Bhagavad Gita BG 3.33
Chapter 3, Verse 33 — Meaning, Translation & Explanation
सदृशं चेष्टते स्वस्याः प्रकृतेर्ज्ञानवानपि । प्रकृतिं यान्ति भूतानि निग्रहः किं करिष्यति ॥ ३३ ॥
sadṛśaṃ ceṣṭate svasyāḥ prakṛter jñānavān api prakṛtiṃ yānti bhūtāni nigrahaḥ kiṃ kariṣyati
Meaning
Even a wise person acts according to their own nature. All beings follow their nature. What will repression accomplish?
Understanding
This verse seems to undercut the entire project of self-transformation — but it is actually a statement about method rather than a counsel of resignation. Even the wise cannot completely escape their svabhāva (inherent nature); they act sadṛśam svasyāḥ prakṛteḥ (in accordance with their own nature). All beings follow their nature. The question 'nigrahaḥ kiṃ kariṣyati?' — 'what will forcible repression accomplish?' — is an argument against brute suppression as a method. True transformation must work with nature, not against it; dharma and karma-yoga channel and refine natural tendencies rather than attempting impossible forcible suppression. You redirect the river; you do not attempt to dam it with bare hands.
Word by Word
| Word | IAST | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| सदृशम् | sadṛśam | in accordance with / similar to / conforming to |
| स्वस्याः प्रकृतेः | svasyāḥ prakṛteḥ | one's own nature / one's inherent constitution |
| ज्ञानवान् अपि | jñānavān api | even a wise person / even the knower |
| निग्रहः | nigrahaḥ | repression / forcible suppression / restraint |
| किं करिष्यति | kiṃ kariṣyati | what will it accomplish? / what good will it do? |
| चेष्टते | ceṣṭate | acts / behaves / strives |
| प्रकृतिम् | prakṛtim | one's nature / one's own temperament |
| यान्ति | yānti | follow / go according to |
| भूतानि | bhūtāni | beings / creatures / all living entities |