Bhagavad Gita · Verse 3.37
Chapter 3: Karma Yoga (कर्मयोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
काम एष क्रोध एष रजोगुणसमुद्भवः । महाशनो महापाप्मा विद्ध्येनमिह वैरिणम् ॥३७॥
kāma eṣa krodha eṣa rajoguṇasamudbhavaḥ | mahāśano mahāpāpmā viddhyenamiha vairiṇam ||37||
Complete Shloka Translation
The Lord said: It is desire; it is anger, arising from rajas, endlessly consuming and greatly harmful. Know this as the enemy here.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| कामः एषः | kāmaḥ eṣaḥ | it is this selfish craving / desire |
| क्रोधः एषः | krodhaḥ eṣaḥ | it is this wrath / anger |
| रजो-गुण-समुद्भवः | rajo-guṇa-samudbhavaḥ | arising from the mode of passion (Rajas) |
| महाशनः | mahāśanaḥ | all-devouring / insatiable |
| महापाप्मा | mahā-pāpmā | great sinner / source of evil |
| विद्धि | viddhi | know |
| एनम् | enam | this |
| इह | iha | in this world |
| वैरिणम् | vairiṇam | the greatest enemy |
it is this selfish craving / desire
it is this wrath / anger
arising from the mode of passion (Rajas)
all-devouring / insatiable
great sinner / source of evil
know
this
in this world
the greatest enemy
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
Desire and anger are closely connected in the argument, as in 2.62. Rajas names a quality of restless activity; the enemy metaphor identifies the force that obstructs discernment.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Krishna locates the struggle in consuming desire and anger."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
What craving tends to become anger when it meets resistance?
Modern Life Implementation (Practical Real-Life Application)
Apply this verse in your daily career and work life: discharge your responsibilities wholeheartedly as an act of service and social welfare, freeing your mind from selfish anxiety and burnout.