Topic

Lust

9 verses from the Bhagavad Gita on lust. Explore teachings across 3 chapters.

All Verses

Chapter 2 • Verse 62 →The Yoga of Knowledge
Dhyayato vishayan pumsah sangas tesupajayate, sangat sanjayate kamah kamat krodho 'bhijayate

While contemplating the objects of the senses, a person develops attachment for them, and from such attachment lust develops, and from lust anger arises.

  • •How desire leads to anger
  • •The chain of mental degradation
  • •Importance of controlling thoughts
desireangerattachmentmind control
Chapter 3 • Verse 37 →The Yoga of Action
Shri bhagavan uvaca: Kama esha krodha esha rajo-guna-samudbhavah, mahasano maha-papma viddhy enam iha vairinam

The Supreme Lord said: It is lust and anger, born of the mode of passion, that compel one to sin. They are the all-devouring, sinful enemies in this world.

  • •Lust and anger are the primary enemies
  • •They arise from passion and agitation
  • •Recognize them as obstacles to growth
angerpassionobstaclesenemies within
Chapter 3 • Verse 37 →The Yoga of Action
Shri bhagavan uvaca: Kama esha krodha esha rajo-guna-samudbhavah, mahasano maha-papma viddhy enam iha vairinam

The Supreme Lord said: It is lust and anger, born of the mode of passion, that compel one to sin. They are the all-devouring, sinful enemies in this world.

  • •Lust and anger are the primary enemies
  • •They arise from passion and agitation
  • •Recognize them as obstacles to growth
angerpassionobstaclesenemies within
Chapter 3 • Verse 37 →The Yoga of Action
Sri-bhagavan uvaca: Kama esha krodha esha rajo-guna-samudbhavah, mahasano maha-papma viddhy enam iha vairinam

The Supreme Lord said: It is lust only, Arjuna, which is born of contact with the mode of passion and later transformed into wrath, and which is the all-devouring sinful enemy of this world.

  • •Lust is the primary enemy
  • •Desire transforms into anger
  • •Root cause of sinful behavior
desireangerenemypassion
Chapter 3 • Verse 38 →The Yoga of Action
Dhumenavriyate vahnir yathadarso malena ca, yatholbenavrto garbhas tatha tenedam avritam

As fire is covered by smoke, as a mirror by dust, and as an embryo is covered by the womb, similarly one's knowledge is covered by this lust.

  • •Lust obscures true knowledge
  • •Different degrees of covering
  • •Clearing the mind of desire
knowledgeobscurationclaritydesire
Chapter 3 • Verse 43 →The Yoga of Action
Evam buddheh param buddhva samstabhyatmanam atmana, jahi shatrum maha-baho kama-rupam durasadam

Thus knowing the soul to be superior to the material intellect, O mighty-armed Arjuna, subdue the self by the self and conquer lust, the formidable enemy.

  • •Use higher self to control lower self
  • •Lust is the formidable enemy
  • •Self-mastery through self-knowledge
self-controlconquesthigher selfmastery
Chapter 3 • Verse 43 →The Yoga of Action
Evam buddheh param buddhva samstabhyatmanam atmana, jahi shatrum maha-baho kama-rupam durasadam

Thus knowing the soul to be superior to the material intellect, O mighty-armed Arjuna, subdue the self by the self, and conquer this formidable enemy called lust.

  • •Use higher self to control lower self
  • •Conquer desire through wisdom
  • •Self-mastery is possible
self-controlconquestwisdomsoul