Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 3 · Karma Yoga

Bhagavad Gita 3.37 काम एष क्रोध एष रजोगुणसमुद्भवः

Sri Krishna Chapter 3, Verse 37 With word-by-word notes

श्लोक 3.37

श्रीभगवानुवाच ।
काम एष क्रोध एष रजोगुणसमुद्भवः ।
महाशनो महापाप्मा विद्ध्येनमिह वैरिणम् ॥

śrībhagavānuvāca |
kāma eṣa krodha eṣa rajoguṇasamudbhavaḥ |
mahāśano mahāpāpmā viddhyenamiha vairiṇam ||

हिन्दी अर्थ

श्रीभगवान ने कहा: रजोगुण से उत्पन्न यह काम ही क्रोध है। यह कभी तृप्त न होने वाला और महापापी है। इसे ही इस संसार में अपना शत्रु जानो।

Meaning in English

The Blessed Lord said: It is desire, it is anger, born of the quality of passion (rajas). It is insatiable and greatly sinful. Know it to be the enemy here.

Bhagavad Gita 3.37 — word by word

WordTransliterationMeaning
कामः एषःkāmaḥ eṣaḥit is desire
क्रोधः एषःkrodhaḥ eṣaḥit is anger
रजोगुणसमुद्भवःrajo-guṇa-samudbhavaḥborn of the quality of rajas
महाशनःmahāśanaḥall-devouring
महापाप्माmahā-pāpmāgreatly sinful
विद्धिviddhiknow
एनम्enamthis
इहihahere
वैरिणम्vairiṇamto be the enemy

Explanation

It is desire, it is anger, born of the quality of rajas — all-devouring and greatly sinful. Know this to be the enemy here.

Arjuna had asked what drives a person to do wrong even against their will (3.36). Krishna names the culprit: desire, which turns into anger when blocked. It is never satisfied — "all-devouring" — and so must be recognised as the real enemy.

भावार्थ

श्री भगवान ने कहा — रजोगुण से उत्पन्न यह काम ही क्रोध है; यह कभी तृप्त न होने वाला और महापापी है, इसे ही यहाँ शत्रु जानो।

Living it today

When you find yourself doing what you know is wrong, look for the desire behind it — that is the enemy to face.

Frequently asked questions

What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 3.37?

It is desire, it is anger, born of the quality of rajas — all-devouring and greatly sinful. Know this to be the enemy here.

Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 3.37?

Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 3 (Karma Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.

How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 3.37 in daily life?

When you find yourself doing what you know is wrong, look for the desire behind it — that is the enemy to face.

Reflected on verse 3.37?

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