you desire. One who enjoys what is given without offering anything in return is truly a thief.
Life lesson: Notice today what you receive freely, and find a small way to give back in return.
Read verse 3.12 in full →Verse 3.13
यज्ञशिष्टाशिनः सन्तो मुच्यन्ते सर्वकिल्बिषैः । भुञ्जते ते त्वघं पापा ये पचन्त्यात्मकारणात् ।।13।।
yajña-śiṣṭāśinaḥ santo mucyante sarva-kilbiṣaiḥ bhuñjate te tv aghaṃ pāpā ye pacanty ātma-kāraṇāt
The virtuous who eat the remnants of sacrifice are freed from all sins, while those who cook only for themselves eat sin alone.
Life lesson: Try sharing something today before consuming it entirely for yourself, however small the gesture.
Read verse 3.13 in full →Verse 3.14
अन्नाद्भवन्ति भूतानि पर्जन्यादन्नसम्भवः । यज्ञाद्भवति पर्जन्यो यज्ञः कर्मसमुद्भवः ।।14।।
annād bhavanti bhūtāni parjanyād anna-sambhavaḥ yajñād bhavati parjanyo yajñaḥ karma-samudbhavaḥ
All beings arise from food, food from rain, rain from sacrifice, and sacrifice arises from action.
Life lesson: Remember today that your responsible actions ripple outward, supporting a much wider web of life than you can see.
Read verse 3.14 in full →Verse 3.15
कर्म ब्रह्मोद्भवं विद्धि ब्रह्माक्षरसमुद्भवम् । तस्मात्सर्वगतं ब्रह्म नित्यं यज्ञे प्रतिष्ठितम् ।।15।।
karma brahmodbhavaṃ viddhi brahmākṣara-samudbhavam tasmāt sarva-gataṃ brahma nityaṃ yajñe pratiṣṭhitam
Know that action arises from the Divine, and the Divine arises from the Imperishable. Therefore the all-pervading Divine is eternally established in sacrifice.
Life lesson: See your daily work today as part of something sacred, not just a mechanical task to get through.
Read verse 3.15 in full →Verse 3.16
एवं प्रवर्तितं चक्रं नानुवर्तयतीह यः । अघायुरिन्द्रियारामो मोघं पार्थ स जीवति ॥
evaṁ pravartitaṁ cakraṁ nānuvartayatīha yaḥ aghāyur indriyārāmo moghaṁ pārtha sa jīvati
One who does not follow this wheel of duty already set in motion, and lives only for the senses, lives a wasted life, O Partha.
Life lesson: Today, put something back into the cycle you draw from — showing up for others keeps life from feeling hollow.
Read verse 3.16 in full →Verse 3.17
यस्त्वात्मरतिरेव स्यादात्मतृप्तश्च मानवः । आत्मन्येव च सन्तुष्टस्तस्य कार्यं न विद्यते ।।17।।
yas tv ātma-ratir eva syād ātma-tṛptaś ca mānavaḥ ātmany eva ca santuṣṭas tasya kāryaṃ na vidyate
But for one who delights in the self, is satisfied in the self, and is content in the self alone, there is no duty left to perform.
Life lesson: Notice the moments today when you feel genuinely, quietly complete, needing nothing more from outside.
Read verse 3.17 in full →Verse 3.18
नैव तस्य कृतेनार्थो नाकृतेनेह कश्चन । न चास्य सर्वभूतेषु कश्चिदर्थव्यपाश्रयः ।।18।।
naiva tasya kṛtenārtho nākṛteneha kaścana na cāsya sarva-bhūteṣu kaścid artha-vyapāśrayaḥ
Such a person has no interest in what is done or left undone, and does not depend on any being for any purpose.
Life lesson: Notice how much lighter you feel on the rare occasions you act without needing anything back in return.
Read verse 3.18 in full →Verse 3.19
तस्मादसक्तः सततं कार्यं कर्म समाचर । असक्तो ह्याचरन्कर्म परमाप्नोति पूरुषः ॥
tasmād asaktaḥ satataṁ kāryaṁ karma samācara asakto hy ācaran karma param āpnoti pūruṣaḥ
Therefore, without attachment, always perform your duty, for by working without attachment one attains the Supreme.
Life lesson: Do today's work fully, then loosen your grip on how it turns out — that loosening is where real peace lives.
Read verse 3.19 in full →Verse 3.20
कर्मणैव हि संसिद्धिमास्थिता जनकादयः । लोकसंग्रहमेवापि सम्पश्यन्कर्तुमर्हसि ।।20।।
karmaṇaiva hi saṃsiddhim āsthitā janakādayaḥ loka-saṅgraham evāpi sampaśyan kartum arhasi
King Janaka and others attained perfection through action alone. You too should act, keeping in mind the welfare of the world.
