Chapter 3 Verse 37
Karm Yog
श्री भगवानुवाच काम एष क्रोध एष रजोगुणसमुद्भवः। महाशनो महापाप्मा विद्ध्येनमिह वैरिणम्।।3.37।।
śhrī bhagavān uvācha kāma eṣha krodha eṣha rajo-guṇa-samudbhavaḥ mahāśhano mahā-pāpmā viddhyenam iha vairiṇam
Word Meanings
| śhri-bhagavān uvācha | the Supreme Lord said |
| kāmaḥ | desire |
| eṣhaḥ | this |
| krodhaḥ | wrath |
| eṣhaḥ | this |
| rajaḥ-guṇa | the mode of passion |
| samudbhavaḥ | born of |
| mahā-aśhanaḥ | all-devouring |
| mahā-pāpmā | greatly sinful |
| viddhi | know |
| enam | this |
| iha | in the material world |
| vairiṇam | the enemy |
Translation
The Blessed Lord said, "It is desire and it is anger, both of the quality of Rajas, all-devouring and all-sinful; know this as the foe here in this world."
Philosophical Significance
Core Meaning
This verse says desire and anger come from the energy of passion (Rajas). They are not harmless feelings but strong forces that eat away your peace, good judgment, and relationships. The text calls them "all-devouring" and "foes" because they lead you away from right action and inner calm.
Spiritually, desire and anger bind you to repeated action and suffering. When you identify with them, you act from impulse rather than wisdom. Seeing them as inner enemies helps you step back, observe them, and choose actions that bring freedom instead of more entanglement.
Life Application
- When you feel strong desire or anger, pause before you act: take a few deep breaths and name the feeling.
- Limit simple triggers: reduce habits that feed craving (mindless scrolling, comparison) and practice contentment with small daily gratitude.
- Turn energy into service or work: funnel restlessness into helpful tasks or steady practice instead of sudden reactions.
Reflection Question
What one desire or anger repeatedly leads you to make choices you later regret?