Bhagavad-gītā 3.6

Explain simply

Speaker: Śrī Kṛṣṇa

कर्मेन्द्रियाणि संयम्य य आस्ते मनसा स्मरन् ।
इन्द्रियार्थान्विमूढात्मा मिथ्याचारः स उच्यते ॥६॥

karmendriyāṇi saṁyamya
ya āste manasā smaran
indriyārthān vimūḍhātmā
mithyācāraḥ sa ucyate

Word for word (synonyms)

karma-indriyāṇi
the five working sense organs
saṁyamya
controlling
yaḥ
anyone who
āste
remains
manasā
by mind
smaran
thinking
indriya-arthān
sense objects
vimūḍha
foolish
ātmā
soul
mithyā-ācāraḥ
pretender
saḥ
he
ucyate
is called

Translation

One who restrains the senses and organs of action, but whose mind dwells on sense objects, certainly deludes himself and is called a pretender.

Purport

There are many pretenders who refuse to work in Kṛṣṇa consciousness but make a show of meditation, while actually dwelling within the mind upon sense enjoyment. Such pretenders may also speak on dry philosophy in order to bluff sophisticated followers, but according to this verse these are the greatest cheaters. For sense enjoyment one can act in any capacity of the social order, but if one follows the rules and regulations of his particular status, he can make gradual progress in purifying his existence. But he who makes a show of being a yogī, while actually searching for the objects of sense gratification, must be called the greatest cheater, even though he sometimes speaks of philosophy. His knowledge has no value because the effects of such a sinful man's knowledge are taken away by the illusory energy of the Lord. Such a pretender's mind is always impure, and therefore his show of yogic meditation has no value whatsoever.

What this verse teaches

A pretender externally renouces work but internally dwells on sense objects. Better perform prescribed work for Viṣṇu and avoid bondage.

In thematic compilations 1

Self-control

  • Role of dharma: Engaging the senses in one’s prescribed duties leads to purification (3.4-7 na karmaṇām anārambhān...)
Śrīla Prabhupāda lectures 1

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda © The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International.