In Bhagavad Gita 7.27, Krishna says that from birth all beings fall into delusion through the pairs of opposites arising from desire and aversion.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
इच्छाद्वेषसमुत्थेन
द्वन्द्वमोहेन भारत
सर्वभूतानि सम्मोहं
सर्गे यान्ति परन्तप ॥ ७-२७ ॥
icchādveṣasamutthena
dvandvamohena bhārata
sarvabhūtāni sammohaṃ
sarge yānti parantapa
English transliteration ichchhaadveshasamutthena
dvandvamohena bhaarata
sarvabhootaani sammoham
sarge yaanti parantapa ॥ 7.27 ॥
Translation / Meaning
O descendant of Bharata, through the delusion of the pairs of opposites born of desire and aversion, all beings fall into confusion at birth, O scorcher of foes.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| इच्छाद्वेषसमुत्थेन icchādveṣasamutthena | arising from desire and aversion icchā (desire) + dveṣa (aversion) + samutthena (arising) |
| द्वन्द्वमोहेन dvandvamohena | by the delusion of opposites dvandva (pairs of opposites) + mohena (delusion) |
| भारत bhārata | O descendant of Bharata |
| सर्वभूतानि sarvabhūtāni | all beings |
| सम्मोहम् sammoham | confusion |
| सर्गे sarge | at birth |
| यान्ति yānti | fall into |
| परन्तप parantapa | O scorcher of foes |
Word-wise Chanting
- ic–chād–ve–ṣa–sa–mut–the–na 8 syllables ich-chhaad-ve-sha-sa-mut-the-na
- dvan–dva–mo–he–na bhā–ra–ta | 8 syllables dvan-dva-mo-he-na bhaa-ra-ta
- sar–va–bhū–tā–ni sam–mo–haṃ 8 syllables sar-va-bhoo-taa-ni sam-mo-ham
- sar–ge yān–ti pa–ran–ta–pa || 7-27 8 syllables sar-ge yaan-ti pa-ran-ta-pa
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 7 Verse 27
Context
Krishna explains the root of the delusion that prevents knowing him (following 7.26).
Meaning
From birth, beings are pulled between icchā, desire, and dveṣa, aversion. These produce dvandva-moha, the delusion of opposites: pleasant and unpleasant, gain and loss, friend and enemy. Caught in these pairs, beings lose sight of the unity behind them and fall into confusion.
This verse describes the human condition. We are constantly judging experiences as good or bad and chasing or fleeing them. This pushing and pulling keeps us from seeing clearly. Freedom begins when we notice it.
In Practice
Notice how often today you label things as “like” or “dislike.” Practise simply observing without immediately judging.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 7: Jnana Vijnana Yoga (Knowledge and Realisation). 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.