Chapter 3, Verse 37
Karma Yoga — Sanskrit shloka, transliteration, word meanings, English translation, and commentary.
Original Sanskrit verse
Transliteration
Word meanings
śhri-bhagavān uvācha—the Supreme Lord said; kāmaḥ—desire; eṣhaḥ—this; krodhaḥ—wrath; eṣhaḥ—this; rajaḥ-guṇa—the mode of passion; samudbhavaḥ—born of; mahā-aśhanaḥ—all-devouring; mahā-pāpmā—greatly sinful; viddhi—know; enam—this; iha—in the material world; vairiṇam—the enemy
English translation
The Blessed Lord said, "It is desire and it is anger, both of the quality of Rajas, all-devouring and all-sinful; know this as the foe here in this world."
— Swami Sivananda
Listen to Shloka 3.37
Commentary
Bhagavan Bhaga means the six attributes; viz.; Jnana (knowledge); Vairagya (dispassion); Kirti (fame); Aishvarya (divine manifestations and excellences); Sri (wealth); and Bala (might). He who possesses these six attributes and who has a perfect knowledge of the origin and the end of the universe is Bhagavan or the Lord. The cause of all sin and wrong action in this world is desire. Anger is desire itself. When a desire is not gratified; the man becomes angry against those who stand as obstacles on the path of fulfilment. The desire is born of the ality of Rajas. When desire arises; it generates Rajas and urges the man to work in order to possess the object. Therefore; know that this desire is mans foe on this earth. (Cf. XVI.21).
Commentary by Swami Sivananda
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