In Bhagavad Gita 3.41, Krishna tells Arjuna to begin by controlling the senses and then destroy this sinful desire, the destroyer of knowledge and realisation.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
तस्मात्त्वमिन्द्रियाण्यादौ
नियम्य भरतर्षभ
पाप्मानं प्रजहि ह्येनं
ज्ञानविज्ञाननाशनम् ॥ ३-४१ ॥
tasmāttvamindriyāṇyādau
niyamya bharatarṣabha
pāpmānaṃ prajahi hyenaṃ
jñānavijñānanāśanam
English transliteration tasmaattvamindriyaanyaadau
niyamya bharatarshabha
paapmaanam prajahi hyenam
jnaanavijnaananaashanam ॥ 3.41 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Therefore, O best of the Bharatas, first control the senses, and then slay this sinful destroyer of knowledge and realisation.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| तस्मात् tasmāt | therefore |
| त्वम् tvam | you |
| इन्द्रियाणि indriyāṇi | the senses |
| आदौ ādau | first |
| नियम्य niyamya | controlling |
| भरतर्षभ bharatarṣabha | O best of the Bharatas |
| पाप्मानम् pāpmānam | the sinful |
| प्रजहि prajahi | slay |
| हि hi | indeed |
| एनम् enam | this |
| ज्ञानविज्ञाननाशनम् jñānavijñānanāśanam | destroyer of knowledge and realisation jñāna (knowledge) + vijñāna (realisation) + nāśanam (destroyer) |
Word-wise Chanting
- tas–māt–tva–min–dri–yāṇ–yā–dau 8 syllables tas-maat-tva-min-dri-yaan-yaa-dau
- ni–yam–ya bha–ra–tar–ṣa–bha | 8 syllables ni-yam-ya bha-ra-tar-sha-bha
- pāp–mā–naṃ pra–ja–hi hye–naṃ 8 syllables paap-maa-nam pra-ja-hi hye-nam
- jñā–na–vi–jñā–na–nā–śa–nam || 3-41 8 syllables jnaa-na-vi-jnaa-na-naa-sha-nam
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 41
Context
Krishna gives the first step in conquering desire, based on 3.40.
Meaning
The battle begins with the senses, the outermost stronghold, because they are easiest to work with. By gently restraining what we see, hear and consume, we cut the supply lines of desire. Then the deeper battle in the mind and intellect becomes possible. Desire destroys both jñāna, knowledge, and vijñāna, realised wisdom.
This is practical advice: start where you can. Small acts of sense restraint, such as less distraction, simpler food and quieter environments, create space for inner clarity. Grand spiritual ambitions without this foundation rarely succeed.
In Practice
Choose one sense to discipline for a week: for example, reduce screen time or noise. Observe the effect on your mind.
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.