Gita : Ch-3. Slo-34.

Srimad Bhagavad-Gita :


Chapter-3. ( Karma-yogam )


Slokam-34. ( Attraction/ like   &   repulsion/aversion/dislike of the senses to their sense-objects ( vishaya-s ) is unavoidable ( already exists in everyone ); one should not be controlled by them; since they are enemies ( obstacles in one's path. )



Indriyasyendriyasyarthe  ragha-dveshau  vyavasthitau,



tayorna  vasamagacchet tau  hyasya  paripanthinau.




indriyasya  = to  the   five  senses;

indriyasya  arthe  =  in  the  sense  objects  (vishaya-s);

ragha-dveshau  =  ragha  (attachment/like)  in   favourable,  and   dveshau  (detachment/dislike)  in unfavourable;

vyavasthitau  =  already  existing;

tayoh  =  to  them  (Ragha  and  dveshau);

vasam  na  agacchet  =  should  not  be  under  (their)  control;

hi  tau  =  why  because,  those  two  (Ragha  & dveshau ) ( likes & dislikes);

asya  paripanthinau  =  (are)  his   (human-being's)   enemies.

If a persons inclination is dependent solely on their nature influenced by the three gunas or the modes of goodness, passion and nescience within prakriti or material nature then the question may arise what is the need for the injunctions and prohibitions in the Vedic scriptures? What Lord Krishna is emphasising here is that the attraction and aversion for each of the senses towards various sense objects is already established and fixed. This is why the word indriyasya is repeated twice to affirm this. Hence in accordance to this fixed relationship there is the inclination. Yet the Vedic scriptures declare that a person should not be influenced by dualities like attraction and aversion, agreeable and disagreeable because they are obstacles on the path of one seeking moksa or liberation. By stimulating attraction and aversion from the remembrance of various sense objects, prakriti forcibly engages an unwary person in sense gratification, like being dragged into a deep current. But the Vedic scriptures instruct one to offer all actions in yagna or worship to the Supreme Lord which will neutralise the dualities of attraction and aversion for sense objects and absolve one from all reactions. Exactly like a person safely taking refuge in a boat before entering a deep current. 

If everyone must act according to their nature and no living being is void of their nature then the purpose of teaching the Vedic scriptures by the spiritual master could be deemed futile and unecessary. To clarify this point Lord Krishna repeats the word indriyasya twice to emphasise that for all the senses. Attraction to sweet tastes to the tongue which are pleasurable or the aversion to foul smells of the nose which are unpleasurable are all fixed and automatically happenning in accordance with samskaras or past life latent impressions in regard to all the senses. One who is fortunate to hear through the ears the holy words of the Vedic scriptures from the spiritual master should never come under the influence of attaction and aversion because they are two great obstacles on the path of moksa or liberation form material existence. These two obstacles take an aspirant from the path leading to moksa and deviate them to the false path of desires, attachment and the enjoyment of sense objects and are exactly like two bandits who guide a traveller down a dark road and then rob them of all their wealth. Contrarily when when a policeman sees a traveller in the clutches of a bandit he rescues him and guides him the correct way; similarly the spiritual master teaching the Vedic scriptures rescues an aspirant from being under the influence of the dualities of attraction and aversion and guides them in the right path of offering one’s actions as yagna or worship to the Supreme Lord which is the best and surest way to attain moksa. So teaching the Vedic scriptures by the spiritual master is never futile to the contrary it is highly beneficial and essential. 

The senses are constantly being motivated by the force of attraction and aversion. Although Lord Krishna is emphasising the effect of restraining the senses is known to be temporary only still by His mentioning it opens the possibility that restraint may have an influence in dampening desires if engaged in regularly with determination and it might develop a lasting effect. Of course samskaras or past life impressions have a deep rooted influence on all living entities even in the case of Brahma and others but there is still the possibility to modify the situation by practising restraint of the senses in a regulated manner. 

Lord Krishna confirms that a person who embarks upon the path of jnana yoga or the cultivation of Vedic wisdom should never fall again under the influence of dualities as they work against one and undermines all one' efforts. The dualities of love and hate, attraction and aversion are a persons most invincible enemies and they completely frustrate all one's attempts for success and higher understanding.

To be continued  ....