Chapter 3 Verse 41
Karm Yog
तस्मात्त्वमिन्द्रियाण्यादौ नियम्य भरतर्षभ। पाप्मानं प्रजहि ह्येनं ज्ञानविज्ञाननाशनम्।।3.41।।
tasmāt tvam indriyāṇyādau niyamya bharatarṣhabha pāpmānaṁ prajahi hyenaṁ jñāna-vijñāna-nāśhanam
Word Meanings
| tasmāt | therefore |
| tvam | you |
| indriyāṇi | senses |
| ādau | in the very beginning |
| niyamya | having controlled |
| bharata-ṛiṣhabha | Arjun, the best of the Bharatas |
| pāpmānam | the sinful |
| prajahi | slay |
| hi | certainly |
| enam | this |
| jñāna | knowledge |
| vijñāna | realization |
| nāśhanam | the destroyer |
Translation
Therefore, O best of the Bharatas, control your senses first and then kill this sinful thing, which destroys knowledge and realization.
Philosophical Significance
Core Meaning
The verse teaches that the senses are the entry point for distraction and false urges. When they run unchecked, they pull the mind outward and weaken clear understanding and inner wisdom.
First step to true learning and realization is to control the senses. This means guiding sight, speech, touch, taste, and hearing so they do not rule your choices.
“Killing the sinful thing” is a strong way of saying: remove the habit or impulse that keeps you restless and attached. By doing this, knowledge turns into real insight and life becomes steadier.
Life Application
- Pause before acting on strong urges: take a few deep breaths or wait five minutes to see if the impulse passes.
- Create small limits for sense pleasures (e.g., set screen time, eat mindfully, keep calm speech) so your attention stays clear.
- Build a short daily practice (meditation, reading, or quiet walk) to strengthen inner calm against habit-driven reactions.
Reflection Question
Which sense-driven habit most often pulls you away from clarity and deeper understanding?