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Chapter 3 · Karma-yoga · 43 verses

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Duty & actionChapter 3 · Karma-yoga
3.63.8

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 3.7

Why disciplined, selfless action is necessary

यस्त्विन्द्रियाणि मनसा नियम्यारभतेऽर्जुन ।

कर्मेन्द्रियैः कर्मयोगमसक्तः स विशिष्यते ॥ ७ ॥

yas tv indriyāṇi manasā

niyamyārabhate ’rjuna

karmendriyaiḥ karma-yogam

asaktaḥ sa viśiṣyate

Translation

On the other hand, if a sincere person tries to control the active senses by the mind and begins karma-yoga [in Kṛṣṇa consciousness] without attachment, he is by far superior.

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.

Sincere Work in Kṛṣṇa Consciousness

  1. 1A sincere person who controls the senses with the mind and works in Kṛṣṇa consciousness without attachment is far superior.
  2. 2Prabhupāda explains that sincere, regulated service—even while doing one’s regular work—helps one become free from material bondage and reach Viṣṇu.
  3. 3Continue your duties without attachment, control your senses, and sincerely serve Kṛṣṇa rather than make a show of spirituality.

Where we are

In the story

Chapter 3, Karma-yoga: why disciplined, selfless action is necessary.

What it teaches

Theme summary

Act dutifully without attachment to fruits.

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Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: karma, sva-dharma.

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Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 3.7 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to duty & action?

Practice

Do one task today purely because it is right.

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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 3.3Why disciplined, selfless action is necessaryBG 3.4Why disciplined, selfless action is necessaryBG 2.47Responsibility without ownership of outcomes

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

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Ask about BG 3.7 — get a simple answer linked to related ideas and verses.

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.