In Bhagavad Gita 3.7, Krishna says that one who controls the senses with the mind and engages the organs of action in karma yoga without attachment is superior.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
यस्त्विन्द्रियाणि मनसा
नियम्यारभतेऽर्जुन
कर्मेन्द्रियैः कर्मयोगम्
असक्तः स विशिष्यते ॥ ३-७ ॥
yastvindriyāṇi manasā
niyamyārabhate’rjuna
karmendriyaiḥ karmayogam
asaktaḥ sa viśiṣyate
English transliteration yastvindriyaani manasaa
niyamyaarabhate’rjuna
karmendriyaih karmayogam
asaktah sa vishishyate ॥ 3.7 ॥
Translation / Meaning
But one who controls the senses with the mind, O Arjuna, and without attachment engages the organs of action in the yoga of action, excels.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| यः yaḥ | who |
| तु tu | but |
| इन्द्रियाणि indriyāṇi | the senses |
| मनसा manasā | with the mind |
| नियम्य niyamya | controlling |
| आरभते ārabhate | begins, engages |
| अर्जुन arjuna | O Arjuna |
| कर्मेन्द्रियैः karmendriyaiḥ | with the organs of action |
| कर्मयोगम् karmayogam | the yoga of action |
| असक्तः asaktaḥ | without attachment |
| सः saḥ | he |
| विशिष्यते viśiṣyate | excels |
Word-wise Chanting
- yas–tvin–dri–yā–ṇi ma–na–sā 8 syllables yas-tvin-dri-yaa-ni ma-na-saa
- ni–yam–yā–ra–bha–te–‘rju–na | 8 syllables ni-yam-yaa-ra-bha-te-‘rju-na
- kar–men–dri–yaiḥ kar–ma–yo–gam– 8 syllables kar-men-dri-yaih kar-ma-yo-gam-
- a–sak–taḥ sa vi–śiṣ–ya–te || 3-7 8 syllables a-sak-tah sa vi-shish-ya-te
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 7
Context
In contrast to the hypocrite of 3.6, Krishna describes the true karma yogi.
Meaning
The true karma yogi does the opposite of the hypocrite: the mind governs the senses, and the body is engaged in useful action without attachment. Inner discipline and outer engagement go together. Such a person excels, viśiṣyate, both in spiritual progress and in practical life.
This verse defines karma yoga simply: controlled senses, engaged hands, a free heart. It is accessible to anyone. A parent, a teacher, a worker or a leader can practise it in the middle of daily life. Spirituality becomes not a withdrawal but a way of working.
In Practice
Choose one daily duty and do it today with full engagement and no attachment to praise or reward. Notice how it feels.
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.