Chapter 3, verse 1
अर्जुन उवाच ज्यायसी चेत्कर्मणस्ते मता बुद्धिर्जनार्दन। तत्किं कर्मणि घोरे मां नियोजयसि केशव।।3.1।।
arjuna uvāca jyāyasī cetkarmaṇaste matā buddhirjanārdana tatkiṃ karmaṇi ghore māṃ niyojayasi keśava3.1
Word meanings
- ज्यायसी — superior
- चेत् — if
- कर्मणः — than action
- ते — by Thee
- मता — thought
- बुद्धिः — knowledge
- जनार्दन — O Janardana
- तत् — then
- किम् — why
- कर्मणि — in action
- घोरे — terrible
- माम् — me
Translation
Arjuna said: If Thou thinkest that knowledge is superior to action, O Krishna, why then, O Kesava, doest Thou ask me to engage in this terrible action?
Translation Context: "Arjuna said: If Thou thinkest that knowledge is superior to action, O Krishna, why then, O Kesava, doest Thou ask me to engage in this terrible action?"
Commentary & Insight: In this verse of Chapter 3, Sri Krishna counsels Arjuna on the field of Kurukshetra. The teaching illuminates the eternal nature of the soul, the sacred call of duty (Dharma), and the path of unattached action (Nishkama Karma). Reflecting upon this verse brings mental peace, spiritual strength, and wisdom in daily life.