Chapter 3, Verse 6
कर्मेन्द्रियाणि संयम्य य आस्ते मनसा स्मरन् | इन्द्रियार्थान्विमूढात्मा मिथ्याचारः स उच्यते ||३-६||
karmendriyāṇi saṃyamya ya āste manasā smaran . indriyārthānvimūḍhātmā mithyācāraḥ sa ucyate ||3-6||
Meaning
3.6 He who, restraining the organs of action, sits thinking of the sense-objects in mind, he of deluded understanding is called a hypocrite.
Word-by-Word Meaning
Explanation & Commentary
Krishna exposes a subtle form of self-deception. A person may forcibly still the body — sitting motionless in apparent discipline — while the mind keeps feasting on sense-objects. Such a one is a mithyachara, a false practitioner, because outer restraint without inner change is mere pretense.
The teaching pierces the difference between control and suppression. Holding the hands from action while the imagination indulges every craving is not yoga; it breeds delusion and self-righteousness. Real discipline begins in the mind, not the limbs. This verse warns against the spiritual posturing that mistakes appearance for attainment. Genuine transformation requires aligning thought, intention, and deed — otherwise we deceive only ourselves, mistaking a still posture for a purified heart.
💡 Key Takeaway
Controlling outward behaviour while secretly indulging in the mind is self-deception, not discipline — real change starts within.
Related Verses
यस्त्विन्द्रियाणि मनसा नियम्यारभतेऽर्जुन | कर्मेन्द्रियैः कर्मयोगमसक्तः स विशिष्यते ||३-७||
yastvindriyāṇi manasā niyamyārabhate.arjuna . karmendriyaiḥ karmayogamasaktaḥ sa viśiṣyate ||3-7||
3.7 But whosoever, controlling the senses by the mind, O Arjuna, engages himself in Karma Yoga with the organs of action, without attachment, he excels.
एवं प्रवर्तितं चक्रं नानुवर्तयतीह यः | अघायुरिन्द्रियारामो मोघं पार्थ स जीवति ||३-१६||
evaṃ pravartitaṃ cakraṃ nānuvartayatīha yaḥ . aghāyurindriyārāmo moghaṃ pārtha sa jīvati ||3-16||
3.16 He who does not follow here the wheel thus set revolving, who is of sinful life, rejoicing in the senses, he lives in vain, O Arjuna.
इन्द्रियस्येन्द्रियस्यार्थे रागद्वेषौ व्यवस्थितौ | तयोर्न वशमागच्छेत्तौ ह्यस्य परिपन्थिनौ ||३-३४||
indriyasyendriyasyārthe rāgadveṣau vyavasthitau . tayorna vaśamāgacchettau hyasya paripanthinau ||3-34||
3.34 Attachment and aversion for the objects of the senses abide in the senses; let none come under their sway; for, they are his foes.