Word meanings
- prakṛteḥ
- of material nature
- guṇa
- by the modes of material nature
- sammūḍhāḥ
- deluded
- sajjante
- become attached
- guṇa-karmasu
- to results of actions
- tān
- those
- akṛtsna-vidaḥ
- persons without knowledge
- mandān
- the ignorant
- kṛtsna-vit
- persons with knowledge
- na vicālayet
- should not unsettle
Translations
Those deluded by the qualities of Nature are attached to the functions of the qualities. The man of perfect knowledge should not unsettle the foolish one who is of imperfect knowledge.
Those who do not understand the qualities are interested in the act; however, the wise man who knows the truth should not disturb the mind of those who do not.
Those who are completely deluded by the gunas of Nature become attached to the activities of the gunas. The one who knows the All should not disturb those of dull intellect, who do not know the All.
प्रकृतिजन्य गुणोंसे अत्यन्त मोहित हुए अज्ञानी मनुष्य गुणों और कर्मोंमें आसक्त रहते हैं। उन पूर्णतया न समझनेवाले मन्दबुद्धि अज्ञानियोंको पूर्णतया जाननेवाला ज्ञानी मनुष्य विचलित न करे।Commentary
The ignorant people do action with the expectation of fruits. The wise people who have the knowledge of the Self should not distract the faith or conviction or belief of such ignorant persons. If they unsettle their minds they will give up actions and become victims of inertia. They will lead an idle life. They should be encouraged by the wise to do actions of the Sakama type (actions for the sake of their fruits) in the beginning. The wise ones should turn the minds of the ignorant by giving them gradual instructions on Karma Yoga (Yoga of selfless, desireless action) and its benefits, viz., purification of the heart that leads to the attainment of Selfrealisation.