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Chapter 3 · Karma-yoga · 43 verses

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Mind & yogaChapter 3 · Karma-yoga
3.403.42

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 3.41

Lust, anger and mastery over senses

तस्मात्त्वमिन्द्रियाण्यादौ नियम्य भरतर्षभ ।

पाप्मानं प्रजहि ह्येनं ज्ञानविज्ञाननाशनम् ॥ ४१ ॥

tasmāt tvam indriyāṇy ādau

niyamya bharatarṣabha

pāpmānaṁ prajahi hy enaṁ

jñāna-vijñāna-nāśanam

Translation

Therefore, O Arjuna, best of the Bhāratas, in the very beginning curb this great symbol of sin [lust] by regulating the senses, and slay this destroyer of knowledge and self-realization.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

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

Turn Lust into Love

  1. 1Regulate the senses from the beginning to overcome lust, which destroys knowledge and self-realization.
  2. 2Prabhupāda explains that we are spirit souls, not bodies, and parts of the Lord meant to serve Him. Lust is a distorted reflection of our natural love for God.
  3. 3Begin regulating your senses through devotional service in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Even a late beginner can turn lust into love of God.

Where we are

In the story

Chapter 3, Karma-yoga: lust, anger and mastery over senses.

What it teaches

Theme summary

A disciplined mind is one's best friend.

2

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: manas, indriya, yoga.

3

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 3.41 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to mind & yoga?

Practice

Sit quietly for ten minutes and gently return the mind.

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.

BG 3.37Lust, anger and mastery over sensesBG 3.38Lust, anger and mastery over sensesBG 6.35Practice and detachment

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.