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Verse 3.16

Speaker: Krishna

Sanskrit

एवं प्रवर्तितं चक्रं नानुवर्तयतीह यः। अघायुरिन्द्रियारामो मोघं पार्थ स जीवति।।

Transliteration (IAST)

evaṁ pravartitaṁ cakraṁ nānuvartayatīha yaḥ | aghāyur indriyārāmo moghaṁ pārtha sa jīvati ||

Word-by-Word Meanings

चक्रम्-the cycle/wheel
प्रवर्तितम्-set in motion
अनुवर्तयति-follows
अघायुः-sinful life
इन्द्रियारामः-delighting in senses
मोघम्-in vain

Translation

One who does not follow this cosmic wheel thus set in motion, who lives a sinful life delighting only in the senses - that person lives in vain, O Partha.

Commentary

Krishna warns that those who refuse to participate in the cycle of sacrifice live purposelessly. Mere sensory indulgence without contribution to the cosmic order renders life meaningless. This is not a threat but a statement about the nature of fulfillment.

Themes

dharmakarmaduty