Bhagavad Gita · Karma YogaChapter 3, Shloka 7 (3.7)
Original Sanskrit · श्रीभगवान्
यस्त्विन्द्रियाणि मनसा नियम्याऽऽरभतेऽर्जुन
कर्मेन्द्रियैः कर्मयोगमसक्तः स विशिष्यते
॥ 3.7 ॥
yastvindriyāṇi manasā niyamyā''rabhate'rjuna
karmendriyaiḥ karmayogamasaktaḥ sa viśiṣyate
Translation
"But, O Arjuna, one who controls the senses with the mind and, free from attachment, takes up karma-yoga with the organs of action — that person is superior."
Interpretation
The reverse order. The hypocrite: organs of action shut, mind wide open. The karma-yogi: mind controlled, organs of action at work. That is, the action goes on, but not the attachment.
"Viśiṣyate" — superior to whom? Two readings here are very important:
- Shankaracharya: viśiṣyate itarasmāt mithyācārāt — superior to the other, the hypocrite. According to Shankara this is about the ajña (unknowing person) who is eligible for action and who acts phalābhisandhi-varjitaḥ — giving up the desire for results.
- Acharya Ramanuja: asambhāvyamāna-pramādatvena jñāna-niṣṭhād api puruṣād viśiṣyate — because there is no likelihood of error (pramada) in it, it is superior even to the person in jnana-nishtha. According to Ramanuja, the senses are already accustomed to action; engaging them in scriptural action is easy, whereas holding them back completely and staying in jnana-nishtha is difficult and full of pitfalls.
AI-assisted draft translation — under review.