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. Hover 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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It shifts the response from suppressing desire to leading with discernment.
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
On the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Arjuna is still frozen. 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
Why this verse still matters
You open the app to check one message and end up scrolling for an hour. The urge feels automatic, but another part of you can still take the wheel.
The takeaway
“You are not helpless before desire; a steadier part of you can lead.”
It shifts the response from suppressing desire to leading with discernment.
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
On the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Arjuna is still frozen. 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.
Why this verse still matters
You open the app to check one message and end up scrolling for an hour. The urge feels automatic, but another part of you can still take the wheel.
“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)