Bhagavad Gita Chapter 3, Verse 29

English Translation

Those who are wholly deluded by the gunas of Nature become attached to the activities of the gunas. The knower of the All should not disturb those of dull intellect, who do not know the All.

Detailed Commentary

।।3.29।। Explanation— 'Prakṛter Guṇasaṁmūḍhāh Sajjante Guṇakarmasu' —Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas are the three Gunas of Prakriti that bind a person. The Sattva Guna binds a person through attachment to happiness and knowledge; the Rajo Guna through attachment to action; and the Tamo Guna through delusion (Pramāda), idleness (Ālasya), and sleep (Nidrā). In the preceding verses, a description is given of those ignorant individuals who are excessively deluded by the Gunas born of Prakriti, yet possess faith and belief in the Shastras, in scripturally ordained auspicious actions (Shubha Karmas), and in their fruits. In verses twenty-five and twenty-six of this very chapter, such ignorant persons have been referred to as 'Saktāh Avidvānsah' and 'Karmasanginām Ajñānām'. Due to their desires for worldly and other-worldly enjoyments, these individuals remain attached to objects and actions. For this reason, they are unable to comprehend the path to elevation, and thus the Lord has called them ignorant (Ajñāni). 'Tān Akṛtsnavido Mandān' —Ignorant individuals do perform auspicious actions, but for the attainment of perishable objects. They maintain possessiveness (Mamata) towards acquired objects like wealth and desire unacquired ones. For this reason, they are unable to fully comprehend the true essence (Tattva) of the Gunas (objects) and actions. Ignorant people correctly understand scripturally ordained actions and their methods, but because they do not fully know the essence of the Gunas and actions, they are called 'Akṛtsnavidah'; and due to their interest in worldly enjoyments, they are called 'Manda' (dull-witted/sluggish). 'Kṛtsnavin Na Vichālayet' —Those knowledgeable individuals (Jñānis) who possess complete understanding of Gunas and actions should not disturb (Vichālayet) those ignorant persons performing auspicious actions with a desire for results (Sakāma Bhāva), lest they fall from their present state. In verses twenty-five and twenty-six of this very chapter, such knowledgeable persons have been described by the names 'Asaktah Vidvān' and 'Yuktah Vidvān'. In verse twenty-five, the Lord commanded the wise great soul (Jñāni Mahāpurusha) to perform actions himself with the word 'Kuryāt', and in verse twenty-six, to inspire ignorant people to act with the word 'Joshayet'. However, here, with the word 'Na Vichālayet', it is suggested not to disturb them. A Jivanmukta Mahāpurusha is not governed by the Lord or the Shastras; their body spontaneously performs actions for the welfare of the world (Lokasaṅgrahārtha). A Jñāni Mahāpurusha, whether a Karma Yogi or a Jñāna Yogi, remains unattached (Nirlipta) to actions and objects, even while performing all actions. Ignorant people perform auspicious actions for the attainment of Swarga (heaven); therefore, the Lord has commanded not to disturb them, so that instability or disbelief does not arise in their scripturally ordained actions. Doing so could lead to their downfall; therefore, it is appropriate to distance them from Sakāma Bhāva (desire for results), but not from Shastric actions. Connection — In the following verse, the Lord explains how a person can become free from attachment to actions and their fruits (Karmaphala).