In Bhagavad Gita 3.26, Krishna advises the wise not to disturb the understanding of the ignorant who are attached to action, but to inspire them by acting well themselves.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
न बुद्धिभेदं जनयेद्
अज्ञानां कर्मसङ्गिनाम्
जोषयेत्सर्वकर्माणि
विद्वान्युक्तः समाचरन् ॥ ३-२६ ॥
na buddhibhedaṃ janayed
ajñānāṃ karmasaṅginām
joṣayetsarvakarmāṇi
vidvānyuktaḥ samācaran
English transliteration na buddhibhedam janayed
ajnaanaam karmasanginaam
joshayetsarvakarmaani
vidvaanyuktah samaacharan ॥ 3.26 ॥
Translation / Meaning
The wise should not unsettle the minds of the ignorant who are attached to action. Remaining steadfast, the wise should encourage them in all their actions by performing their own work well.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| न na | not |
| बुद्धिभेदम् buddhibhedam | unsettling of understanding buddhi (understanding) + bhedam (splitting) |
| जनयेत् janayet | should create |
| अज्ञानाम् ajñānām | of the ignorant |
| कर्मसङ्गिनाम् karmasaṅginām | attached to action karma (action) + saṅginām (attached) |
| जोषयेत् joṣayet | should encourage |
| सर्वकर्माणि sarvakarmāṇi | all actions |
| विद्वान् vidvān | the wise |
| युक्तः yuktaḥ | steadfast |
| समाचरन् samācaran | performing well |
Word-wise Chanting
- na bud–dhi–bhe–daṃ ja–na–yed– 8 syllables na bud-dhi-bhe-dam ja-na-yed-
- a–jñā–nāṃ kar–ma–saṅ–gi–nām | 8 syllables a-jnaa-naam kar-ma-san-gi-naam
- jo–ṣa–yet–sar–va–kar–mā–ṇi 8 syllables jo-sha-yet-sar-va-kar-maa-ni
- vid–vān–yuk–taḥ sa–mā–ca–ran || 3-26 8 syllables vid-vaan-yuk-tah sa-maa-cha-ran
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 26
Context
Krishna adds a caution about how the wise should relate to others (following 3.25).
Meaning
Someone who has understood that action should be free of attachment might be tempted to tell others that their efforts are pointless. Krishna warns against this. Undermining people’s motivation before they are ready for higher understanding only confuses them. Instead, the wise should lead by example, working well and encouraging others in their duties.
This is a teaching on wise communication. Truth must be offered at the right time and in the right way. Before people can let go of attachment, they need to develop discipline and responsibility. The best teacher meets others where they are and inspires by living well.
In Practice
When you feel tempted to correct someone’s motives, ask whether your example would help them more than your words.
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.