Chapter 3 Verse 34
Karm Yog
इन्द्रियस्येन्द्रियस्यार्थे रागद्वेषौ व्यवस्थितौ। तयोर्न वशमागच्छेत्तौ ह्यस्य परिपन्थिनौ।।3.34।।
indriyasyendriyasyārthe rāga-dveṣhau vyavasthitau tayor na vaśham āgachchhet tau hyasya paripanthinau
Word Meanings
| indriyasya | of the senses |
| indriyasya arthe | in the sense objects |
| rāga | attachment |
| dveṣhau | aversion |
| vyavasthitau | situated |
| tayoḥ | of them |
| na | never |
| vaśham | be controlled |
| āgachchhet | should become |
| tau | those |
| hi | certainly |
| asya | for him |
| paripanthinau | foes |
Translation
Attachment and aversion for the objects of the senses abide in the senses; let no one come under their sway; for, they are his enemies.
Philosophical Significance
Core Meaning
The verse says that attachment (like) and aversion (dislike) live in the senses when they meet their objects. These feelings are natural reactions to pleasure and pain.
If you allow those likes and dislikes to control you, they become your enemies. They pull you away from wise choices, peaceful mind, and right action.
True freedom is to recognize these urges without blindly following them. That does not mean harshly denying the senses, but learning to watch them and choose actions from clarity and duty instead of impulse.
Life Application
- Pause before acting: when a strong like or dislike arises, take a few breaths and ask whether the action serves your long-term values or duty.
- Delay impulse decisions (buying, replying, reacting) for a set time so the initial pull can settle.
- Build small daily habits (short meditation, mindful walking, regular work routine) to strengthen the ability to observe the senses without obeying them.
Reflection Question
When did attraction or aversion steer my action today, and what would I do differently with a moment of pause?