3.26 — Acting wisely among others

Sanskrit · Teaching film · Everyday practice

Speaker: Krishna, addressing Arjuna.

The shloka

न बुद्धिभेदं जनयेदज्ञानां कर्मसङ्गिनाम् ।
जोषयेत्सर्वकर्माणि विद्वान्युक्तः समाचरन् ॥ २६ ॥

Brief meaning

The wise should not unsettle the understanding of those attached to action. Acting with discipline themselves, they should encourage others in all good work.

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

न बुद्धिभेदम् जनयेत्

Let the wise not unsettle the understanding

अज्ञानाम् कर्मसङ्गिनाम्

of the unknowing who are attached to action.

जोषयेत् सर्वकर्माणि

Rather, let them encourage all good work,

विद्वान् युक्तः समाचरन्

the wise one acting with discipline.

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: Encourage someone’s sincere effort rather than correcting it.