An awakened person should not unsettle the minds of those attached to action. Instead, acting skillfully, such a person should engage them in all work.
— Krishna
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Bhagavad Gita · 3.26
Hindi · हिन्दी
हे भरतवंशोद्भव अर्जुन कर्ममें आसक्त हुए अज्ञानीजन जिस प्रकार कर्म करते हैं आसक्तिरहित विद्वान भी लोकसंग्रह करना चाहता हुआ उसी प्रकार कर्म करे । सावधान तत्त्वज्ञ महापुरुष कर्मोंमें आसक्तिवाले अज्ञानी मनुष्योंकी बुद्धिमें भ्रम उत्पन्न न करे, प्रत्युत स्वयं समस्त कर्मोंको अच्छी तरहसे करता हुआ उनसे भी वैसे ही करवाये ॥
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Hover a word to focus on it.
नnotबुद्धिभेदंconfusion of understandingजनयेत्should generateअज्ञानांof the ignorantकर्मसङ्गिनाम्of those attached to actionजोषयेत्should encourageसर्वकर्माणिall actionsविद्वान्the wise oneयुक्तःsteadfast, disciplinedसमाचरन्while acting properly
Read literallynot · confusion of understanding · should generate · of the ignorant · of those attached to action · should encourage · all actions · the wise one · steadfast, disciplined · while acting properly
Understanding the verse
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It shifts the aim from proving insight to preserving others’ ability to act well.
A wise person should not confuse people who are still attached to action. Instead, by acting well, they should guide others into right action.
02
On the battlefield
Context & commentary
On the battlefield, Krishna is teaching Arjuna how a wise person should behave in society. Even while remaining free from attachment, the wise must keep others steady, not create confusion in minds still tied to action.
03
In your life
Why this verse still matters
You’ve finally learned a hard lesson, and someone around you is still clinging to the old pattern. Blasting them with your clarity may only make them resist harder.
The takeaway
“Lead by example, not by shaking people’s confidence before they are ready.”
A wise person should not confuse people who are still attached to action. Instead, by acting well, they should guide others into right action.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 3.26?
Krishna speaks this verse, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, in the chapter titled "Karma Yoga" (The Yoga of Action).
Which chapter of the Bhagavad Gita contains verse 3.26?
Verse 26 sits in Chapter 3 of the Bhagavad Gita — Karma Yoga, "The Yoga of Action". The chapter has 43 verses in total.
Why does Bhagavad Gita 3.26 matter today?
You’ve finally learned a hard lesson, and someone around you is still clinging to the old pattern. Blasting them with your clarity may only make them resist harder.
It shifts the aim from proving insight to preserving others’ ability to act well.
What this verse means
A wise person should not confuse people who are still attached to action. Instead, by acting well, they should guide others into right action.
Context & commentary
On the battlefield, Krishna is teaching Arjuna how a wise person should behave in society. Even while remaining free from attachment, the wise must keep others steady, not create confusion in minds still tied to action.
Why this verse still matters
You’ve finally learned a hard lesson, and someone around you is still clinging to the old pattern. Blasting them with your clarity may only make them resist harder.
“Lead by example, not by shaking people’s confidence before they are ready.”