If you are on a compact domain $\Omega$in $\mathbb{R}^n$ you need to impose some elliptic boundary conditions or it is difficult to make predictions. Assume for simlicity that $f$ satisfies the Dirichlet boundary conditions, i.e., it vanishes on the boundary of $\Omega$. Then $$\lambda_3\Vert f\Vert_{L^\infty}=\sup_{x\in\Omega} |D_3f(x)| \leq C\lambda^{\frac{3}{2}} \Vert f\Vert_{L^2}\leq C'\lambda^{\frac{3}{2}} \Vert f\Vert_{L^\infty}$$ This gives you $$\lambda_3\leq C' \lambda^{\frac{3}{2}}. $$ **Edit.** In my earlier post I misquoted the result I used. I have fixed the errors. For details see my source X. Bin: *Derivatives of the spectral function and Sobolev norms of eigenfunctions on a closed Riemann manifold*, Annal. Glob. Annalysis, vol. 26(2004), 231-252, Theorem 1.2.