🧠 The Wise Must Act Like the Unwise — But Without Attachment | Bhagavad Gita Chapter 3, Shloka 25 Explained

📜 श्लोक (Sanskrit)

सक्ताः कर्मण्यविद्वांसो यथा कुर्वन्ति भारत ।
कुर्याद्विद्वांस्तथासक्तश्चिकीर्षुर्लोकसंग्रहम् ॥ 25 ॥

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🔤 IAST Transliteration

saktāḥ karmaṇy avidvāṁso yathā kurvanti bhārata
kuryād vidvāṁs tathāsaktaś cikīrṣur loka-saṅgraham ॥ 25 ॥

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🇮🇳 हिन्दी अनुवाद (Hindi Translation)

हे भारत (अर्जुन)! जैसे अज्ञानी व्यक्ति फल की आसक्ति के साथ कर्म करते हैं, वैसे ही ज्ञानी व्यक्ति भी लोकसंग्रह (जनकल्याण) की इच्छा से, परंतु बिना आसक्ति के कर्म करें।

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🌐 English Translation

O Bharata, just as the ignorant perform actions with attachment to results, so should the wise act—without attachment—desiring to lead people on the right path.

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🧠 व्याख्या (Detailed Explanation in Hindi)

श्रीकृष्ण इस श्लोक में ज्ञानी व्यक्ति (विद्वान्) को कर्म की व्यवहारिक शैली सिखा रहे हैं।

• “सक्ताः कर्मणि अविद्वांसः” — अज्ञानी व्यक्ति (जो आत्मा के स्वरूप को नहीं जानता) कर्म में फलों की आसक्ति के साथ कार्य करता है।

• “विद्वान्” — परंतु ज्ञानी व्यक्ति को भी…

• “तथा असक्तः” — वैसे ही कार्य करना चाहिए, पर बिना किसी फल की आसक्ति के।

• “चिकीर्षुः लोकसंग्रहम्” — ताकि समाज का कल्याण हो और लोग भ्रमित न हों।

👉 इस श्लोक का मुख्य संदेश यह है कि ज्ञानी व्यक्ति को भी कर्म करते हुए अज्ञानी की तरह दिखना चाहिए, लेकिन उसके भीतर आसक्ति का अभाव होना चाहिए।

इससे समाज में एक सकारात्मक उदाहरण स्थापित होता है, और जो लोग अभी ज्ञान में स्थिर नहीं हुए हैं, वे भी धर्म और कर्म के मार्ग पर चलने को प्रेरित होते हैं।

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📖 Detailed Explanation in English

Krishna explains how the wise (vidvān) must act like the unwise (avidvān) — not in ignorance, but in form and compassion.

• The ignorant act with attachment to results.

• The wise, though free from attachment, must still act similarly in appearance.

• Why? To guide society, to preserve dharma, and to set a relatable example.

If a spiritually realized person withdraws from action, others may misinterpret that as laziness or irresponsibility. Instead, the wise should participate fully, not to gain, but to inspire and uplift.

This is a principle of compassionate leadership — adapting to the level of others for their benefit.

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💡 Life Lessons / Practical Takeaways

• 🤝 True wisdom includes humility and relatability.

• 🧭 Guide others by example, not by isolation.

• 🔄 Don’t just speak truth—live it in a way others understand.

• 🧘 Detach internally, act externally.

• 🌱 Even the enlightened must work for the upliftment of society.

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🔚 Conclusion

This verse bridges the gap between inner detachment and outer engagement.

Krishna urges us to remember that knowledge alone isn’t enough—it must be used wisely to serve, inspire, and guide those who are still learning.

So even if you are beyond worldly desire, act like those who aren’t—but without bondage. This is true Karma Yoga—being in the world but not of it.

In the next verse, Krishna will continue this idea, cautioning against disturbing the understanding of those not yet ready for full renunciation.