अर्जुन उवाच अथ केन प्रयुक्तोऽयं पापं चरति पूरुषः। अनिच्छन्नपि वार्ष्णेय बलादिव नियोजितः।।3.36।।
arjuna uvāca atha kena prayuktaḥ ayaṁ pāpam carati pūruṣaḥ anicchan api vārṣṇeya balād iva niyojitaḥ
Translation
Arjuna said: Then, O descendant of Vrishni, by what is a man impelled to commit sin even unwillingly, as if by force?
Word Meanings
arjunaḥ uvāca — Arjuna said; atha — then; kena — by what; prayuktaḥ — impelled; ayaṃ — this; pāpam — sin; carati — commits; pūruṣaḥ — a man; anicchanapi — even unwillingly; vārṣṇeya — O descendant of Vṛṣṇi; balād‑iva — as if by force; niyojitaḥ — engaged
Understanding the Verse
In this poignant question, Arjuna, having heard Krishna’s discourse on selfless action, turns his focus inward, probing the forces that drive a person toward immoral conduct. The verse opens with ‘atha’ – a connective ‘then’, signaling a continuation of his inquiry after the preceding teachings about duty and sacrifice. The core of the question is encapsulated in ‘kena prayuktaḥ ayaṃ pāpam carati pūruṣaḥ’, asking ‘by what is this sin performed by a man?’
Arjuna acknowledges the paradox of committing sin ‘anicchan‑api’ – even without desire. This highlights a vital philosophical tension: actions are not always a product of conscious intent. Human beings sometimes find themselves caught in circumstances that seem to compel them beyond their volition. The use of ‘vārṣṇeya’, an affectionate address to Krishna, underscores Arjuna’s dependence on divine wisdom to unravel this mystery.
The phrase ‘balād‑iva niyojitaḥ’ (as if by force) intensifies the sense of compulsion. It evokes the image of a person being thrust into wrongdoing by an external power, akin to a stone being hurled. Krishna’s response later in the Gita will clarify that this ‘force’ is the interplay of the three gunas – sattva, rajas, and tamas – and the residual karmic impressions that bind the soul. Thus, the verse sets the stage for a deeper exploration of the roots of moral failure and the importance of discernment.
From a practical standpoint, Arjuna’s query is relatable to anyone who has felt trapped by circumstances – be it societal pressure, fear, or ignorance – that leads to actions contradicting one’s higher values. It invites readers to reflect on the subtle influences that shape behavior, urging an investigation beyond superficial explanations. Recognizing these hidden drivers is the first step toward liberation from the cycle of sin and the attainment of righteous action.
In the broader narrative, this verse serves as a bridge between the theoretical exposition of duty (karma‑yoga) and its practical challenges. It foreshadows Krishna’s clarification that true freedom lies not in the denial of action, but in the purification of motives and the alignment with divine will. By confronting the question of involuntary sin, Arjuna prepares himself – and the audience – for the transformative insight that even seemingly compulsive acts can be transcended through knowledge (jnana) and devotion (bhakti).
