Bhagavad Gita BG 3.26
Chapter 3, Verse 26 — Meaning, Translation & Explanation
न बुद्धिभेदं जनयेदज्ञानां कर्मसङ्गिनाम् । जोषयेत्सर्वकर्माणि विद्वान्युक्तः समाचरन् ॥ २६ ॥
na buddhi-bhedaṃ janayed ajñānāṃ karma-saṅginām joṣayet sarva-karmāṇi vidvān yuktaḥ samācaran
Meaning
The wise person should not unsettle or confuse the minds (buddhi-bheda) of the ignorant who are still attached to action. Acting in harmony themselves, they should engage all in all actions.
Understanding
This verse deals with the ethics of teaching and leadership. Buddhi-bheda means 'splitting the mind / confusion in understanding.' A wise teacher who suddenly declares 'nothing matters, the Self does everything' to someone who is attached to results would create destructive confusion — the student might give up dharmic action without having developed the inner stability needed for true renunciation. The wise teacher acts correctly (yuktaḥ samācaran) and through engaged personal example (joṣayet sarva-karmāṇi) draws others into right action without destabilising them. True wisdom is not always demonstrating how far beyond ordinary life you are, but meeting people where they are.
Word by Word
| Word | IAST | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| बुद्धिभेदम् | buddhi-bhedam | confusion of understanding / splitting the mind / unsettling of intelligence |
| जनयेत् | janayet | should generate / create / cause |
| कर्मसङ्गिनाम् | karma-saṅginām | of those attached to action / those bound by karma |
| जोषयेत् | joṣayet | should engage / cause to participate / inspire |
| युक्तः | yuktaḥ | integrated / harmonious / in yoga / disciplined |
| न | na | not (should not create) |
| अज्ञानाम् | ajñānām | of the ignorant / in the minds of the unwise |
| सर्वकर्माणि | sarva-karmāṇi | all actions / all works |
| विद्वान् | vidvān | the wise person / the knower |
| समाचरन् | samācaran | performing / practicing (all actions) |