Gita : Ch-3. Slo-7.

Srimad Bhagavad-Gita :


Chapter-3. ( Karma-yogam )


Slokam-7. (  On the other hand, he who controls the senses by the mind and engages his active organs in works of devotion, without attachment, is by far superior. )





Yastvindriyani    manasa    niyamyarabhaterjuna,


Karmendriyaih    karmayogam   asaktah   sa   visishyate.





tu  yah arjuna  =  but  one  who arjuna;

indriyani  =  sense-organs;

manasa  niyamya  =  by mind controlling;

asaktah  =  without attachment;

karmendriyaih  =  by karmendriyas;

karmayogam  arabhate  =   following karmayogam;

sa visishyate  =  he  is the  best ( Far  Superior ).




Lord Krishna previously spoke of the pretensions of the pretenders renouncing all actions with great effort by forcefully subjugating the desires of the mind. Now to show the predominant role of the mind in influencing our thoughts He uses the word manasa remembering in mind. Karma yoga the yoga of actions is suitable according to the stage of development one is in. One should not think that karma yoga is only for the grihastas or householders because by the word manasa it is asserting that karma yoga can also be used by renunciates as well.


Now Lord Krishna reveals that a person performing karma yoga, actions performed without attachment to the rewards is superior to the cheating renunciate spoken of in the previous verse. That person who performs their actions with the mind offering them to the Supreme Lord is properly performing karma yoga by which their mind gradually becomes purified and they develop spiritual knowledge.


Controlling the senses by strength of mind, utilising them to assist in achieving attma tattva by performing the prescribed duties given in the Vedic scriptures according to the natural attributes found within their character by the natural disposition of their natural impulses, then that person although performing karma yoga the yoga of actions is superior to the performer of jnana yoga the yoga of cultivating knowledge inasmuch as falsely performing jnana yoga with duplicity is far inferior to performing karma yoga with sincerity.


So the one performing actions without attachment is the best even the married householder who gradually through his actions controls his mind and senses is far superior to such a false renunciate. By diverting the senses from sense objects by control of the mind one becomes eligible for contemplation of the self which when unattached to the desire for anything, gradually leads one to be qualified for meditation on the atma or soul. So it is clear that the discipline of karma yoga the practice of selfless actions is essential for spiritual development.

To be continued  ...