Verse 18.60
Speaker: Krishna
Sanskrit
स्वभावजेन कौन्तेय निबद्धः स्वेन कर्मणा | कर्तुं नेच्छसि यन्मोहात्करिष्यस्यवशोऽपि तत् ||६०||
Transliteration (IAST)
svabhāva-jena kaunteya nibaddhaḥ svena karmaṇā | kartuṁ necchasi yan mohāt kariṣyasy avaśo 'pi tat ||60||
Word-by-Word Meanings
svabhāva-jena-born of one's own nature
nibaddhaḥ-bound
svena karmaṇā-by one's own duty
kartum-to do
na icchasi-you do not wish
mohāt-out of delusion
kariṣyasi-you will do
avaśaḥ-helplessly
Translation
Bound by your own duty born of your nature, O son of Kunti, that which out of delusion you do not wish to do, you shall do even against your will.
Commentary
Krishna reinforces that nature's compulsion is inescapable. Shankaracharya explains that the karmic impressions (samskaras) of a warrior will inevitably manifest as the urge to fight. Madhva notes the compassion in this teaching: Krishna is freeing Arjuna from the burden of false choice, showing that alignment with one's nature is both inevitable and liberating.
Themes
karmadharmaduty