Karma Yoga · Verse 16

एवं प्रवर्तितं चक्रं नानुवर्तयतीह यः | अघायुरिन्द्रियारामो मोघं पार्थ स जीवति

evaṃ pravartitaṃ cakraṃ nānvartayatīha yaḥ | aghāyur indriyārāmo moghaṃ pārtha sa jīvati

Here whoever does not follow this cycle thus set in motion, living in sin and delighting the senses, oh Pṛthā, lives in vain.

The cakra — wheel, cycle — is the cosmic order of sacrifice. Whoever refuses to participate becomes aghāyu — “of sinful life” or “anti-vital”.

Indriyārāma — “who enjoys the senses” — describes the superficial materialist. Moghaṃ jīvati — “lives in vain” — is severe condemnation: life without reciprocity is existential waste. Pṛthā is Arjuna’s mother’s name, reminding him of his lineage and responsibility.