Chapter 3 Verse 36
Karm Yog
अर्जुन उवाच अथ केन प्रयुक्तोऽयं पापं चरति पूरुषः। अनिच्छन्नपि वार्ष्णेय बलादिव नियोजितः।।3.36।।
arjuna uvācha atha kena prayukto ’yaṁ pāpaṁ charati pūruṣhaḥ anichchhann api vārṣhṇeya balād iva niyojitaḥ
Word Meanings
| arjunaḥ uvācha | Arjun said |
| atha | then |
| kena | by what |
| prayuktaḥ | impelled |
| ayam | one |
| pāpam | sins |
| charati | commit |
| pūruṣhaḥ | a person |
| anichchhan | unwillingly |
| api | even |
| vārṣhṇeya | he who belongs to the Vrishni clan, Shree Krishna |
| balāt | by force |
| iva | as if |
| niyojitaḥ | engaged |
Translation
Arjuna said, "But what compels man to commit sin, even against his wishes, O Varshneya (Krishna), as if constrained by force?"
Philosophical Significance
Core Meaning
Arjuna wonders why people do wrong even when they do not want to. This points to an inner struggle where desire, habit, and outside pressure can overpower our better judgment.
The verse shows that sin or wrong action often comes from forces beyond a single moment of choice: strong cravings, old habits, social pressure, fear, or weakness of will. These act like a force that drags a person into actions they later regret.
Spiritually, the teaching invites us to see that freedom comes from steady inner training — awareness, right understanding, and practice — so the higher self can guide action instead of being pushed around by impulses.
Life Application
- Pause before you act: take a few breaths and ask if this choice aligns with your values.
- Strengthen will with small daily practices: short meditation, regular healthy routines, or saying a clear intention each morning.
- Reduce triggers and set boundaries (people, places, habits) that repeatedly pull you into unwanted actions.
Reflection Question
What recent choice did I make against my better judgment, and what pushed me to do it?