तस्मात्त्वमिन्द्रियाण्यादौ नियम्य भरतर्षभ ।
पाप्मानं प्रजहि ह्येनं ज्ञानविज्ञाननाशनम् ॥
पाप्मानं प्रजहि ह्येनं ज्ञानविज्ञाननाशनम् ॥
Hindi · हिन्दी
इसलिये हे भरतवंशियोंमें श्रेष्ठ अर्जुन तू सबसे पहले इन्द्रियोंको वशमें करके इस ज्ञान और विज्ञानका नाश करनेवाले महान् पापी कामको अवश्य ही बलपूर्वक मार डाल ॥
English
Therefore, O best of the Bharatas, first control the senses, and then destroy this great sinner, the destroyer of knowledge and wisdom.
What this verse means
Control the senses first, because unchecked craving destroys clear understanding. The real enemy is not outside you but the force that clouds judgment from within.
Context & commentary
On Kurukshetra, Arjuna stands frozen while two armies wait. Krishna has already named desire as the force that blinds judgment. Now he gives the first practical step: restrain the senses, because only then can Arjuna act without being ruled from within.
Why this verse still matters
You are about to send the message that could end the relationship, or keep the promise that costs you comfort. Your hands shake over the phone. Krishna's advice is simple: stop the rush of impulse first, then choose.
The takeaway
There is relief in naming the real battle: not the world around you, but the impulse that hijacks your mind.
Word-by-word translation
तस्मात् (therefore) / त्वम् (you) / इन्द्रियाणि (the senses) / आदौ (first) / नियम्य (having restrained) / भरतर्षभ (O best of the Bharatas) / पाप्मानम् (the sinful one) / प्रजहि (strike down) / हि (indeed) / एनम् (this) / ज्ञान-विज्ञान-नाशनम् (the destroyer of knowledge and wisdom)
This verse is part of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 3: Karma Yoga — The Yoga of Action, which contains 43 verses.
Explore related themes: karma yoga (55 verses), kama (23 verses), indriya nigraha (14 verses)