Quiz · 3.1–3.8
Two stances
Cover the answer. Read the Devanagari of the verse before you open it.
1
In 3.1, what case is karmaṇaḥ (कर्मणः), and what question does that case answer beside jyāyasī (ज्यायसी)?
Answer
Ablative singular of karman (कर्मन्). A comparative takes the ablative for the thing it exceeds, so karmaṇaḥ (कर्मणः) answers "than action." A genitive of karman (कर्मन्) would look the same. jyāyasī (ज्यायसी) is what decides it. The buddhi is held to be superior to action.
2
puruṣaḥ (पुरुषः) stands in front of aśnute (अश्नुते) in 3.4. What is recited, and which sandhi makes it?
Answer
puruṣo 'śnute (पुरुषोऽश्नुते). अः + अ aḥ + a becomes o (ओ), and the a (अ) of aśnute (अश्नुते) drops. The ऽ is the place where that a (अ) was. Read puruṣaḥ aśnute (पुरुषः अश्नुते) when you split.
3
What does 3.8 tell him, in one sentence?
Answer
Do the action appointed for you: action is better than inaction, and even the journey of your body would not succeed from doing nothing.
4
Where does 3.1–3.8 sit in the talk between Arjuna (अर्जुन) and Kṛṣṇa (कृष्ण)?
Answer
Arjuna (अर्जुन) asks why he is yoked to terrible action if the buddhi is held to be higher, and he asks for the one thing by which he may reach the good. Kṛṣṇa (कृष्ण) says a twofold niṣṭhā (निष्ठा) was taught, by jñānayoga (ज्ञानयोग) and by karmayoga (कर्मयोग), then that not-beginning does not free anyone and that no one stands actionless even for a moment. The stretch ends by telling him to do the action that is his.
5
Cover 3.3 and 3.8. Which two instrumentals name the stances, and which word in the command fails the stretch if it is said as "any action you like"?
Answer
jñānayogena (ज्ञानयोगेन) for the Sāṅkhyas (साङ्ख्य), and karmayogena (कर्मयोगेन) for the yogins. The command is नियतम् कुरु कर्म त्वम् niyataṃ kuru karma tvam. If niyatam (नियतम्) comes out as an action he may choose, he does not have the stretch.