Bhagavad-gītā 3.7

Explain simply

Speaker: Śrī Kṛṣṇa

यस्त्विन्द्रियाणि मनसा नियम्यारभतेऽर्जुन ।
कर्मेन्द्रियैः कर्मयोगमसक्तः स विशिष्यते ॥७॥

yas tv indriyāṇi manasā
niyamyārabhate 'rjuna
karmendriyaiḥ karma-yogam
asaktaḥ sa viśiṣyate

Word for word (synonyms)

yaḥ
one who
tu
but
indriyāṇi
senses
manasā
by the mind
niyamya
regulating
ārabhate
begins
arjuna
O Arjuna
karma-indriyaiḥ
by the active sense organs
karma-yogam
devotion
asaktaḥ
without attachment
saḥ
he
viśiṣyate
by far the better

Translation

On the other hand, he who controls the senses by the mind and engages his active organs in works of devotion, without attachment, is by far superior.

Purport

Instead of becoming a pseudo-transcendentalist for the sake of wanton living and sense enjoyment, it is far better to remain in one's own business and execute the purpose of life, which is to get free from material bondage and enter into the kingdom of God. The prime svārtha-gati, or goal of self-interest, is to reach Viṣṇu. The whole institution of varṇa and āśrama is designed to help us reach this goal of life. A householder can also reach this destination by regulated service in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. For self-realization, one can live a controlled life, as prescribed in the śāstras, and continue carrying out his business without attachment, and in that way make progress. Such a sincere person who follows this method is far better situated than the false pretender who adopts show-bottle spiritualism to cheat the innocent public. A sincere sweeper in the street is far better than the charlatan meditator who meditates only for the sake of making a living.

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

  • Try to control the active senses by the mind and begin karma-yoga without attachment (3.7 yas tv indriyāṇi manasā...)
  • 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.