Life lesson: Let today's actions be shaped a little by how they might benefit others, not just yourself.
Read verse 3.20 in full →Verse 3.21
यद्यदाचरति श्रेष्ठस्तत्तदेवेतरो जनः
yad yad ācarati śreṣṭhas tat tad evetaro janaḥ
Whatever a great person does, common people follow.
Life lesson: Someone is watching how you handle today, even if you don't realize it — let your actions be worth following.
Read verse 3.21 in full →Verse 3.22
न मे पार्थास्ति कर्तव्यं त्रिषु लोकेषु किञ्चन । नानवाप्तमवाप्तव्यं वर्त एव च कर्मणि ।।22।।
na me pārthāsti kartavyaṃ triṣu lokeṣu kiñcana nānavāptam avāptavyaṃ varta eva ca karmaṇi
O Partha, there is no duty for Me in all the three worlds, nor anything unattained that I need to attain; yet I still engage in action.
Life lesson: Do something today purely because it serves others well, even when you have nothing personal to gain.
Read verse 3.22 in full →Verse 3.23
यदि ह्यहं न वर्तेयं जातु कर्मण्यतन्द्रितः । मम वर्त्मानुवर्तन्ते मनुष्याः पार्थ सर्वशः ।।23।।
yadi hy ahaṃ na varteyaṃ jātu karmaṇy atandritaḥ mama vartmānuvartante manuṣyāḥ pārtha sarvaśaḥ
If I did not remain diligently engaged in action, O Partha, all people would follow My example in every way.
Life lesson: Remember that others may be watching and learning from what you do today, whether or not you intend it.
Read verse 3.23 in full →Verse 3.24
उत्सीदेयुरिमे लोका न कुर्यां कर्म चेदहम् । सङ्करस्य च कर्ता स्यामुपहन्यामिमाः प्रजाः ।।24।।
utsīdeyur ime lokā na kuryāṃ karma ced aham saṅkarasya ca kartā syām upahanyām imāḥ prajāḥ
If I did not perform action, these worlds would perish; I would become the cause of confusion and destroy these beings.
Life lesson: Consider today what would genuinely fall apart if you stepped back from your responsibilities.
Read verse 3.24 in full →Verse 3.25
सक्ताः कर्मण्यविद्वांसो यथा कुर्वन्ति भारत । कुर्याद्विद्वांस्तथासक्तश्चिकीर्षुर्लोकसंग्रहम् ।।25।।
saktāḥ karmaṇy avidvāṃso yathā kurvanti bhārata kuryād vidvāṃs tathāsaktaś cikīrṣur loka-saṅgraham
O Bharata, as the ignorant act with attachment, so should the wise act without attachment, desiring the welfare of the world.
Life lesson: Do your work today with full effort, but let your motive quietly shift from personal gain to shared good.
Read verse 3.25 in full →Verse 3.26
न बुद्धिभेदं जनयेदज्ञानां कर्मसङ्गिनाम् । जोषयेत्सर्वकर्माणि विद्वान्युक्तः समाचरन् ।।26।।
na buddhi-bhedaṃ janayed ajñānāṃ karma-saṅginām joṣayet sarva-karmāṇi vidvān yuktaḥ samācaran
The wise should not unsettle the minds of the ignorant attached to action; rather, by working with dedication, they should inspire others to also act well.
Life lesson: Influence others today through the quality of your own actions rather than by criticizing their beliefs.
Read verse 3.26 in full →Verse 3.27
प्रकृतेः क्रियमाणानि गुणैः कर्माणि सर्वशः । अहङ्कारविमूढात्मा कर्ताहमिति मन्यते ॥
prakṛteḥ kriyamāṇāni guṇaiḥ karmāṇi sarvaśaḥ ahaṅkāra-vimūḍhātmā kartāham iti manyate
All actions are performed by the modes of material nature. But one confused by ego thinks, "I am the doer."
Life lesson: When something goes wrong today, resist the urge to make it entirely about you — many forces shape every outcome.
Read verse 3.27 in full →Verse 3.28
तत्त्ववित्तु महाबाहो गुणकर्मविभागयोः । गुणा गुणेषु वर्तन्त इति मत्वा न सज्जते ।।28।।
tattva-vit tu mahā-bāho guṇa-karma-vibhāgayoḥ guṇā guṇeṣu vartanta iti matvā na sajjate
O mighty-armed one, the knower of truth understands the distinction between the soul and the modes and their actions, and, seeing that the modes merely interact among themselves, does not become attached.
