Shloka 39

Karma Yoga — Karma Yoga

Devanagari script

आवृतं ज्ञानमेतेन ज्ञानिनो नित्यवैरिणा । कामरूपेण कौन्तेय दुष्पूरेणानलेन च ॥ ३.३९ ॥

Transliteration

āvṛtaṁ jñānam etena jñānino nitya-vairiṇā | kāma-rūpeṇa kaunteya duṣpūreṇānalena ca || 3.39 ||

Translation

കൗന്തേയാ, ജ്ഞാനികളുടെ നിത്യവൈരിയായ ഈ കാമരൂപിയായത് ജ്ഞാനത്തെ മൂടുന്നു; അഗ്നിപോലെ ദുഷ്പൂരണമുള്ള (അസന്തുഷ്ടമായ) അതാണ്.

Gita Press Meaning

Knowledge is covered by this constant adversary of the wise, in the form of desire, O son of Kuntī, which is insatiable like fire.

Critical Edition Meaning

The knowledge of the discerning is veiled by this perpetual hindrance, taking the form of desire—hard to satisfy, like a blaze.

Comparative Note

Some traditions read ‘wise’ as those already on the path whose clarity is still challenged; academic readings emphasize the paradox that cognitive insight can persist alongside strong motivational drives.

Word by Word

• आवृतम्: covered, veiled
• Root: आ√वृ (वृञ्)

• ज्ञानम्: knowledge
• ज्ञानम्: Karma
• Root: ज्ञान (प्रातिपदिक)

• एतेन: by this (by it)
• एतेन: Karana
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)

• ज्ञानिनः: of the knower (of the wise person)
• Root: ज्ञानिन् (प्रातिपदिक)

• नित्यवैरिणा: by the constant enemy
• नित्यवैरिणा: Karana
• Root: नित्यवैरिन् (प्रातिपदिक)

• कामरूपेण: in the form of desire
• कामरूपेण: Karana
• Root: कामरूप (प्रातिपदिक)

• कौन्तेय: O son of Kuntī
• Root: कौन्तेय (प्रातिपदिक)

• दुष्पूरेण: by the hard-to-satisfy (insatiable)
• दुष्पूरेण: Karana
• Root: दुष्पूर (प्रातिपदिक)

• अनलेन: by fire
• अनलेन: Karana
• Root: अनल (प्रातिपदिक)

• च: and
• Root: च

Speakers

• Krishna

Primary Concepts

• Jñāna
• Kāma
• Āvaraṇa
• Rajas

Key Themes

• Insatiability of craving
• Obstacle to wisdom
• Ethical-epistemic entanglement

FAQs

Psychological significance?

It highlights that understanding alone may not dissolve craving; desire can persist as a motivational force that biases decisions.

Metaphysical meaning?

The verse treats desire as a persistent function of prakṛti (especially rajas) that can veil jñāna within embodied life.

Contextual relevance?

It reinforces the diagnosis of the inner obstacle and prepares for practical instruction on regulation and hierarchy of faculties.

Modern Application?

Combine insight with behavioral and attentional training—e.g., reduce triggers, build alternative rewards, and cultivate reflective pauses.