Chapter 3, Verse 38
Part of 3: Karm Yog — कर्मयोगधूमेनाव्रियते वह्निर्यथाऽऽदर्शो मलेन च। यथोल्बेनावृतो गर्भस्तथा तेनेदमावृतम्॥
Transliteration
dhūmenāvriyate vahnir yathādarśho malena cha yatholbenāvṛito garbhas tathā tenedam āvṛitam
Meaning
As fire is enveloped by smoke, as a mirror is covered by dust, and as an embryo is surrounded by the amniotic sac, so is this enveloped by that.
Word-by-word meaning
dhūmena — by smokeāvriyate — is coveredvahniḥ — fireyathā — just asādarśhaḥ — mirrormalena — by dustcha — alsoyathā — just asulbena — by the wombāvṛitaḥ — is coveredgarbhaḥ — embryotathā — similarlytena — by that (desire)idam — thisāvṛitam — is covered
Commentary
This means the universe. This also means knowledge. That means desire.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 3, Verse 38?▼
As fire is enveloped by smoke, as a mirror is covered by dust, and as an embryo is surrounded by the amniotic sac, so is this enveloped by that.
Which chapter and verse of the Bhagavad Gita is this?▼
This is verse 38 of Chapter 3 (Karm Yog — Path of Selfless Service) of the Bhagavad Gita, a scripture of 18 chapters and 700 verses spoken by Lord Krishna to Arjuna.