Bhagavad Gita 3.34 — Do Not Fall Under the Sway of Attachment and Aversion
इन्द्रियस्येन्द्रियस्यार्थे रागद्वेषौ व्यवस्थितौ ।
तयोर्न वशमागच्छेत्तौ ह्यस्य परिपन्थिनौ ॥ ३.३४ ॥
🔊 Listen to meaning of this shloka
Current voice: —
Ready
Text-to-speech is not supported by this browser.
Attachment and aversion are seated in the objects of each sense. One should not come under the control of these two, for they are indeed one's enemies on the path.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| indriyasya | of the sense |
| indriyasya | of the sense |
| arthe | in the object |
| rāgadveṣhau | attachment and aversion |
| vyavasthitau | are seated, are present |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| tayoḥ | of these two |
| na | not |
| vaśham | under the control |
| āgachchhet | should come |
| tau | these two |
| hi | indeed |
| asya | his |
| paripanthinau | enemies, obstructers on the path |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| indriyasya | of the sense | tayoḥ | of these two |
| indriyasya | of the sense | na | not |
| arthe | in the object | vaśham | under the control |
| rāgadveṣhau | attachment and aversion | āgachchhet | should come |
| vyavasthitau | are seated, are present | tau | these two |
| hi | indeed | ||
| asya | his | ||
| paripanthinau | enemies, obstructers on the path | ||
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
In this verse, Lord Krishna points to the precise source of our inner turmoil: attraction and aversion toward the objects of the senses. These twin forces lie in wait within each sense, and one must not fall under their power, for they are the true obstacles on the path.
Essence
Rāga and dveṣa: the hidden forces
Lord Krishna says: "Attraction (rāga) and aversion (dveṣa) are situated in the senses in relation to their objects. One should not come under their control, for they are the two obstructers (paripanthinau) of one's path."
Rāga (attraction): The pull toward what appears pleasant: tasty food, praise, comfort, entertainment. It leads to craving and clinging.
Dveṣa (aversion): The push away from what appears unpleasant: criticism, discomfort, difficult people, hard work. It leads to anger, avoidance and resentment.
Indriyasyendriyasyārthe (in each sense in relation to its object): Each sense has its own likes and dislikes. The eyes like certain sights, the tongue certain tastes. These responses are already present before we think about them.
Paripanthinau (two highway robbers): This vivid image shows rāga and dveṣa as bandits waiting along the road, ready to rob the traveller of peace and progress. They do not announce themselves; they appear as natural preferences.
A path between two extremes
The teaching is not to destroy all feelings, which is impossible, but not to be ruled by them. A person who acts only on likes and dislikes is like a leaf in the wind. A person who sees them clearly, and chooses according to duty and wisdom, becomes free.
This verse also explains why Karma Yoga is so effective: working for duty rather than preference gradually weakens the grip of attraction and aversion, since action is no longer chosen merely because we like it.
Message for Everyday Life (Notice the Pull and the Push)
Observe during the day how often you choose based on mood: avoiding a difficult conversation, reaching for a distraction, reacting to a comment. These are rāga and dveṣa at work.
Create a pause: Before acting on a strong like or dislike, take a breath and ask, "What would be right here?" That tiny gap is the beginning of freedom.
Rāga and dveṣa: the hidden forces
Lord Krishna says: "Attraction (rāga) and aversion (dveṣa) are situated in the senses in relation to their objects. One should not come under their control, for they are the two obstructers (paripanthinau) of one's path."
Rāga (attraction): The pull toward what appears pleasant: tasty food, praise, comfort, entertainment. It leads to craving and clinging.
Dveṣa (aversion): The push away from what appears unpleasant: criticism, discomfort, difficult people, hard work. It leads to anger, avoidance and resentment.
Indriyasyendriyasyārthe (in each sense in relation to its object): Each sense has its own likes and dislikes. The eyes like certain sights, the tongue certain tastes. These responses are already present before we think about them.
Paripanthinau (two highway robbers): This vivid image shows rāga and dveṣa as bandits waiting along the road, ready to rob the traveller of peace and progress. They do not announce themselves; they appear as natural preferences.
A path between two extremes
The teaching is not to destroy all feelings, which is impossible, but not to be ruled by them. A person who acts only on likes and dislikes is like a leaf in the wind. A person who sees them clearly, and chooses according to duty and wisdom, becomes free.
This verse also explains why Karma Yoga is so effective: working for duty rather than preference gradually weakens the grip of attraction and aversion, since action is no longer chosen merely because we like it.
Message for Everyday Life (Notice the Pull and the Push)
Observe during the day how often you choose based on mood: avoiding a difficult conversation, reaching for a distraction, reacting to a comment. These are rāga and dveṣa at work.
Create a pause: Before acting on a strong like or dislike, take a breath and ask, "What would be right here?" That tiny gap is the beginning of freedom.
Next Topic
Lord Krishna has warned that attraction and aversion are the great obstacles. He now returns to the question of duty, and explains why it is far better to follow one's own dharma than to attempt another's, however attractive it may seem.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
Notice the pull before you obey it.
You are free when your likes and dislikes no longer decide your actions.
Neither craving nor rejecting is the road to calm.
Self-control is the art of choosing your response.
Peace grows as reactivity fades.
Impartiality sharpens judgment.
The strong mind feels the pull and still walks straight.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are 'rāga' (attachment) and 'dveṣha' (aversion)?
Does the verse say we must stop feeling attraction or dislike?
Why are they called 'paripanthin' (enemies or obstructers on the path)?
How can one avoid coming under their 'vaśha' (control)?
How does this verse support the idea of 'svadharma' (one's own duty)?
Explore related topics
More shlokas on the themes this verse touches: