Chapter 7 Verse 11
Jñāna Vijñāna Yog
बलं बलवतां चाहं कामरागविवर्जितम्। धर्माविरुद्धो भूतेषु कामोऽस्मि भरतर्षभ।।7.11।।
balaṁ balavatāṁ chāhaṁ kāma-rāga-vivarjitam dharmāviruddho bhūteṣhu kāmo ’smi bharatarṣhabha
Word Meanings
| balam | strength |
| bala-vatām | of the strong |
| cha | and |
| aham | I |
| kāma | desire |
| rāga | passion |
| vivarjitam | devoid of |
| dharma-aviruddhaḥ | not conflicting with dharma |
| bhūteṣhu | in all beings |
| kāmaḥ | sexual activity |
| asmi | (I) am |
| bharata-ṛiṣhabha | Arjun, the best of the Bharats |
Translation
Of the strong, I am the strength devoid of desire and attachment, and in all beings, I am the desire in accordance with Dharma, O Arjuna.
Philosophical Significance
Core Meaning
Krishna shows two sides of the divine: as the inner power of the strong, he is pure strength without craving or attachment. This strength supports right action without being driven by selfish wants.
At the same time, in living beings he is the motivating desire that does not conflict with dharma. That means some desires can be wholesome—they push us toward duty, growth, and service rather than away from them.
The teaching asks us to hold both: draw on steady, desire-free strength, and let only those desires motivate you that align with your values and responsibilities.
Life Application
- Before you act, pause and center yourself (deep breath, short calm focus) to act from steady inner strength rather than impulse.
- Ask whether a desire supports your duties, relationships, and long-term good; if yes, use it as fuel, if not, let it go.
- Practice doing one task each day with purpose and without clutching the result—focus on commitment, not on reward.
Reflection Question
Is my motivation coming from calm duty or from restless attachment?