Bhagvad Gita - Chapter: 3 Karma Yogah

धूमेनाव्रियते वह्निर्यथादर्शो मलेन च |
यथोल्बेनावृतो गर्भस्तथा तेनेदमावृतम् ||38||

As fire is covered by smoke, a mirror by dust, or a fetus by the womb, so is knowledge covered by it.

Dhūmena: By smoke.
Adarśaḥ: Mirror or reflection.
Ulbena: Covering or concealment.

Krishna explains that desire clouds wisdom, much like smoke obscures fire. This analogy highlights the distorting effect of unchecked desires on clarity, emphasizing the need for self-control to uncover true insight.

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आवृतं ज्ञानमेतेन ज्ञानिनो नित्यवैरिणा |
कामरूपेण कौन्तेय दुष्पूरेणानलेन च ||39||

O son of Kunti, knowledge is covered by this eternal enemy of the wise, in the form of insatiable desire, which is like fire.

Nityavairiṇā: Eternal enemy.
Kāmarūpeṇa: In the form of desire.
Kaunteya: Son of Kunti (Arjuna).

Krishna describes desire as an unquenchable fire, eternally hungry and destructive. This image warns Arjuna of the dangers of unchecked desires, portraying them as barriers to true wisdom and self-awareness.

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इन्द्रियाणि मनो बुद्धिरस्याधिष्ठानमुच्यते |
एतैर्विमोहयत्येष ज्ञानमावृत्य देहिनम् ||40||

The senses, the mind, and the intellect are said to be its abode; through these, it deludes the embodied soul, covering his knowledge.

Dehinam: Embodied soul.
Āvṛtya: Covering or enveloping.
Vimohayati: Deludes or confuses.

Desire, Krishna says, operates through the senses, mind, and intellect, clouding judgment. This comprehensive view of desire’s impact highlights the need for vigilance in guarding these faculties to prevent inner conflict.

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तस्मात्त्वमिन्द्रियाण्यादौ नियम्य भरतर्षभ |
पाप्मानं प्रजहि ह्येनं ज्ञानविज्ञाननाशनम् ||41||

Therefore, O best of the Bharatas, control the senses first and slay this sinful thing, the destroyer of knowledge and realization.

Bharatarṣabha: O best of the Bharatas.
Jñānavijñāna: Knowledge and realization.
Pāpmānaṁ: Sinful entity.

Krishna advises Arjuna to conquer desire by first controlling the senses. He portrays discipline as essential to spiritual progress, emphasizing that self-mastery begins with curbing sensory impulses.

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Karma Yogah - The senses are superior to the body, the mind is superior to the senses, and the intellect is superior to the mind; the soul is superior to the intellect.

इन्द्रियाणि पराण्याहुरिन्द्रियेभ्य: परं मन: |
मनसस्तु परा बुद्धिर्यो बुद्धे: परतस्तु स: ||42||

The senses are superior to the body, the mind is superior to the senses, and the intellect is superior to the mind; the soul is superior to the intellect.

Parāṇi: Superior or transcendent.
Indriya: Senses or faculties.
Buddheḥ: Intellect or understanding.

Krishna teaches a hierarchy of control, where intellect surpasses mind and senses, and self transcends intellect. This structure guides Arjuna to prioritize spiritual wisdom over physical and mental impulses.

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Karma Yogah - Thus knowing the soul to be transcendental to material intelligence, subdue the mind by the intellect and conquer this formidable enemy, desire.

एवं बुद्धे: परं बुद्ध्वा संस्तभ्यात्मानमात्मना |
जहि शत्रुं महाबाहो कामरूपं दुरासदम् ||43||

Thus knowing the soul to be transcendental to material intelligence, subdue the mind by the intellect and conquer this formidable enemy, desire.

Durāsadam: Formidable or difficult to overcome.
Ātmānam: The self or soul.
Mahābāho: O mighty-armed one.

Krishna advises Arjuna to recognize the self as superior to desires, urging him to conquer lust and anger. By mastering these formidable enemies, Arjuna can achieve liberation, symbolizing the ultimate victory of spirit over passion.

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Chapter 4