In Bhagavad Gita 18.60, Krishna says that bound by his own nature-born karma, Arjuna will do even against his will what out of delusion he does not wish to do.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
स्वभावजेन कौन्तेय
निबद्धः स्वेन कर्मणा
कर्तुं नेच्छसि यन्मोहात्
करिष्यस्यवशोऽपि तत् ॥ १८-६० ॥
svabhāvajena kaunteya
nibaddhaḥ svena karmaṇā
kartuṃ necchasi yanmohāt
kariṣyasyavaśo’pi tat
English transliteration svabhaavajena kaunteya
nibaddhah svena karmanaa
kartum nechchhasi yanmohaat
karishyasyavasho’pi tat ॥ 18.60 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Bound by your own action, born of your nature, O son of Kunti, what you do not wish to do out of delusion, you will do even against your will.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| स्वभावजेन svabhāvajena | born of your nature |
| कौन्तेय kaunteya | O son of Kuntī |
| निबद्धः nibaddhaḥ | bound |
| स्वेन svena | by your own |
| कर्मणा karmaṇā | action |
| कर्तुम् kartum | to do |
| न na | not |
| इच्छसि icchasi | you wish |
| यत् yat | what |
| मोहात् mohāt | out of delusion |
| करिष्यसि kariṣyasi | you will do |
| अवशः avaśaḥ | against your will |
| अपि api | even |
| तत् tat | that |
Word-wise Chanting
- sva–bhā–va–je–na kaun–te–ya 8 syllables sva-bhaa-va-je-na kaun-te-ya
- ni–bad–dhaḥ sve–na kar–ma–ṇā | 8 syllables ni-bad-dhah sve-na kar-ma-naa
- kar–tuṃ nec–cha–si yan–mo–hāt– 8 syllables kar-tum nech-chha-si yan-mo-haat-
- ka–riṣ–yas–ya–va–śo–‘pi tat || 18-60 8 syllables ka-rish-yas-ya-va-sho-‘pi tat
How to read this
How to chant: each line is one pāda (quarter-verse); chant it in one breath. The hyphen (-) divides the syllables, inside a word and across a sandhi join, so every pāda shows its 8 syllables (11 in triṣṭubh verses). A consonant cluster is divided after its first consonant (kar-ma, vet-ti): that syllable is held longer. Mark above a syllable: guru, long (two beats); laghu, short (one beat). | closes the half-verse, || the verse; the number is the syllable count of the pāda.
Deeper Explanation – Chapter 18 Verse 60
Context
Krishna explains that nature cannot be suppressed by ego (18.59–18.60).
Meaning
Arjuna is nibaddha, bound, by his svabhāva-ja karma, the tendencies born of his nature. What he now refuses out of moha, he will end up doing avaśa, helplessly. It is wiser to act willingly and rightly.
Since we will act according to our nature anyway, the real choice is whether to act with understanding and devotion, or blindly.
In Practice
Accept your nature today and channel it toward good, rather than fighting it.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 18: Moksha Sannyasa Yoga (Liberation and Renunciation). Read the chapter overview, browse every verse of the Gita, or return to the chapter-by-chapter guide. For a reading plan, see how to study the Bhagavad Gita and the study resources.