Bhagavad Gita · Verse 7.11
Chapter 7: Jnana Vijnana Yoga (ज्ञानविज्ञानयोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
बलं बलवतां चाहं कामरागविवर्जितम् । धर्माविरुद्धो भूतेषु कामोऽस्मि भरतर्षभ ॥११॥
balaṃ balavatāṃ cāhaṃ kāmarāgavivarjitam | dharmāviruddho bhūteṣu kāmo'smi bharatarṣabha ||11||
Complete Shloka Translation
I am the strength of the strong, free from desire and attachment. O best of the Bharatas, I am desire in beings that does not oppose dharma.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| बलम् | balam | strength |
| धर्माविरुद्धः | dharmāviruddhaḥ | not opposed to dharma |
| बलं | balaṃ | [term] in context of I am the strength of the stron... |
| बलवतां | balavatāṃ | [term] in context of I am the strength of the stron... |
| चाहं | cāhaṃ | [term] in context of I am the strength of the stron... |
| कामरागविवर्जितम् | kāmarāgavivarjitam | [term] in context of I am the strength of the stron... |
| धर्माविरुद्धो | dharmāviruddho | [term] in context of I am the strength of the stron... |
| भूतेषु | bhūteṣu | [term] in context of I am the strength of the stron... |
| कामोऽस्मि | kāmo'smi | [term] in context of I am the strength of the stron... |
| भरतर्षभ | bharatarṣabha | [term] in context of I am the strength of the stron... |
| ११ | bharatarṣabha | [term] in context of I am the strength of the stron... |
strength
not opposed to dharma
[term] in context of I am the strength of the stron...
[term] in context of I am the strength of the stron...
[term] in context of I am the strength of the stron...
[term] in context of I am the strength of the stron...
[term] in context of I am the strength of the stron...
[term] in context of I am the strength of the stron...
[term] in context of I am the strength of the stron...
[term] in context of I am the strength of the stron...
[term] in context of I am the strength of the stron...
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
The first line distinguishes strength from craving and attachment. The second explicitly recognizes desire consistent with dharma, so the verse does not condemn every desire.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Let strength serve what is right, and examine the direction of your desires."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
Which desire can you examine against your sense of dharma?
Modern Life Implementation (Practical Real-Life Application)
Apply this verse to look beneath external appearances in your daily life: see the underlying divine spark and interconnectedness in everyone, and seek refuge in timeless values rather than chasing fleeting superficial illusions.