Chapter 3 Verse 28
Karm Yog
तत्त्ववित्तु महाबाहो गुणकर्मविभागयोः। गुणा गुणेषु वर्तन्त इति मत्वा न सज्जते।।3.28।।
tattva-vit tu mahā-bāho guṇa-karma-vibhāgayoḥ guṇā guṇeṣhu vartanta iti matvā na sajjate
Word Meanings
| tattva-vit | the knower of the Truth |
| tu | but |
| mahā-bāho | mighty-armed one |
| guṇa-karma | from guṇas and karma |
| vibhāgayoḥ | distinguish |
| guṇāḥ | modes of material nature in the shape of the senses, mind, etc |
| guṇeṣhu | modes of material nature in the shape of objects of perception |
| vartante | are engaged |
| iti | thus |
| matvā | knowing |
| na | never |
| sajjate | becomes attached |
Translation
But he who knows the Truth, O mighty-armed Arjuna, about the divisions of the qualities and their functions, knowing that the Gunas, as senses, move amidst the Gunas, as the sense-objects, is not attached.
Philosophical Significance
Core Meaning
A wise person sees how the inner qualities (gunas) and their actions work together. They understand that senses, feelings, and the objects they meet are all part of the same play of qualities.
When you know this, you do not cling to what arises. You can act and use your senses without thinking those urges or outcomes are your true self. This understanding brings freedom: you remain a calm witness while life moves around you.
Life Application
- Pause and notice: when a strong feeling or desire arises, label it (thinking, wanting, feeling) and let it pass without immediate identification.
- Do your daily duties fully, but focus on the action itself rather than on results or praise.
- When tempted to react, take a breath and ask whether this is a passing urge or your deeper self before responding.
Reflection Question
Can I watch my next strong feeling as a passing quality instead of immediately claiming it as "me"?