Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 3 · Karma Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 3.39 आवृतं ज्ञानमेतेन ज्ञानिनो नित्यवैरिणा
श्लोक 3.39
आवृतं ज्ञानमेतेन ज्ञानिनो नित्यवैरिणा ।
कामरूपेण कौन्तेय दुष्पूरेणानलेन च ॥
āvṛtaṃ jñānametena jñānino nityavairiṇā |
kāmarūpeṇa kaunteya duṣpūreṇānalena ca ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
हे कुन्तीपुत्र! ज्ञानियों के इस नित्य शत्रु, कामना-रूपी और अग्नि के समान कभी न भरने वाले काम ने ज्ञान को ढक रखा है।
Meaning in English
O son of Kunti, wisdom is veiled by this constant enemy of the wise, which takes the form of desire and is as hard to satisfy as fire.
Bhagavad Gita 3.39 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| आवृतम् | āvṛtam | covered |
| ज्ञानम् | jñānam | knowledge |
| एतेन | etena | by this |
| ज्ञानिनः | jñāninaḥ | of the wise |
| नित्यवैरिणा | nitya-vairiṇā | by the constant enemy |
| कामरूपेण | kāma-rūpeṇa | in the form of desire |
| कौन्तेय | kaunteya | O son of Kunti |
| दुष्पूरेण | duṣpūreṇa | insatiable, hard to fill |
| अनलेन | analena | by fire |
| च | ca | and |
Explanation
O son of Kunti, knowledge is covered by this constant enemy of the wise, in the form of desire, which is as insatiable as fire.
Desire is called the constant enemy of the wise because they recognise it as harmful even while it is felt, while the ignorant see it as a friend until it brings suffering, as Shankara explains. Fire is the classic image of something that grows the more it is fed; Manu makes a similar comparison with ghee poured on fire. Ramanuja too stresses that desire can never be satisfied by fulfilment.
भावार्थ
हे कौन्तेय! इस अग्नि के समान कभी तृप्त न होने वाले कामरूप ज्ञानियों के नित्य शत्रु के द्वारा मनुष्य का ज्ञान ढका रहता है।
Living it today
Feeding a craving rarely ends it; it usually grows. Next time, try waiting it out and see how it fades.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 3.39?
O son of Kunti, knowledge is covered by this constant enemy of the wise, in the form of desire, which is as insatiable as fire.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 3.39?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 3 (Karma Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 3.39 in daily life?
Feeding a craving rarely ends it; it usually grows. Next time, try waiting it out and see how it fades.
Reflected on verse 3.39?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.