Step 4 of 7 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Pick any verse to see what it means and how to use it in your life.

  1. 1Tap a chapter, then a verse
  2. 2Read what it means
  3. 3Try the practice
700 verses37 detailed
Or browse by chapter
Chapter

Chapter 3 · Karma-yoga · 43 verses

Deep profile← → keys move between verses

Nature & guṇasChapter 3 · Karma-yoga

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 3.29

Nature, false ego and the modes

प्रकृतेर्गुणसम्मूढाः सज्ज‍न्ते गुणकर्मसु ।

तानकृत्स्नविदो मन्दान्कृत्स्नविन्न विचालयेत् ॥ २९ ॥

prakṛter guṇa-sammūḍhāḥ

sajjante guṇa-karmasu

tān akṛtsna-vido mandān

kṛtsna-vin na vicālayet

Translation

Bewildered by the modes of material nature, the ignorant fully engage themselves in material activities and become attached. But the wise should not unsettle them, although these duties are inferior due to the performers’ lack of knowledge.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

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

Do Not Unsettle Others

  1. 1People confused by material nature’s modes become attached to material work. The wise should not unsettle them.
  2. 2Prabhupāda explains that they mistake the body for the self. Yet compassionate devotees risk approaching them to share Kṛṣṇa consciousness, which is essential for human life.
  3. 3Continue your own spiritual activities quietly, without agitating people absorbed in material life.

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

Practice

Observe which mode shaped your last decision.

4

The story behind it

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

All stories for chapter 3 ›
5

Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

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

Ask the study guide

Ask about BG 3.29 — get a simple answer linked to related ideas and verses.