Life lesson: Try observing your reactions today as if from a slight distance, noticing patterns rather than taking them so personally.
Read verse 3.28 in full →Verse 3.29
प्रकृतेर्गुणसम्मूढाः सज्जन्ते गुणकर्मसु । तानकृत्स्नविदो मन्दान्कृत्स्नविन्न विचालयेत् ।।29।।
prakṛter guṇa-sammūḍhāḥ sajjante guṇa-karmasu tān akṛtsna-vido mandān kṛtsna-vin na vicālayet
Those deluded by the modes of nature become attached to their actions. But one of complete understanding should not unsettle those of lesser, partial understanding.
Life lesson: Be patient today with someone who isn't as far along a path as you are, rather than pushing them ahead.
Read verse 3.29 in full →Verse 3.30
मयि सर्वाणि कर्माणि संन्यस्याध्यात्मचेतसा । निराशीर्निर्ममो भूत्वा युध्यस्व विगतज्वरः ।।30।।
mayi sarvāṇi karmāṇi sannyasyādhyātma-cetasā nirāśīr nirmamo bhūtvā yudhyasva vigata-jvaraḥ
Surrendering all actions to Me with a spiritually focused mind, free from desire and possessiveness, fight with your fever of anxiety gone.
Life lesson: Try mentally offering today's efforts to something larger than yourself, and notice if the anxiety around them eases.
Read verse 3.30 in full →Verse 3.31
ये मे मतमिदं नित्यमनुतिष्ठन्ति मानवाः । श्रद्धावन्तोऽनसूयन्तो मुच्यन्ते तेऽपि कर्मभिः ।।31।।
ye me matam idaṃ nityam anutiṣṭhanti mānavāḥ śraddhāvanto 'nasūyanto mucyante te 'pi karmabhiḥ
Those who faithfully follow this teaching of Mine, with faith and free from envy, are also released from the bondage of action.
Life lesson: Practice today's teachings sincerely, without comparing your progress enviously to anyone else's.
Read verse 3.31 in full →Verse 3.32
ये त्वेतदभ्यसूयन्तो नानुतिष्ठन्ति मे मतम् । सर्वज्ञानविमूढांस्तान्विद्धि नष्टानचेतसः ।।32।।
ye tv etad abhyasūyanto nānutiṣṭhanti me matam sarva-jñāna-vimūḍhāṃs tān viddhi naṣṭān acetasaḥ
But those who, being resentful, do not follow this teaching of Mine, know them to be devoid of all wisdom and lost, however clever they may seem.
Life lesson: Stay open today to guidance, even when it's inconvenient, rather than dismissing it out of pride or resentment.
Read verse 3.32 in full →Verse 3.33
सदृशं चेष्टते स्वस्याः प्रकृतेर्ज्ञानवानपि । प्रकृतिं यान्ति भूतानि निग्रहः किं करिष्यति ।।33।।
sadṛśaṃ ceṣṭate svasyāḥ prakṛter jñānavān api prakṛtiṃ yānti bhūtāni nigrahaḥ kiṃ kariṣyati
Even the wise act according to their own nature; all beings follow their nature. What can mere suppression accomplish?
Life lesson: Instead of forcing yourself against your nature today, try working with it wisely and honestly.
Read verse 3.33 in full →Verse 3.34
इन्द्रियस्येन्द्रियस्यार्थे रागद्वेषौ व्यवस्थितौ । तयोर्न वशमागच्छेत्तौ ह्यस्य परिपन्थिनौ ॥
indriyasyendriyasyārthe rāga-dveṣau vyavasthitau tayor na vaśam āgacchet tau hy asya paripanthinau
Attachment and aversion naturally arise toward the objects of each sense; one should not come under their control, for they are obstacles on the path.
Life lesson: When a strong like or dislike pulls at you today, notice it without letting it make the decision for you.
Read verse 3.34 in full →Verse 3.35
श्रेयान्स्वधर्मो विगुणः परधर्मात्स्वनुष्ठितात्
śreyān sva-dharmo viguṇaḥ para-dharmāt sv-anuṣṭhitāt
It is far better to do one's own duty imperfectly than to master the duty of another. Better death in one's own duty than success in another's.
Life lesson: Stop measuring your journey against someone else's highlight reel — your honest, imperfect effort today is enough.
Read verse 3.35 in full →Verse 3.36
अर्जुन उवाच । अथ केन प्रयुक्तोऽयं पापं चरति पूरुषः । अनिच्छन्नपि वार्ष्णेय बलादिव नियोजितः ॥
arjuna uvāca atha kena prayukto 'yaṁ pāpaṁ carati pūruṣaḥ anicchann api vārṣṇeya balād iva niyojitaḥ
Arjuna asked: O Varshneya, impelled by what does a person commit sin, even unwillingly, as if driven by force?
