Shloka 1

Karma Yoga — Karma Yoga

Devanagari script

अर्जुन उवाच । ज्यायसी चेत्कर्मणस्ते मता बुद्धिर्जनार्दन तत्किं कर्मणि घोरे मां नियोजयसि केशव ॥ ३.१ ॥

Transliteration

arjuna uvāca | jyāyasī cet karmaṇas te matā buddhir janārdana tat kiṁ karmaṇi ghore māṁ niyojayasi keśava || 3.1 ||

Translation

అర్జునుడు అన్నాడు: జనార్దనా! కర్మకన్నా బుద్ధి (జ్ఞానం) శ్రేష్ఠమని నీవు భావిస్తే, కేశవా! మరి ఈ ఘోరమైన కర్మలో నన్నెందుకు నియోగిస్తున్నావు?

Gita Press Meaning

Arjuna said: If You consider knowledge (buddhi) superior to action, O Janārdana, then why do You urge me to engage in this difficult action, O Keśava?

Critical Edition Meaning

Arjuna said: If, in your view, understanding is better than action, O Janārdana, then why do you enjoin me upon such arduous action, O Keśava?

Comparative Note

Karmaṇi ghore is commonly rendered ‘terrible’ or ‘dreadful’; in context it can be read as ‘formidable/arduous duty’ within a martial-social setting, or more broadly as demanding ethical action under pressure.

Word by Word

• अर्जुनः: Arjuna
• अर्जुनः: Karta
• Root: अर्जुन

• उवाच: said
• Root: √वच्

• ज्यायसी: superior (higher)
• Root: ज्यायस्

• चेत्: if
• Root: चेत्

• कर्मणः: of action
• Root: कर्मन्

• ते: your
• Root: युष्मद्

• मता: considered; held (to be)
• Root: √मन् (मत)

• बुद्धिः: intellect; understanding
• बुद्धिः: Karta
• Root: बुद्धि

• जनार्दन: O Janārdana
• Root: जनार्दन

• तत्: then; that
• Root: तद्

• किम्: why? what?
• Root: किम्

• कर्मणि: in action; in the act
• कर्मणि: Adhikarana
• Root: कर्मन्

• घोरे: terrible; dreadful
• Root: घोर

• माम्: me
• माम्: Karma
• Root: अस्मद्

• नियोजयसि: you engage; you impel; you enjoin
• Root: √युज् (नि-युज्)

• केशव: O Keśava
• Root: केशव

Speakers

• Arjuna

Primary Concepts

• Karma
• Buddhi
• Śreyas (the good)
• Dharma

Key Themes

• Tension between contemplation and action
• Ethical duty under strain
• Clarification request

FAQs

Psychological significance?

Arjuna articulates cognitive dissonance: he hears praise of inner wisdom yet faces a demanding obligation, prompting a need for an integrated framework.

Metaphysical meaning?

The question sets up the Gītā’s synthesis: insight is not necessarily opposed to action; later verses argue for action informed by non-attachment and right understanding.

Contextual relevance?

This opens Chapter 3 by challenging the apparent hierarchy implied in Chapter 2, pressing Krishna to reconcile jñāna-oriented teaching with prescribed duty.

Modern Application?

It parallels dilemmas where reflective ideals seem to conflict with practical responsibilities—e.g., whether to withdraw or to act in complex social situations.