In Bhagavad Gita 3.37, Krishna answers that it is desire, which turns into anger, born of rajas; it is insatiable and very sinful, the enemy in this world.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
काम एष क्रोध एष
रजोगुणसमुद्भवः
महाशनो महापाप्मा
विद्ध्येनमिह वैरिणम् ॥ ३-३७ ॥
kāma eṣa krodha eṣa
rajoguṇasamudbhavaḥ
mahāśano mahāpāpmā
viddhyenamiha vairiṇam
English transliteration kaama esha krodha esha
rajogunasamudbhavah
mahaashano mahaapaapmaa
viddhyenamiha vairinam ॥ 3.37 ॥
Translation / Meaning
The Blessed Lord said: It is desire; it is anger, born of the quality of rajas. All-devouring and most sinful, know this to be the enemy here.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| कामः kāmaḥ | desire |
| एषः eṣaḥ | this |
| क्रोधः krodhaḥ | anger |
| एषः eṣaḥ | this |
| रजोगुणसमुद्भवः rajoguṇasamudbhavaḥ | born of the quality of rajas rajas (passion) + guṇa (quality) + samudbhavaḥ (born) |
| महाशनः mahāśanaḥ | all-devouring mahā (great) + aśanaḥ (eating) |
| महापाप्मा mahāpāpmā | most sinful mahā (great) + pāpmā (sinful) |
| विद्धि viddhi | know |
| एनम् enam | this |
| इह iha | here |
| वैरिणम् vairiṇam | the enemy |
Word-wise Chanting
- kā–ma e–ṣa kro–dha e–ṣa 8 syllables kaa-ma e-sha kro-dha e-sha
- ra–jo–gu–ṇa–sa–mud–bha–vaḥ | 8 syllables ra-jo-gu-na-sa-mud-bha-vah
- ma–hā–śa–no ma–hā–pāp–mā 8 syllables ma-haa-sha-no ma-haa-paap-maa
- vid–dhye–na–mi–ha vai–ri–ṇam || 3-37 8 syllables vid-dhye-na-mi-ha vai-ri-nam
How to read this
How to chant: each line is one pāda (quarter-verse); chant it in one breath. The hyphen (-) divides the syllables, inside a word and across a sandhi join, so every pāda shows its 8 syllables (11 in triṣṭubh verses). A consonant cluster is divided after its first consonant (kar-ma, vet-ti): that syllable is held longer. Mark above a syllable: guru, long (two beats); laghu, short (one beat). | closes the half-verse, || the verse; the number is the syllable count of the pāda.
Deeper Explanation – Chapter 3 Verse 37
Context
Krishna answers Arjuna’s question (3.36) and begins his teaching on conquering desire (3.37–3.43).
Meaning
The force is kāma, desire, which turns into krodha, anger, when it is frustrated. Both arise from rajas, the guṇa of restless activity and passion. Desire is mahāśana, all-devouring: it can never be satisfied. It drives us to wrong action even against our better judgement. Krishna calls it the vairin, the enemy.
This answer is simple and profound. The root of wrongdoing is not an external devil but uncontrolled desire within. Recognising this is empowering: the enemy is inside, so the battle can also be won inside. This sets the stage for the inner battle that the Gita describes.
In Practice
Watch your desires today as if observing a guest: notice how they arise and what they push you toward, without automatically obeying.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 3: Karma Yoga (The Yoga of Action). Read the chapter overview, browse every verse of the Gita, or return to the chapter-by-chapter guide. For a reading plan, see how to study the Bhagavad Gita and the study resources.