In Bhagavad Gita 3.16, Krishna says that one who does not follow the wheel of sacrifice set in motion, but lives for sense pleasure, lives a sinful and empty life.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
एवं प्रवर्तितं चक्रं
नानुवर्तयतीह यः
अघायुरिन्द्रियारामो
मोघं पार्थ स जीवति ॥ ३-१६ ॥
evaṃ pravartitaṃ cakraṃ
nānuvartayatīha yaḥ
aghāyurindriyārāmo
moghaṃ pārtha sa jīvati
English transliteration evam pravartitam chakram
naanuvartayateeha yah
aghaayurindriyaaraamo
mogham paartha sa jeevati ॥ 3.16 ॥
Translation / Meaning
One who does not help to turn the wheel thus set in motion here, living in sin and delighting in the senses, lives in vain, O Partha.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| एवम् evam | thus |
| प्रवर्तितम् pravartitam | set in motion |
| चक्रम् cakram | wheel |
| न na | not |
| अनुवर्तयति anuvartayati | follows, helps turn |
| इह iha | here |
| यः yaḥ | who |
| अघायुः aghāyuḥ | living in sin agha (sin) + āyuḥ (life) |
| इन्द्रियारामः indriyārāmaḥ | delighting in the senses indriya (senses) + ārāmaḥ (delight) |
| मोघम् mogham | in vain |
| पार्थ pārtha | O Pārtha |
| सः saḥ | he |
| जीवति jīvati | lives |
Word-wise Chanting
- e–vaṃ pra–var–ti–taṃ cak–raṃ 8 syllables e-vam pra-var-ti-tam chak-ram
- nā–nu–var–ta–ya–tī–ha yaḥ | 8 syllables naa-nu-var-ta-ya-tee-ha yah
- a–ghā–yu–rin–dri–yā–rā–mo 8 syllables a-ghaa-yu-rin-dri-yaa-raa-mo
- mo–ghaṃ pār–tha sa jī–va–ti || 3-16 8 syllables mo-gham paar-tha sa jee-va-ti
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 3 Verse 16
Context
Krishna concludes his teaching on the cycle of sacrifice (3.9–3.16).
Meaning
The wheel of giving and receiving has been set in motion for the good of all. One who refuses to take part, living only for the pleasure of the senses, breaks the cycle. Krishna says such a life is mogha, empty or futile, because it neither serves others nor leads to freedom.
The verse asks a simple question: are we helping to turn the wheel of life, or only taking from it? A meaningful life contributes. Each of us has a part to play in sustaining the world, and in playing it we find our own fulfilment.
In Practice
Ask yourself today: “What am I contributing to the wheel of life?” Take one step to strengthen that contribution.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 3: Karma Yoga (The Yoga of Action). 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.