The Gita

Chapter 3 · Verse 1 of 43

The Yoga of Action

कर्मयोग

Meaning

Arjuna spoke

O Janārdana! If you believe that the path of knowledge is superior to the path of action, why urge me to engage in the dreadful act of war, O Keshava? (3:1)

Sanskrit

अर्जुन उवाच

ज्यायसी चेत्कर्मणस्ते मता बुद्धिर्जनार्दन ।

तत्किं कर्मणि घोरे मां नियोजयसि केशव॥

Word-by-word

ज्यायसी चेत् कर्मणः ते मता बुद्धिः जनार्दन,

तत् किम् कर्मणि घोरे माम् नि-योजयसि केशव।।

Commentary

Janārdana' is an epithet of Vishnu in the Puāanas. Sri Krishna is also called by this name. Janārdana means, “he who is the original abode and protector of all living beings.”

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