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Chapter 3 · Karma-yoga · 43 verses

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Mind & yogaChapter 3 · Karma-yoga
3.373.39

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 3.38

Lust, anger and mastery over senses

धूमेनाव्रियते वह्निर्यथादर्शो मलेन च ।

यथोल्बेनावृतो गर्भस्तथा तेनेदमावृत्तम् ॥ ३८ ॥

dhūmenāvriyate vahnir

yathādarśo malena ca

yatholbenāvṛto garbhas

tathā tenedam āvṛtam

Translation

As fire is covered by smoke, as a mirror is covered by dust, or as the embryo is covered by the womb, the living entity is similarly covered by different degrees of this lust.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

What this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.

Lust Covers Pure Consciousness

  1. 1Lust covers the living being in different degrees, like smoke over fire, dust on a mirror, and the womb around an embryo.
  2. 2Prabhupāda explains that lust hides pure consciousness. Human life offers a chance to conquer lust by developing Kṛṣṇa consciousness under able guidance.
  3. 3Chant the holy names of the Lord—the best process for cleansing the mirror of the mind.

Where we are

In the story

Chapter 3, Karma-yoga: lust, anger and mastery over senses.

What it teaches

Theme summary

A disciplined mind is one's best friend.

2

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: manas, indriya, yoga.

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Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 3.38 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to mind & yoga?

Practice

Sit quietly for ten minutes and gently return the mind.

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The story behind it

Mahābhārata episodes and stories from the purports that shed light on this verse.

All stories for chapter 3 ›
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Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 3.37Lust, anger and mastery over sensesBG 3.39Lust, anger and mastery over sensesBG 6.35Practice and detachment

Study notes are editorial summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport.

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Ask about BG 3.38 — get a simple answer linked to related ideas and verses.

Back to step 3The key ideasNext · Step 5 of 7 · 5 minLive the teachingsBring it into your day with a practice and a question, straight from Prabhupāda's purports.