Verse 3.43
Speaker: Krishna
Sanskrit
एवं बुद्धेः परं बुद्ध्वा संस्तभ्यात्मानमात्मना। जहि शत्रुं महाबाहो कामरूपं दुरासदम्।।
Transliteration (IAST)
evaṁ buddheḥ paraṁ buddhvā saṁstabhyātmānam ātmanā | jahi śatruṁ mahā-bāho kāma-rūpaṁ durāsadam ||
Word-by-Word Meanings
बुद्धेः परम्-superior to the intellect
बुद्ध्वा-knowing
संस्तभ्य-steadying
आत्मानम्-the self/mind
आत्मना-by the Self
जहि-slay
शत्रुम्-the enemy
कामरूपम्-in the form of desire
Translation
Thus knowing the Self to be superior to the intellect, and steadying the mind with the Self, O mighty-armed one, slay the enemy in the form of desire, which is difficult to overcome.
Commentary
The chapter concludes with Krishna's final instruction: realize the Self that transcends even the intellect, stabilize the mind in that awareness, and from that vantage point, conquer desire. This verse synthesizes the entire chapter - knowledge of the Self empowers selfless action, which is the essence of Karma Yoga.
Themes
atmankarmayogajnana