📿 Shloka Collection

Yastvindriyani Manasa

Gita 3.7 Bhagavad Gita
📖 Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 3 — Karma Yoga
यस्त्विन्द्रियाणि मनसा नियम्यारभतेऽर्जुन ।
कर्मेन्द्रियैः कर्मयोगमसक्तः स विशिष्यते ॥
Yastvindriyani manasa niyamyarabhate'rjuna
Karmendriyaih karmayogam asaktah sa vishishyate
यः तु
but the one who
इन्द्रियाणि
the senses
मनसा
with the mind
नियम्य
controlling, regulating
आरभते
begins, undertakes
कर्मेन्द्रियैः
with the organs of action
कर्मयोगम्
the yoga of action
असक्तः
unattached, without clinging
सः विशिष्यते
that person excels, is distinguished

After showing the wrong way in 3.6, Krishna now reveals the right way. The true karma yogi controls the senses from within, using the mind as the reins, and then acts with the body — all without attachment to the results.

Two things work together here. First, inner control: the mind governs the senses rather than being dragged by them. Second, detachment: the work gets done, but the worker does not cling to the outcome. Like a skilled cook who prepares a feast for guests and takes joy in the cooking itself, not in the praise that may or may not follow. These two together — inner discipline and outer action without clinging — form the essence of Karma Yoga.

This is the positive counterpart to 3.6. The Gita often follows a pattern: first show what is wrong, then show what is right.

Gita 6.1 repeats the same definition of the true karma yogi: one who performs duty without expecting the fruit.

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