Life lesson: If you catch yourself repeating a behavior you don't actually want, ask why honestly today instead of just feeling guilty about it.
Read verse 3.36 in full →Verse 3.37
श्रीभगवानुवाच । काम एष क्रोध एष रजोगुणसमुद्भवः । महाशनो महापाप्मा विद्ध्येनमिह वैरिणम् ॥
śrī-bhagavān uvāca kāma eṣa krodha eṣa rajo-guṇa-samudbhavaḥ mahāśano mahā-pāpmā viddhy enam iha vairiṇam
The Supreme Lord said: It is desire, born of the mode of passion, which turns to anger. Know this as the all-devouring enemy in this world.
Life lesson: Next time anger flares up today, gently ask what desire or expectation is really underneath it — that question alone can soften the heat.
Read verse 3.37 in full →Verse 3.38
धूमेनाव्रियते वह्निर्यथादर्शो मलेन च । यथोल्बेनावृतो गर्भस्तथा तेनेदमावृतम् ।।38।।
dhūmenāvriyate vahnir yathādarśo malena ca yatholbenāvṛto garbhas tathā tenedam āvṛtam
Just as fire is covered by smoke, a mirror by dust, and an embryo by the womb, so this knowledge is covered by desire.
Life lesson: Notice today what small desire might be quietly clouding your usual clarity of thought.
Read verse 3.38 in full →Verse 3.39
आवृतं ज्ञानमेतेन ज्ञानिनो नित्यवैरिणा । कामरूपेण कौन्तेय दुष्पूरेणानलेन च ।।39।।
āvṛtaṃ jñānam etena jñānino nitya-vairiṇā kāma-rūpeṇa kaunteya duṣpūreṇānalena ca
O son of Kunti, knowledge is covered by this eternal enemy in the form of desire, which is insatiable like fire.
Life lesson: Recognize that feeding a craving rarely satisfies it — it usually just asks for more.
Read verse 3.39 in full →Verse 3.40
इन्द्रियाणि मनो बुद्धिरस्याधिष्ठानमुच्यते । एतैर्विमोहयत्येष ज्ञानमावृत्य देहिनम् ।।40।।
indriyāṇi mano buddhir asyādhiṣṭhānam ucyate etair vimohayaty eṣa jñānam āvṛtya dehinam
The senses, mind, and intellect are said to be its seats of operation. Through these, it veils knowledge and deludes the embodied soul.
Life lesson: Watch today how desire enters through your senses first, before it reaches your thinking mind.
Read verse 3.40 in full →Verse 3.41
तस्मात्त्वमिन्द्रियाण्यादौ नियम्य भरतर्षभ । पाप्मानं प्रजहि ह्येनं ज्ञानविज्ञाननाशनम् ।।41।।
tasmāt tvam indriyāṇy ādau niyamya bharatarṣabha pāpmānaṃ prajahi hy enaṃ jñāna-vijñāna-nāśanam
Therefore, O best of the Bharatas, first control the senses, and then slay this sinful enemy that destroys both knowledge and wisdom.
Life lesson: Start today by managing what you expose your senses to — that's often the easiest place to begin.
Read verse 3.41 in full →Verse 3.42
इन्द्रियाणि पराण्याहुरिन्द्रियेभ्यः परं मनः । मनसस्तु परा बुद्धिर्यो बुद्धेः परतस्तु सः ॥
indriyāṇi parāṇy āhur indriyebhyaḥ paraṁ manaḥ manasas tu parā buddhir yo buddheḥ paratas tu saḥ
The senses are said to be superior to the body, the mind superior to the senses, the intellect superior to the mind, and the soul is even higher than the intellect.
Life lesson: When your senses or emotions pull hard today, remember there's a quieter, wiser part of you that can simply watch and choose.
Read verse 3.42 in full →Verse 3.43
एवं बुद्धेः परं बुद्ध्वा संस्तभ्यात्मानमात्मना । जहि शत्रुं महाबाहो कामरूपं दुरासदम् ।।43।।
evaṃ buddheḥ paraṃ buddhvā saṃstabhyātmānam ātmanā jahi śatruṃ mahā-bāho kāma-rūpaṃ durāsadam
Thus, knowing the self to be beyond the intellect, and steadying the mind with the self, slay this formidable enemy in the form of desire, O mighty-armed one.
Life lesson: Draw on your deepest, calmest self today as your real strength against any pull that tries to derail you.
Read verse 3.43 in full →