Verse 3.40

Sanskrit

इन्द्रियाणि मनो बुद्धिरस्याधिष्ठानमुच्यते। एतैर्विमोहयत्येष ज्ञानमावृत्य देहिनम्।।

Transliteration (IAST)

indriyāṇi mano buddhir asyādhiṣṭhānam ucyate | etair vimohayaty eṣa jñānam āvṛtya dehinam ||

Word-by-Word Meanings

Translation

The senses, mind, and intellect are said to be the seat of desire. Through these, desire deludes the embodied soul by covering its knowledge.

Commentary

Krishna maps the anatomy of desire's operation. It lodges in the senses, mind, and intellect - progressively subtler levels of the psyche. By occupying these instruments of knowledge, desire prevents clear perception of reality. This understanding is essential for the strategy of overcoming desire presented in the next verses.

Themes

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