Bhagavad Gita 3.36 — Arjuna's Question: What Impels a Person to Sin Against Their Will?
अर्जुन उवाच ।
अथ केन प्रयुक्तोऽयं पापं चरति पूरुषः ।
अनिच्छन्नपि वार्ष्णेय बलादिव नियोजितः ॥ ३.३६ ॥
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Arjuna said: By what is a person impelled to commit sin, even unwillingly, O descendant of Vrishni, as if engaged by force?
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| atha | then |
| kena | by what |
| prayuktaḥ | impelled, driven |
| ayam | this |
| pāpam | sin |
| charati | commits |
| pūruṣhaḥ | a person |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| anichchhan | unwillingly |
| api | even |
| vārṣhṇeya | O descendant of Vrishni (Krishna) |
| balāt | by force |
| iva | as if |
| niyojitaḥ | engaged, compelled |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| atha | then | anichchhan | unwillingly |
| kena | by what | api | even |
| prayuktaḥ | impelled, driven | vārṣhṇeya | O descendant of Vrishni (Krishna) |
| ayam | this | balāt | by force |
| pāpam | sin | iva | as if |
| charati | commits | niyojitaḥ | engaged, compelled |
| pūruṣhaḥ | a person | ||
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
In this verse, Arjuna asks one of the most honest and universal questions in the Gita. By what is a person driven to commit sin, even without wishing to, as though pushed by force? It is the question every human being has asked at some point.
Essence
The universal question
Arjuna says: "By what is a person impelled to commit sin, O Vārṣṇeya (Krishna), even against their will, as if forced by power (balād iva niyojitaḥ)?"
Atha kena prayukto'yaṁ pāpaṁ carati pūruṣaḥ (by what is a person driven to sin): Arjuna is not asking about hardened wrongdoers. He is asking about ordinary people, himself included, who know what is right and yet find themselves doing otherwise.
Anicchann api (even unwilling): This phrase is the heart of the question. We often act against our own better judgment: we lose our temper and regret it, we over-indulge and feel remorse, we procrastinate despite knowing the cost.
Balād iva niyojitaḥ (as if compelled by force): The experience feels like being pushed by an external power. Arjuna senses that there must be a hidden driver behind our choices.
A sign of a sincere student
This question shows how far Arjuna has travelled since the first chapter. He is no longer merely confused about the war. He is now reflecting on the deeper cause of human failure and is genuinely seeking to understand the inner enemy.
It also sets the stage for Lord Krishna's final and most psychologically penetrating teaching of the chapter, which identifies the real culprit with great clarity.
Message for Everyday Life (Honest Self-Questioning)
Most of us have asked, "Why did I do that? I knew better." This is not a sign of weakness but the beginning of self-understanding.
Turn regret into inquiry: Instead of blaming yourself harshly, ask what actually drove the action: fear, craving, anger, fatigue. Understanding the pattern is the first step to changing it.
The universal question
Arjuna says: "By what is a person impelled to commit sin, O Vārṣṇeya (Krishna), even against their will, as if forced by power (balād iva niyojitaḥ)?"
Atha kena prayukto'yaṁ pāpaṁ carati pūruṣaḥ (by what is a person driven to sin): Arjuna is not asking about hardened wrongdoers. He is asking about ordinary people, himself included, who know what is right and yet find themselves doing otherwise.
Anicchann api (even unwilling): This phrase is the heart of the question. We often act against our own better judgment: we lose our temper and regret it, we over-indulge and feel remorse, we procrastinate despite knowing the cost.
Balād iva niyojitaḥ (as if compelled by force): The experience feels like being pushed by an external power. Arjuna senses that there must be a hidden driver behind our choices.
A sign of a sincere student
This question shows how far Arjuna has travelled since the first chapter. He is no longer merely confused about the war. He is now reflecting on the deeper cause of human failure and is genuinely seeking to understand the inner enemy.
It also sets the stage for Lord Krishna's final and most psychologically penetrating teaching of the chapter, which identifies the real culprit with great clarity.
Message for Everyday Life (Honest Self-Questioning)
Most of us have asked, "Why did I do that? I knew better." This is not a sign of weakness but the beginning of self-understanding.
Turn regret into inquiry: Instead of blaming yourself harshly, ask what actually drove the action: fear, craving, anger, fatigue. Understanding the pattern is the first step to changing it.
Next Topic
Arjuna has asked what pushes a person toward wrong action against their own will. In the next verse, Lord Krishna gives a direct and unambiguous answer, naming the single great enemy.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
Admit that you sometimes act against your own will.
Find the cause, not just the symptom.
The fight within is shared by everyone.
Knowing right is not always enough to do right.
A deep question deserves a deep answer.
Seeking help is a sign of wisdom.
Understanding the force that drives us is the first step to mastering it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Arjuna ask this question?
What does 'pāpa' (sin or wrong action) mean in this verse?
What does 'balād iva niyojitaḥ' (as if engaged by force) mean?
Why does Arjuna call Krishna 'Vārṣhṇeya' (descendant of Vrishni)?
What is the answer to this question?
Explore related topics
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