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← Chapter 7: The Yoga of Knowledge and Wisdom

Verse 7.11

Speaker: Krishna

Sanskrit

बलं बलवतां चाहं कामरागविवर्जितम् | धर्माविरुद्धो भूतेषु कामोऽस्मि भरतर्षभ ||११||

Transliteration (IAST)

balaṁ balavatāṁ cāhaṁ kāmarāgavivarjitam | dharmāviruddho bhūteṣu kāmo'smi bharatarṣabha ||11||

Word-by-Word Meanings

बलम्-strength
बलवताम्-of the strong
कामरागविवर्जितम्-free from desire and attachment
धर्माविरुद्धः-not opposed to dharma
कामः-desire

Translation

I am the strength of the strong, devoid of desire and attachment. I am desire in beings that is not contrary to dharma, O best of the Bharatas.

Commentary

Krishna qualifies His identification with strength and desire - He is strength free from selfish craving, and desire that accords with righteousness. This nuanced teaching prevents misuse of the doctrine of divine immanence to justify any desire or force.

Themes

dharmajnana