Verse 3.37 : Karma Yoga "Path of Selfless Action"
Verse 37 of 43
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The Translation
“The Supreme Lord said: It is desire, it is anger, born of the mode of passion. It is all-devouring and highly sinful; know this to be the enemy here in this world.”
Commentary & Insights
Krishna answers Arjuna's question, identifying the twin enemies of humanity: desire (kāma) and anger (krodha), born of the Rajas mode, which are insatiable and destructive.
Practical Application
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When you feel a strong craving or a flash of anger today, label it immediately: 'This is Rajas trying to hijack my reason.' Take five deep breaths to let it settle.
Reflections & Notes
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Self-Reflection Prompts
- Have you ever noticed how your anger is almost always caused by a blocked desire?
- How can you distinguish between a healthy need and an insatiable desire (Kama)?
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3.37
श्रीभगवानुवाच
Shankara notes that desire is the worst enemy because it leads to all sins. It compels a person to perform actions that bring misery, and it must be destroyed to attain liberation.