Chapter 3, Verse 34
इन्द्रियस्येन्द्रियस्यार्थे रागद्वेषौ व्यवस्थितौ | तयोर्न वशमागच्छेत्तौ ह्यस्य परिपन्थिनौ ॥34॥
indriyasyendriyasyārthe rāga-dveṣau vyavasthitau | tayorna vaśam āgacchettau hyasya paripanthinau ||
"Attraction and repulsion are ordained with regard to the objects of all the organs. One should not come under the sway of these two, because they are his adversaries."
Key Insight:
The Bhagavad Gita teaches us through 3.34 that true peace is found when we align our actions with Dharma.
The Bhagavad Gita teaches us through 3.34 that true peace is found when we align our actions with Dharma.
Detailed Meaning
Lord Krishna explains that the senses (indriyas) naturally experience attraction (rāga) toward pleasant objects and repulsion (dveṣa) toward unpleasant ones. This is a physiological and psychological certainty ('vyavasthitau'). However, the spiritual instruction is not to suppress the senses but to avoid falling under the 'vaśam' (control) of these dualities. These two impulses are described as 'paripanthinau'—literally meaning 'thieves' or 'highwaymen' who wait on the path of spiritual progress to rob the seeker of their wisdom and equanimity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core message of Gita 3.34?
Attraction and repulsion are ordained with regard to the objects of all the organs. One should not come under the sway of these two, because they are his adversaries.