Chapter 7 · Jnana Vijnana Yoga - The Yoga of Knowledge and WisdomKrishna
Verse 11
श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता अध्याय 7, श्लोक 11
Sanskrit Shloka (श्लोक)
बलं बलवतां चाहं कामरागविवर्जितम्।
धर्माविरुद्धो भूतेषु कामोऽस्मि भरतर्षभ॥
Transliteration
Balam balavatam cha-aham kama-raga-vivarjitam
Dharma-aviruddho bhuteshu kamo'smi bharatarshabha
Word-by-Word Meaning (अन्वय)
बलम्balamstrength
बलवताम्balavatamof the strong
अहम्ahamI am
कामरागविवर्जितम्kama-raga-vivarjitamfree from desire and attachment
धर्माविरुद्धःdharma-aviruddhahnot opposed to dharma
भूतेषुbhuteshuin beings
कामःkamahdesire
भरतर्षभbharatarshabhaO best of Bharatas
Hindi Translation (हिन्दी अर्थ)
हे भरतश्रेष्ठ! बलवानों का काम और राग से रहित बल मैं हूँ और प्राणियों में धर्म के अविरुद्ध काम (इच्छा) मैं हूँ।
English Translation
I am the strength of the strong, devoid of desire and attachment. I am the desire in beings that is not opposed to dharma, O best of Bharatas.
Commentary (टीका)
Krishna clarifies that He represents strength in its purest form — free from selfish desire and attachment. Similarly, He is righteous desire that aligns with dharma. This nuanced teaching affirms that desire itself is not evil; when channeled righteously, it is a divine expression.