Gita : Ch-3. Slo-38.

Very important Slokam:


Srimad Bhagavad-Gita :


Chapter-3. ( Karma-yogam )


Slokam-38. ( As fire is covered by smoke, as a mirror is covered by dust, or as the embryo is covered by the womb, similarly, the living entity ( Jnanam/ Knowledge ) is covered by  this lust. )



Dhumenavriyate  vahniahyathadharso  malena  ca,


Yatholbenavrto  garbhahstatha  tenedamavrtam.

dhumena  vahniah  =  by  smoke,   fire;

malena  adharsah  ca  =  also  by  dust,  mirror;

yatha  avriyate  =  just  as  covered;

ulbena  garbhah  =   by  womb,  embryo;  

yatha  avratah  =  just  as  enveloped;

tatha  tena   =   likewise  by  lust;

idham  avrtam  =  this  (Jnanam/Knowledge)  is  hidden  (covered).

Lord Krishna is giving the three examples to indicate the varying degrees of kama or lust and that everyone is immersed in kama in some way that this is the situation in the world. How kama envelopes the mind and the intellect is coming next.

The inimical nature of kama or lust is being illustrated here by Lord Krishna giving three clear examples, concluding that spiritual knowledge is completely covered by kama as well. 

The atma or soul is not perceivable by a human being. Why is this so? It is because the atma is enveloped within and when the senses are excited kama or lust manifests itself explosively completely covering the atma and that is why kama is such a formidable adversary. Kama so thickly covers the atma that it cannot be perceived and Lord Krishna gives three examples to emphasise this.

Lord Krishna being more explicit here affirms that spiritual knowledge relating to one’s best interests is neutralised by this eternal, insatiable enemy known as kama or lust. 

To be continued  ....