Bhagavad Gita 3.3

Verse 3

श्रीभगवानुवाच | लोकेऽस्मिन्द्विविधा निष्ठा पुरा प्रोक्ता मयानघ | ज्ञानयोगेन सांख्यानां कर्मयोगेन योगिनाम् || ३ ||

Transliteration

śrī-bhagavān uvāca loke 'smin dvi-vidhā niṣṭhā purā proktā mayānagha jñāna-yogena sāṁkhyānāṁ karma-yogena yoginām

Synonyms

śrī-bhagavān uvāca—the Supreme Lord said; loke—in the world; asmin—this; dvi-vidhā—two kinds of; niṣṭhā—faith; purā—formerly; proktā—was said; mayā—by Me; anagha—O sinless one; jñāna-yogena—by the linking process of knowledge; sāṁkhyānām—of the empiric philosophers; karma-yogena—by the linking of devotion; yoginām—of the devotees.

Translation

The Blessed Lord said: O sinless Arjuna, I have already explained that in this world there are two paths — the path of knowledge (Jnana Yoga) for the contemplative, and the path of action (Karma Yoga) for the active.

Multi-Tradition Commentary

Swami Gambhirananda (Advaita Vedanta)

Krishna clarifies the two-fold path taught from ancient times. Jnana Yoga is for those whose minds are already mature and withdrawn from sensory engagement. Karma Yoga is for those who are still engaged in worldly life. Both lead to the same liberation; the difference lies in the readiness and temperament of the seeker, not in the ultimate goal.

Practical Application (Modern Life)

Recognise which path suits your current temperament. If you find meditation and inquiry natural, incline toward Jnana Yoga. If you are action-oriented by nature, practise Karma Yoga — action without ego-attachment. Neither path is superior; both are sanctioned by the Lord for different constitutions of seekers.

Chapter Content

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