|| 3.29 ||
प्रकृतेर्गुणसम्मूढाः सज्जन्ते गुणकर्मसु। तानकृत्स्नविदो मन्दान्कृत्स्नविन्न विचालयेत्।।
prakṛter guṇa-sammūḍhāḥ sajjante guṇa-karmasu tān akṛtsna-vido mandān kṛtsna-vin na vicālayet
Word by Word
prakṛteḥ (of material nature) guṇa-sammūḍhāḥ (bewildered by the modes) sajjante (they become engaged) guṇa-karmasu (in material activities) tān (those) akṛtsna-vidaḥ (persons with poor knowledge) mandān (lazy/foolish) kṛtsna-vit (one who knows the whole truth) na (not) vicālayet (should disturb)
Translation
Bewildered by the modes of material nature, the ignorant fully engage themselves in material activities and become attached. But the wise should not unsettle them, although these duties are inferior due to the performers’ lack of knowledge.
Meaning
Kṛṣṇa repeats the need for patience with those who are not yet spiritually awake. People who are bewildered by the modes of nature are naturally attached to material work and enjoyment. They think that this world is all there is.
A person who knows the whole truth (‘kṛtsna-vit’) should not disturb these ‘mandān’, or less intelligent people. If you forcibly take away their toys before they have a better interest, they will only become miserable and confused. You shouldn’t shatter their worldview without giving them a replacement.
The wise person acts as a gentle guide. They stay in society, perform their work perfectly, and slowly demonstrate through their character that there is something higher than material gain. Spiritual education is a gradual process of waking up, not a violent disruption of one’s current life.