āśhā-pāśha-śhatair baddhāḥ kāma-krodha-parāyaṇāḥ
īhante kāma-bhogārtham anyāyenārtha-sañchayān
āśhā-pāśha — bondage of desires;
śhataiḥ — by hundreds;
baddhāḥ — bound;
kāma — lust;
krodha — anger;
parāyaṇāḥ — dedicated to;
īhante — strive;
kāma — lust;
bhoga — gratification of the senses;
artham — for;
anyāyena — by unjust means;
artha — wealth;
sañchayān — to accumulate
This verse tells us about people who are trapped by their desires and hopes. Imagine someone who is constantly wanting more—more money, more things, more pleasure. They feel as if they are tied down by these hopes, like strings connected to a puppet. The things they want most are driven by lust (a strong desire for something, often related to physical pleasure) and anger (a strong feeling of annoyance or displeasure). These emotions can make a person think and act in unhealthy ways.
When these individuals pursue wealth or possessions, they often do it in ways that are not right or fair. For example, they might cheat, lie, or steal to get what they want, rather than working hard and honestly. Their main goal is to enjoy things that make them feel good in the moment, without regard to rules or principles. This may sound like a way to find happiness, but it's actually a path that can lead to more problems and unhappiness in the long run.
These people might not understand that there is a deeper part of themselves—the Supersoul or the higher self—which is always watching what they do. Picture it like two birds sitting on a tree: one bird goes around doing things and experiencing life, while the other bird simply watches. The demoniac individuals in this verse are so caught up in their own desires that they ignore the part of them that knows better—the part that understands the difference between right and wrong.
Because they are unaware of this deeper truth, they engage in all sorts of wrongful behavior, thinking they're free to act however they wish without any consequences. This ignorance can make them feel like they are entitled to anything they desire, leading them to make poor choices just to satisfy their desires for short-term happiness. In essence, the verse points to a warning: when we are consumed by our desires and ignore our inner moral compass, we can end up lost and stuck in a cycle that leads us away from true happiness.