tasmāt tvam indriyāṇyādau niyamya bharatarṣhabha
pāpmānaṁ prajahi hyenaṁ jñāna-vijñāna-nāśhanam
tasmāt — therefore;
tvam — you;
indriyāṇi — senses;
ādau — in the very beginning;
niyamya — having controlled;
bharata-ṛiṣhabha — Arjun, the best of the Bharatas;
pāpmānam — the sinful;
prajahi — slay;
hi — certainly;
enam — this;
jñāna — knowledge;
vijñāna — realization;
nāśhanam — the destroyer
In this verse from the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna is giving important advice to Arjuna, who is confused about his purpose and struggles with his inner desires. Here’s what it means in simple terms:
Krishna tells Arjuna that the first thing he should do is to control his senses. Senses are things like sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell. Sometimes, our senses can lead us to make poor choices or get distracted from what really matters in life. By ‘controlling’ your senses, it means not letting them go wild or letting them decide what you do.
For example, if you see a delicious dessert, your sense of taste might tempt you to eat it right away, even if you are not hungry or it’s not good for your health. Instead, controlling your senses could mean waiting to eat when it’s appropriate or deciding to eat something healthier.
Krishna emphasizes that this control is necessary to fight against lust, which he describes as a major source of sin and problems in life. Lust here doesn’t just mean sexual desire; it refers to any strong craving or desire that can lead one away from the right path. It’s like an enemy that can distract you from achieving your goals and understanding who you truly are.
Next, Krishna talks about two kinds of knowledge: "jnana" and "vijnana."
- **Jnanam** means knowledge that helps you to understand the difference between your true self (the spirit) and the body (the physical part that we see). It’s like knowing that you are not just your job, your possessions, or your looks; you are something deeper inside.
- **Vijnanam** is more specific knowledge, understanding your nature and your relationship with the divine or Supreme Soul. It’s like knowing that you have a special connection with a higher power and why that connection matters.
Krishna assures Arjuna that this kind of understanding can often be hidden by what is called "maya,” or illusion. This illusion makes people forget their true nature and leads them to act in ways that are not beneficial.
To clear this confusion and gain this knowledge, Krishna says that it’s crucial to learn about self-awareness and Krsna consciousness from the right source—basically, spiritual teachings. By doing this early in life, you’ll have a clear understanding of yourself and can make better choices in your actions.
In summary, this verse teaches the importance of controlling our desires and cravings by managing our senses. By understanding who we are and our relationship with the divine, we not only rid ourselves of unhelpful attachments but also find a deeper happiness in life. This all comes together to help us live a more fulfilling and purposeful life.