Karma Yoga · Verse 34

Bhagavad Gita 3.34

Freedom begins when attraction and aversion stop steering action.

Wisdom translation, edited by Ankur Shukla. Commentary AI-drafted, human-reviewed. Reviewed June 2026. Methodology →

इन्द्रियस्येन्द्रियस्यार्थे रागद्वेषौ व्यवस्थितौ ।
तयोर्न वशमागच्छेत्तौ ह्यस्य परिपन्थिनौ ॥
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 ॥
English
Attachment and aversion sit in every sense-object. Do not come under their power, for they are your 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

On the battlefield, 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.

Why this verse still matters

You open a message and feel the instant urge to defend yourself, or to ignore it completely. That split-second pull is exactly what this verse warns against.

The takeaway

You are not required to obey every pull and push inside you.

Word-by-word translation

इन्द्रियस्य-इन्द्रियस्य-अर्थे (in each sense's object) / राग-द्वेषौ (attachment and aversion) / व्यवस्थितौ (are established) / तयोः (of those two) / न (not) / वशम् (under the power) / आगच्छेत् (one should come) / तौ (those two) / हि (indeed) / अस्य (for this one) / परिपन्थिनौ (the two enemies on the path)

Explore related themes: karma yoga (55 verses), indriya (19 verses), self mastery (16 verses)

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