Bhagavad Gita Chapter 3 Verse 1 (3.1)
Reflective Prompt:
You want to stay healthy. What should you do?
- ▪ Option 1: Read many books about exercise, watch fitness videos, and tell your friends how important working out is.
- ▪ Option 2: Go and exercise.
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 3 Verse 1 (3.1)
अर्जुन उवाच
ज्यायसी चेत्कर्मणस्ते मता बुद्धिर्जनार्दन । तत्किं कर्मणि घोरे मां नियोजयसि केशव | | ३-१ | |
arjuna uvācha jyāyasī chetkarmaṇaste matā buddhirjanārdana tatkiṁ karmaṇi ghore māṁ niyojayasi keśhava
Word-by-word guide:
Line 0:
- अर्जुन
(Arjuna)— अर्जुन बोले(Arjuna said) - उवाच
(uvacha)— बोले(Arjuna said)
Line 1:
- ज्यायसी
(jyayasi)— श्रेष्ठ(better or higher) - चेत्
(chet)— यदि आप ज्ञान को कर्म से श्रेष्ठ मानते हैं(if You consider wisdom better than action) - कर्मणः
(karmanas)— कर्म से(if You consider wisdom better than action) - ते
(te)— यदि आप ज्ञान को कर्म से श्रेष्ठ मानते हैं(if You consider wisdom better than action) - माता
(mata)— बुद्धि मानी जाती है(wisdom is considered) - बुद्धिः
(buddhih)— बुद्धि(wisdom is considered) - जनार्दन
(Janardana)— हे जनार्दन(Krishna)
Line 2:
- तत्
(tat)— तो क्यों(then why) - किम्
(kim)— तो क्यों(then why) - कर्माणि
(karmani)— घोर कर्म में(into terrible action) - ओए
(ghore)— घोर कर्म में(into terrible action) - माम्
(mam)— आप मुझे लगाते हैं(You are engaging me) - इओजयइ
(niyojayasi)— आप मुझे लगाते हैं(You are engaging me) - केशव
(Keshava)— हे केशव(Krishna)
English: Arjuna said: Krishna, if wisdom is better than action, why are you asking me to enter this difficult fight?
Learnings from Shloka 1:
- Outer Action vs. Inner Wisdom:: Reflecting on wisdom is essential, but it must not be used as an excuse to avoid difficult duties.
- Seeking Clarity:: When faced with conflicting paths, it is important to ask sincere questions to resolve inner confusion.
Gita/Sanskrit Language Quiz
Practice this shloka vocabularyMatch Sanskrit words from shloka 3.1 with their Hindi and English meanings.
Practice vocabulary
Arjuna is confused by Krishna's previous praise of spiritual wisdom (Gyan) while simultaneously asking him to engage in a violent war. This highlights the universal human dilemma of choosing between contemplation and active duty.