Attachment and aversion sit in every sense-object. Do not come under their power, for they are your enemies on the path.
— Krishna
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Bhagavad Gita · 3.34
Hindi · हिन्दी
इन्द्रियइन्द्रियके अर्थमें प्रत्येक इन्द्रियके प्रत्येक विषयमें मनुष्यके राग और द्वेष व्यवस्थासे अनुकूलता और प्रतिकूलताको लेकर स्थित हैं । मनुष्यको उन दोनोंके वशमें नहीं होना चाहिये क्योंकि वे दोनों ही इसके पारमार्थिक मार्गमें विघ्न डालनेवाले शत्रु हैं ॥
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Tap a word to focus on it.
इन्द्रियस्य-इन्द्रियस्य-अर्थेin each sense's objectराग-द्वेषौattachment and aversionव्यवस्थितौare establishedतयोःof those twoनnotवशम्under the powerआगच्छेत्one should comeतौthose twoहिindeedअस्यfor this oneपरिपन्थिनौthe two enemies on the path
Read literallyin each sense's object · attachment and aversion · are established · of those two · not · under the power · one should come · those two · indeed · for this one · the two enemies on the path
Understanding the verse
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Attraction and aversion sit waiting in every sense object, and Krishna calls them enemies on the path.
Craving and dislike appear in every sense experience. Do not let either one control your choices, because both block the path forward.
02
On the battlefield
Context & commentary
Arjuna is being taught how to act without being dragged around by inner reactions. Krishna names the two forces that distort judgment: attraction and aversion. Both can sabotage duty before a weapon is even lifted.
03
In your life
What it looks like today
A colleague criticises your report in a meeting. One urge says defend yourself hard, the other says shut down and ignore him. Notice both pulls, and choose a reply neither one is dictating.
The takeaway
“You are not required to obey every pull and push inside you.”
Craving and dislike appear in every sense experience. Do not let either one control your choices, because both block the path forward.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 3.34?
Krishna speaks this verse, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, in the chapter titled "Karma Yoga" (The Yoga of Action).
Which chapter of the Bhagavad Gita contains verse 3.34?
Verse 34 sits in Chapter 3 of the Bhagavad Gita — Karma Yoga, "The Yoga of Action". The chapter has 43 verses in total.
Why does Bhagavad Gita 3.34 matter today?
A colleague criticises your report in a meeting. One urge says defend yourself hard, the other says shut down and ignore him. Notice both pulls, and choose a reply neither one is dictating.
Attraction and aversion sit waiting in every sense object, and Krishna calls them enemies on the path.
What this verse means
Craving and dislike appear in every sense experience. Do not let either one control your choices, because both block the path forward.
Context & commentary
Arjuna is being taught how to act without being dragged around by inner reactions. Krishna names the two forces that distort judgment: attraction and aversion. Both can sabotage duty before a weapon is even lifted.
What it looks like today
A colleague criticises your report in a meeting. One urge says defend yourself hard, the other says shut down and ignore him. Notice both pulls, and choose a reply neither one is dictating.
“You are not required to obey every pull and push inside you.”
Explore related themes: karma yoga (55 verses), indriya (19 verses), self mastery (16 verses)