3. Selfless Service

Karm Yog

BG 3.38

As fire is shrouded in smoke, a mirror covered by dust, and a fetus enveloped by the womb, so too is the universe enveloped by desire.

धूमेनाव्रियते वह्निर्यथाऽऽदर्शो मलेन च
यथोल्बेनावृतो गर्भस्तथा तेनेदमावृतम्

  • dhūmenāvriyate — covered by smoke

    • dhūmena — by smoke

    • āvriyate — is covered

  • vahnir — fire

  • yathādarśho — just as a mirror

    • yathā — just as

    • ādarśhaḥ — mirror

  • malena — by dust

  • cha — also

  • yatholbenāvṛito — just as is covered by the womb

    • yathā — just as

    • ulbena — by the womb

    • āvṛitaḥ — is covered

  • garbhas — embryo

  • tathā — similarly

  • tenedam — this by that

    • tena — by that (desire)

    • idam — this

  • āvṛitam — is covered

...3.36

Krishna said: It is desire and it is anger, born of passion. It consumes and corrupts all things. Know this to be the enemy here.

[37]

As fire is shrouded in smoke, a mirror covered by dust, and a fetus enveloped by the womb, so too is the universe enveloped by desire.

[38]

Wisdom is concealed by desire - it is the enemy of the wise, insatiable like fire.

[39]

The senses, mind, and intellect are its instruments, by which it deludes the soul and conceals its wisdom.

[40]

Therefore, first control your senses and then slay this sinful thing which destroys knowledge and insight.

[41]

It is said that the senses are powerful, but beyond the senses is the mind. Beyond the mind is the intellect, and beyond the intellect is the supreme self.

[42]

Thus, knowing that which is higher than the intellect, and restraining the mind in Karma Yoga, slay this enemy who takes the form of desire - one who is difficult to overcome.

[43]

Chapter 3, Verse 38