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Chapter 3 · Karma-yoga · 43 verses

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Nature & guṇasChapter 3 · Karma-yoga
3.273.29

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 3.28

Nature, false ego and the modes

तत्त्ववित्तु महाबाहो गुणकर्मविभागयोः ।

गुणा गुणेषु वर्तन्त इति मत्वा न सज्ज‍ते ॥ २८ ॥

tattva-vit tu mahā-bāho

guṇa-karma-vibhāgayoḥ

guṇā guṇeṣu vartanta

iti matvā na sajjate

Translation

One who is in knowledge of the Absolute Truth, O mighty-armed, does not engage himself in the senses and sense gratification, knowing well the differences between work in devotion and work for fruitive results.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

What this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.

Knowing Our Place in Devotion

  1. 1One who knows the Absolute Truth avoids sense pleasure, understanding the difference between devotional work and work for personal rewards.
  2. 2Prabhupāda explains that we are parts of Kṛṣṇa, meant to serve Him. Kṛṣṇa consciousness naturally brings freedom from attachment to temporary sense activities.
  3. 3Engage your activities in Kṛṣṇa’s service, and see material difficulties as His mercy.

Where we are

In the story

Chapter 3, Karma-yoga: nature, false ego and the modes.

What it teaches

Theme summary

The modes of nature condition behavior.

2

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: prakṛti, guṇa.

3

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 3.28 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to nature & guṇas?

Practice

Observe which mode shaped your last decision.

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The story behind it

Mahābhārata episodes and stories from the purports that shed light on this verse.

All stories for chapter 3 ›
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Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 3.27Nature, false ego and the modesBG 3.29Nature, false ego and the modesBG 7.14Crossing beyond māyā

Study notes are editorial summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport.

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Back to step 3The key ideasNext · Step 5 of 7 · 5 minLive the teachingsBring it into your day with a practice and a question, straight from Prabhupāda's purports.