3.34 — One’s own path

Sanskrit · Teaching film · Everyday practice

Speaker: Krishna, addressing Arjuna.

The shloka

इन्द्रियस्येन्द्रियस्यार्थे रागद्वेषौ व्यवस्थितौ ।
तयोर्न वशमागच्छेत्तौ ह्यस्य परिपन्थिनौ ॥ ३४ ॥

Brief meaning

Attraction and aversion are set in each sense towards its objects. One should not come under their sway, for they stand in the way.

In the conversation

Krishna recognises that even the wise act according to their nature, and that suppression alone achieves little. Attraction and aversion attach to every sense and must not be allowed to rule. He then speaks of svadharma: one’s own dharma, even imperfectly done, is better than another’s. This concerns sincere responsibility, and must not be used to justify unfairness or exclusion.

Word by word

इन्द्रियस्य इन्द्रियस्य अर्थे

In the object of each sense,

रागद्वेषौ व्यवस्थितौ

attraction and aversion are set.

तयोः न वशम् आगच्छेत्

Do not come under their control,

तौ हि अस्य परिपन्थिनौ

for they are robbers on one’s road.

Going deeper

Prakṛti here means one’s own nature, and nigraha means forcible suppression. Rāga and dveṣa, attraction and aversion, are called paripanthinau, two robbers waiting on the road. Svadharma is one’s own dharma, the responsibility that truly belongs to us, while paradharma belongs to another. Viguṇa means imperfectly done. Sincerity in our own path matters more than borrowed perfection.

Everyday reflection

A friend seems to have a more impressive role than you, and you begin to imitate their style and ambitions. Yet your own responsibilities, to family, work or community, still wait. Doing your own part honestly, even with mistakes, brings more peace than performing someone else’s life. What is genuinely yours to do this week, that no one else can do in your place?

Consider today: Notice one like or dislike that tried to decide for you today.