3. Selfless Service

Karm Yog

BG 3.40

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

इन्द्रियाणि मनो बुद्धिरस्याधिष्ठानमुच्यते
एतैर्विमोहयत्येष ज्ञानमावृत्य देहिनम्

  • indriyāṇi — the senses

  • mano — the mind

  • buddhir — the intellect

  • asyādhiṣhṭhānam — of this dwelling place

    • asya — of this

    • adhiṣhṭhānam — dwelling place

  • uchyate — are said to be

  • etair — by these

  • vimohayatyeṣha — deludes this

    • vimohayati — bewilders

    • eṣhaḥ — this

  • jñānam — knowledge

  • āvṛitya — clouds

  • dehinam — the embodied soul

...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]

Similar verses

Chapter 3, Verse 40