3.25 — Acting wisely among others

Sanskrit · Teaching film · Everyday practice

Speaker: Krishna, addressing Arjuna.

The shloka

सक्ताः कर्मण्यविद्वांसो यथा कुर्वन्ति भारत ।
कुर्याद्विद्वांस्तथासक्तश्चिकीर्षुर्लोकसङ्ग्रहम् ॥ २५ ॥

Brief meaning

As the unwise act attached to their work, so the wise should act without attachment, wishing to hold the world together.

In the conversation

The wise and the unwise may perform the same actions. The difference is attachment. Krishna asks the wise to act without attachment, for the good of the world, and not to unsettle the understanding of those still attached to their work. Better to inspire through steady example than to disturb with lectures.

Word by word

सक्ताः कर्मणि अविद्वांसः

As the unknowing, attached to action,

यथा कुर्वन्ति भारत

act, O Bhārata,

कुर्यात् विद्वान् तथा असक्तः

so should the wise act, but unattached,

चिकीर्षुः लोकसङ्ग्रहम्

wishing to hold the world together.

Going deeper

The avidvān, the unknowing person, and the vidvān, the wise person, may do the very same work. The difference lies within, in attachment. Buddhi bheda means splitting or unsettling someone’s understanding. Yukta means disciplined, joined in yoga. The verb joṣayet means to encourage, even to make others glad in their work. Wisdom here is shown through steady example, not by belittling others.

Everyday reflection

You have found a quieter, more reflective way to work, and colleagues still chase targets anxiously. Telling them they have it all wrong may only confuse or discourage them. Instead, do your own work calmly and well, help when asked, and let the difference be seen rather than preached. What would it look like to encourage someone without correcting them today?

Consider today: Work carefully at something whose benefit is mostly for others.