Bhagavad-Gita Chapter 3 Questions

1.What are the two classes of men who try to realize the self? (3.3)

Some are inclined to understand the self by empirical, philosophical

speculation, and others by devotional service.

2.What is Karma Yoga? (3.3)

Performing one’s prescribed duty all the while depending entirely on

the Supreme (or more specifically, on Kṛiṣhṇa) is call Karma Yoga of
buddhi yoga. Working by the principles of buddhi-yoga, or Kṛiṣhṇa
consciousness, one can be relieved from the bonds of action.

3.As per chapter 3, who is called as a pretender? (3.6).

One who restrains the senses of action but whose mind dwells on
sense objects certainly deludes himself and is called a pretender.

4.Who is eligible to accept the renounced order of life or sanyasa? (3.4)

The renounced order of life can be accepted when one has been
purified by the discharge of the prescribed form of duties which are
laid down just to purify the hearts of materialistic men. Without
purification, one cannot attain success by abruptly adopting the
fourth order of life (sannyāsa). Without purification of
heart, sannyāsa is simply a disturbance to the social order.

5.What is the benefit of working for Krishna or in other words

performing Karma Yoga? (3.9,3.19)

Any other work done in this material world will be a cause of

bondage, for both good and evil work have their reactions, and any
 reaction binds the performer. Therefore, one has to work in Kṛiṣhṇa
consciousness to satisfy Kṛiṣhṇa (or Viṣṇu); and while performing
such activities one is in a liberated stage.

6.What is the reason behind material creation? (3.10)

The material creation by the Lord of creatures (Viṣṇu) is a chance

offered to the conditioned souls to come back home – back to
Godhead. All living entities within the material creation are
conditioned by material nature because of their forgetfulness of their
relationship to Viṣṇu, or Kṛiṣhṇa, the Supreme Personality of
Godhead.

7.What is the meaning of “Demigod”? (3.11-12,3.14)

The demigods are empowered administrators of material affairs. The

supply of air, light, water and all other benedictions for maintaining
the body and soul of every living entity is entrusted to the demigods,
who are innumerable assistants in different parts of the body of the
Supreme Personality of Godhead. The demigods are authorized
supplying agents on behalf of the Supreme Personality of Godhead,
Viṣṇu.

8. How does a materially conditioned soul engage in action leading to

reaction? (3.27)

The spirit soul bewildered by the influence of false ego thinks himself
the doer of activities that are in actuality carried out by the three
modes of material nature.

9) By what is one impelled to do sinful acts, even unwillingly, as if

engaged by force? (3.36-37)
When a living entity comes in contact with the material creation, his
eternal love for Kṛiṣhṇa is transformed into lust, in association with
the mode of passion. Or, in other words, the sense of love of God
becomes transformed into lust, as milk in contact with sour tamarind
is transformed into yogurt.

10. What are the different degrees of lust? (3.38)

There are three degrees of covering of the living entity by which his
pure consciousness is obscured.
This covering is but lust under different manifestations like smoke in
the fire, dust on the mirror, and the womb about the embryo.

11. What are the sitting places of lust? (3.40)

The senses, the mind and the intelligence are the sitting places of
this lust