Chapter 3, Verse 39
आवृतं ज्ञानमेतेन ज्ञानिनो नित्यवैरिणा | कामरूपेण कौन्तेय दुष्पूरेणानलेन च ॥39॥
āvṛtaṁ jñānam etena jñānino nitya-vairiṇā | kāma-rūpeṇa kaunteya duṣpūreṇānalena ca ||
"O son of Kunti, wisdom is veiled by this eternal enemy of the wise in the form of desire, which is as insatiable as fire."
Key Insight:
The Bhagavad Gita teaches us through 3.39 that true peace is found when we align our actions with Dharma.
The Bhagavad Gita teaches us through 3.39 that true peace is found when we align our actions with Dharma.
Detailed Meaning
Lord Krishna explains that 'kāma' (desire/lust) is not a temporary visitor but a 'nitya-vairi' (eternal enemy). It acts as a covering (āvṛtam) over one's inherent wisdom (jñānam). He uses the metaphor of 'anala' (fire) to describe desire—just as fire grows the more fuel you add, desire is 'duṣpūreṇa' (impossible to satisfy). While the ignorant may mistake desire for a friend or a source of pleasure, the wise recognize it as a constant foe that obscures their true nature and leads to misery.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core message of Gita 3.39?
O son of Kunti, wisdom is veiled by this eternal enemy of the wise in the form of desire, which is as insatiable as fire.