Verse-7
Chapter 3 — Karma Yoga
Verse 7
🕉 Original Sanskrit Shloka
yastvindriyāṇi manasā niyamyārabhate'rjuna
karmendriyaiḥ karmayogamasaktaḥ sa viśiṣyate
🕉 English Translation
📜 Translation
English
But O Arjun! The one who controlling the senses by the mind, unattached, engages the organs of action in the Yoga of action, he excels.
This verse is significant from the motivational point of view. After warning in the previous verse in this verse now the Blessed Lord has put before us this aspect of inspiration full of love, just as the father scolds the son, warns and in the very next moment uses soft and affectionate words to make him understand. In the Gita Shri Krishna is using the style of portraying Himself as 'pitahmahsaya jagto' (I am the father of the world). In the previous verse where the forcible control of senses, with the mind dwelling on the sensual objects has been called hypocrisy, in this verse controlling the senses by the mind has also been put forward.
This is the state proper for the seeker and also the dignity of spiritual discipline. The matter is straightforward. Each sense organ has to engage in conduct proper to it. The fact of importance is that conduct should be improved and corrected. It should be made the road to progress and upliftment. The stone which is being kicked about and is also knocking down others, it should be utilized in such a manner that it should become a stepping stone for ascension.
The conduct or action which is being executed by the organs of action is becoming the cause for bondage; it should be taken up in such manner that it should become cause for salvation; not a cause for downfall but it should become a cause for upliftment. This is the nobility of the Gita. Whatever emotions are there in the mind, the senses will act accordingly. The senses are under the control of the mind. If the mind becomes subject to the senses, the situation will deteriorate; the horses should be reined in. They should not become uncontrolled. Observe the thoughts of the mind. Give the mind right direction. The mind should not get directed towards the thoughts of the objects of the senses but should remain immersed in divine thoughts. 'Karmaindriyah karmayogamsaktah sa vishishyate indriyo' the one who uses his senses for the practice of yoga of action, excels. The senses have to perform actions; let them do so, but these actions should be for yoga (union with the Lord) and not for worldly enjoyments.