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← Chapter 3: The Yoga of Action

Verse 3.34

Speaker: Krishna

Sanskrit

इन्द्रियस्येन्द्रियस्यार्थे रागद्वेषौ व्यवस्थितौ। तयोर्न वशमागच्छेत्तौ ह्यस्य परिपन्थिनौ।।

Transliteration (IAST)

indriyasyendriyasyārthe rāga-dveṣau vyavasthitau | tayor na vaśam āgacchet tau hy asya paripanthinau ||

Word-by-Word Meanings

इन्द्रियस्य-of the senses
अर्थे-in the objects
रागद्वेषौ-attachment and aversion
व्यवस्थितौ-situated
वशम्-under the control
परिपन्थिनौ-obstacles/enemies

Translation

Attachment and aversion are situated in the relationship between the senses and their objects. One should not come under their control, for they are obstacles on the path.

Commentary

Krishna identifies the twin enemies of spiritual progress: raga (attachment) and dvesha (aversion). These arise naturally in sense-object interactions but need not control us. The practitioner's task is not to eliminate sensory experience but to remain free from the pull of attraction and repulsion.

Themes

yogakarmadharma