3. Selfless Service

Karm Yog

BG 3.39

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

आवृतं ज्ञानमेतेन ज्ञानिनो नित्यवैरिणा
कामरूपेण कौन्तेय दुष्पूरेणानलेन च

  • āvṛitaṁ — covered

  • jñānam — knowledge

  • etena — by this

  • jñānino — of the wise

  • nitya-vairiṇā — by the perpetual enemy

    • nitya

    • vairiṇā

  • kāma-rūpeṇa — in the form of desires

    • kāma

    • rūpeṇa

  • kaunteya — Arjuna

  • duṣhpūreṇānalena — insatiable like fire

    • duṣhpūreṇa — insatiable

    • analena — like fire

  • cha — and

...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 39