Thus, knowing the higher beyond the intellect, steady the lower self by the higher self, and destroy that enemy in the form of desire, which is hard to conquer.
— Krishna
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Bhagavad Gita · 3.43
Hindi · हिन्दी
इन्द्रियोंको स्थूलशरीरसे पर श्रेष्ठ, सबल, प्रकाशक, व्यापक तथा सूक्ष्म कहते हैं । इन्द्रियोंसे पर मन है, मनसे भी पर बुद्धि है औऱ जो बुद्धिसे भी पर है वह काम है । इस तरह बुद्धिसे पर काम को जानकर अपने द्वारा अपनेआपको वशमें करके हे महाबाहो तू इस कामरूप दुर्जय शत्रुको मार डाल ॥
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Tap a word to focus on it.
एवम्thusबुद्धेःof the intellectपरम्higherबुद्ध्वाknowingसंस्तभ्यsteadyingआत्मानम्the lower selfआत्मनाby the higher selfजहिdestroyशत्रुम्enemyमहाबाहोmighty-armed oneकामरूपम्in the form of desireदुरासदम्hard to conquer
Read literallythus · of the intellect · higher · knowing · steadying · the lower self · by the higher self · destroy · enemy · mighty-armed one · in the form of desire · hard to conquer
Understanding the verse
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Steady the lower self with the higher, Krishna urges, and slay desire, the hard-to-conquer enemy.
Recognize that desire is not the highest force in you. Use your deeper discernment to steady yourself and overcome it.
02
On the battlefield
Context & commentary
Krishna has just mapped the chain from senses to mind to intellect, and now names the real enemy: desire. The teaching turns inward because the war begins inside.
03
In your life
What it looks like today
Trying to quit smoking, a man feels the craving after lunch every day. Another part of him, the one that remembers why he is quitting, can step in and decide.
The takeaway
“You are not helpless before desire; a steadier part of you can lead.”
Explore related themes: manas(49 verses), buddhi(26 verses), kama(23 verses)
Common questions
What does Bhagavad Gita 3.43 mean?
Recognize that desire is not the highest force in you. Use your deeper discernment to steady yourself and overcome it.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 3.43?
Krishna speaks this verse, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, in the chapter titled "Karma Yoga" (The Yoga of Action).
Which chapter of the Bhagavad Gita contains verse 3.43?
Verse 43 sits in Chapter 3 of the Bhagavad Gita — Karma Yoga, "The Yoga of Action". The chapter has 43 verses in total.
Why does Bhagavad Gita 3.43 matter today?
Trying to quit smoking, a man feels the craving after lunch every day. Another part of him, the one that remembers why he is quitting, can step in and decide.
Steady the lower self with the higher, Krishna urges, and slay desire, the hard-to-conquer enemy.
What this verse means
Recognize that desire is not the highest force in you. Use your deeper discernment to steady yourself and overcome it.
Context & commentary
Krishna has just mapped the chain from senses to mind to intellect, and now names the real enemy: desire. The teaching turns inward because the war begins inside.
What it looks like today
Trying to quit smoking, a man feels the craving after lunch every day. Another part of him, the one that remembers why he is quitting, can step in and decide.
“You are not helpless before desire; a steadier part of you can lead.”
Explore related themes: manas (49 verses), buddhi (26 verses), kama (23 verses)