Verse 3.38 : Karma Yoga "Path of Selfless Action"
Verse 38 of 43
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The Translation
“As fire is covered by smoke, as a mirror is covered by dust, and as an embryo is covered by the womb, so is knowledge covered by this desire.”
Commentary & Insights
Krishna uses three beautiful metaphors to describe how desire covers and obscures our wisdom and discrimination, keeping us in ignorance.
Practical Application
1
If you are highly excited or desperate about a purchase or a decision today, postpone the choice for 24 hours to let the 'smoke' clear and evaluate it rationally.
Reflections & Notes
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Self-Reflection Prompts
- In your life, does your desire feel like smoke (easy to clear), dust (requires effort), or a womb (completely binding)?
- How does desire distort your perception of reality, preventing you from seeing things as they truly are?
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3.38
धूमेनाव्रियते वह्निर्यथादर्शो मलेन च
The three illustrations show that the obscuration of knowledge varies in intensity according to the dominance of Sattva, Rajas, or Tamas in the individual's mind.