In Bhagavad Gita 3.39, Krishna says that knowledge is covered by this constant enemy of the wise, desire, which is like a fire that can never be satisfied.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
आवृतं ज्ञानमेतेन
ज्ञानिनो नित्यवैरिणा
कामरूपेण कौन्तेय
दुष्पूरेणानलेन च ॥ ३-३९ ॥
āvṛtaṃ jñānametena
jñānino nityavairiṇā
kāmarūpeṇa kaunteya
duṣpūreṇānalena ca
English transliteration aavritam jnaanametena
jnaanino nityavairinaa
kaamaroopena kaunteya
dushpoorenaanalena cha ॥ 3.39 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Knowledge is covered by this eternal enemy of the wise, O son of Kunti, in the form of desire, which is as insatiable as fire.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| आवृतम् āvṛtam | covered |
| ज्ञानम् jñānam | knowledge |
| एतेन etena | by this |
| ज्ञानिनः jñāninaḥ | of the wise |
| नित्यवैरिणा nityavairiṇā | by the eternal enemy nitya (eternal) + vairiṇā (enemy) |
| कामरूपेण kāmarūpeṇa | in the form of desire kāma (desire) + rūpeṇa (in the form) |
| कौन्तेय kaunteya | O son of Kuntī |
| दुष्पूरेण duṣpūreṇa | insatiable duṣ (difficult) + pūreṇa (to fill) |
| अनलेन analena | by fire |
| च ca | and |
Word-wise Chanting
- ā–vṛ–taṃ jñā–na–me–te–na 8 syllables aa-vri-tam jnaa-na-me-te-na
- jñā–ni–no nit–ya–vai–ri–ṇā | 8 syllables jnaa-ni-no nit-ya-vai-ri-naa
- kā–ma–rū–pe–ṇa kaun–te–ya 8 syllables kaa-ma-roo-pe-na kaun-te-ya
- duṣ–pū–re–ṇā–na–le–na ca || 3-39 8 syllables dush-poo-re-naa-na-le-na cha
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 39
Context
Krishna continues to describe desire as the covering of knowledge.
Meaning
Desire is called the nitya-vairin, the constant enemy of the wise. It is duṣpūra, hard to fill: like fire, the more fuel it receives, the more it burns. Feeding desire never satisfies it; it only grows. This is why indulgence cannot bring peace.
This verse dismantles the common belief that we will be content once our desires are fulfilled. Experience shows that each fulfilled desire gives rise to new ones. The way out is not endless feeding but understanding, restraint and the discovery of a deeper fulfilment.
In Practice
Notice a desire you have satisfied many times. Ask honestly whether satisfying it has ever ended it. Let this insight soften its grip.
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.