In Bhagavad Gita 3.29, Krishna says that people deluded by the qualities of nature are attached to their actions, and the one who knows the whole should not unsettle those who know only in part.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
प्रकृतेर्गुणसम्मूढाः
सज्जन्ते गुणकर्मसु
तानकृत्स्नविदो मन्दान्
कृत्स्नविन्न विचालयेत् ॥ ३-२९ ॥
prakṛterguṇasammūḍhāḥ
sajjante guṇakarmasu
tānakṛtsnavido mandān
kṛtsnavinna vicālayet
English transliteration prakritergunasammoodhaah
sajjante gunakarmasu
taanakritsnavido mandaan
kritsnavinna vichaalayet ॥ 3.29 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Those deluded by the qualities of nature are attached to the functions of the qualities. The one who knows the whole truth should not unsettle the dull-witted who know only part of it.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| प्रकृतेः prakṛteḥ | of nature |
| गुणसम्मूढाः guṇasammūḍhāḥ | deluded by the qualities guṇa (qualities) + sammūḍhāḥ (deluded) |
| सज्जन्ते sajjante | become attached |
| गुणकर्मसु guṇakarmasu | to the functions of the qualities |
| तान् tān | them |
| अकृत्स्नविदः akṛtsnavidaḥ | those of partial knowledge akṛtsna (incomplete) + vidaḥ (knowing) |
| मन्दान् mandān | the dull-witted |
| कृत्स्नवित् kṛtsnavit | the knower of the whole kṛtsna (whole) + vit (knower) |
| न na | not |
| विचालयेत् vicālayet | should unsettle |
Word-wise Chanting
- pra–kṛ–ter–gu–ṇa–sam–mū–ḍhāḥ 8 syllables pra-kri-ter-gu-na-sam-moo-dhaah
- saj–jan–te gu–ṇa–kar–ma–su | 8 syllables saj-jan-te gu-na-kar-ma-su
- tā–na–kṛt–sna–vi–do man–dān– 8 syllables taa-na-krit-sna-vi-do man-daan-
- kṛt–sna–vin–na vi–cā–la–yet || 3-29 8 syllables krit-sna-vin-na vi-chaa-la-yet
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 29
Context
Krishna returns to the advice of 3.26 in light of the teaching on the guṇas (3.27–3.28).
Meaning
Most people, still identified with the play of nature, are attached to their actions and their results. The one who sees the whole truth should not disturb them abruptly. People grow step by step; pushing them too fast can make them abandon the discipline that would lead them further.
This verse cultivates patience and compassion in the wise. It is not a call to keep others ignorant, but to respect the pace of their growth. Truth is offered as nourishment, not as a weapon. The wise teach gently and mainly through their example.
In Practice
Think of someone whose views seem limited to you. Practise patience with them today and support the good in what they do.
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.