Bhagwad Gita (English) | Chapter 7 | Verse 11

Chapter 7, Verse 11

Knowledge of the Absolute

I am the strength of the strong, devoid of passion and desire. I am sex life which is not contrary to religious principles, O Lord of the Bharatas [Arjuna].

Verse

बलं बलवतां चाहं कामरागविवर्जितम्।
धर्माविरुद्धो भूतेषु कामोऽस्मि भरतर्षभ।।7.11।।

balaṁ balavatāṁ chāhaṁ kāma-rāga-vivarjitam
dharmāviruddho bhūteṣhu kāmo ’smi bharatarṣhabha

Meaning of each word

balam — strength;
bala-vatām — of the strong;
cha — and;
aham — I;
kāma — desire;
rāga — passion;
vivarjitam — devoid of;
dharma-aviruddhaḥ — not conflicting with dharma;
bhūteṣhu — in all beings;
kāmaḥ — sexual activity;
asmi — (I) am;
bharata-ṛiṣhabha — Arjun, the best of the Bharats

Interpretation

In this verse, Krishna is telling Arjuna that He represents the strength of strong people who use their power wisely. This strength isn't meant for bullying or causing harm to those who are weaker. Instead, it should be used to protect and help others. For example, if someone is physically strong, they have a duty to defend those who can't defend themselves, like children or elderly people.

Krishna also talks about sexual relationships. He emphasizes that when it comes to intimacy and relationships, they should align with what is right and good according to spiritual or ethical guidelines. This means that sexual activities should not just be about pleasure or personal satisfaction; they should focus on building a family, especially for the purpose of having children.

Krishna’s message here is that relationships and desires should have a purpose. When parents engage in sexual relations responsibly and according to principles of dharma (which can be understood as a sense of duty, morality, and righteousness), they aim to raise their children in a way that they grow up knowing and loving God (Krsna consciousness). It's not just about bringing kids into the world, but also ensuring they grow up with values and a connection to a higher purpose.

So, in summary, the verse teaches us to use our strengths for good and to approach personal desires, particularly in relationships, with a mindset that is respectful and responsible, making sure it serves a higher purpose.

Other Verses of Chapter 7

Verse 1
Now hear, O son of Prtha [Arjuna], how by practicing yoga in full consciousness of Me, with mind attached to Me, you can know Me in full, free from doubt.

Verse 2
I shall now declare unto you in full this knowledge both phenomenal and noumenal, by knowing which there shall remain nothing further to be known.

Verse 3
Out of many thousands among men, one may endeavor for perfection, and of those who have achieved perfection, hardly one knows Me in truth.

Verse 4
Earth, water, fire, air, ether, mind, intelligence and false ego—altogether these eight comprise My separated material energies.

Verse 5
Besides this inferior nature, O mighty-armed Arjuna, there is a superior energy of Mine, which are all living entities who are struggling with material nature and are sustaining the universe.

Verse 6
Of all that is material and all that is spiritual in this world, know for certain that I am both its origin and dissolution.

Verse 7
O conquerer of wealth [Arjuna], there is no Truth superior to Me. Everything rests upon Me, as pearls are strung on a thread.

Verse 8
O son of Kunti [Arjuna], I am the taste of water, the light of the sun and the moon, the syllable om in the Vedic mantras; I am the sound in ether and ability in man.

Verse 9
I am the original fragrance of the earth, and I am the heat in fire. I am the life of all that lives, and I am the penances of all ascetics.

Verse 10
O son of Prtha, know that I am the original seed of all existences, the intelligence of the intelligent, and the prowess of all powerful men.

Verse 12
All states of being - be they of goodness, passion or ignorance - are manifested by My energy. I am, in one sense, everything - but I am independent. I am not under the modes of this material nature.

Verse 13
Deluded by the three modes [goodness, passion and ignorance], the whole world does not know Me who am above the modes and inexhaustible.

Verse 14
This divine energy of Mine, consisting of the three modes of material nature, is difficult to overcome. But those who have surrendered unto Me can easily cross beyond it.

Verse 15
Those evil and foolish people, who are deeply confused and follow their lower instincts, do not turn to Me for help.

Verse 16
O best among the Bharatas [Arjuna], four kinds of pious men render devotional service unto Me—the distressed, the desirer of wealth, the inquisitive, and he who is searching for knowledge of the Absolute.

Verse 17
Of these, the wise one who is in full knowledge in union with Me through pure devotional service is the best. For I am very dear to him, and he is dear to Me.

Verse 18
All these devotees are undoubtedly magnanimous souls, but he who is situated in knowledge of Me I consider verily to dwell in Me. Being engaged in My transcendental service, he attains Me.

Verse 19
After many births and deaths, he who is actually in knowledge surrenders unto Me, knowing Me to be the cause of all causes and all that is. Such a great soul is very rare.

Verse 20
Those whose minds are distorted by material desires surrender unto demigods and follow the particular rules and regulations of worship according to their own natures.

Verse 21
I am in everyone's heart as the Supersoul. As soon as one desires to worship the demigods, I make his faith steady so that he can devote himself to some particular deity.

Verse 22
Endowed with such a faith, he seeks favors of a particular demigod and obtains his desires. But in actuality these benefits are bestowed by Me alone.

Verse 23
Men of small intelligence worship the demigods, and their fruits are limited and temporary. Those who worship the demigods go to the planets of the demigods, but My devotees ultimately reach My supreme planet.

Verse 24
Unintelligent men, who know Me not, think that I have assumed this form and personality. Due to their small knowledge, they do not know My higher nature, which is changeless and supreme.

Verse 25
I am never manifest to the foolish and unintelligent. For them I am covered by My eternal creative potency, and so the deluded world knows Me not, who am unborn and infallible.

Verse 26
O Arjuna, as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, I know everything that has happened in the past, all that is happening in the present, and all things that are yet to come. I also know all living entities; but Me no one knows.

Verse 27
O scion of Bharata [Arjuna], O conquerer of the foe, all living entities are born into delusion, overcome by the dualities of desire and hate.

Verse 28
Persons who have acted piously in previous lives and in this life, whose sinful actions are completely eradicated and who are freed from the duality of delusion, engage themselves in My service with determination.

Verse 29
Intelligent persons who are endeavoring for liberation from old age and death take refuge in Me in devotional service. They are actually Brahman because they entirely know everything about transcendental and fruitive activities.

Verse 30
Those who know Me as the Supreme Lord, as the governing principle of the material manifestation, who know Me as the one underlying all the demigods and as the one sustaining all sacrifices, can, with steadfast mind, understand and know Me even at the time of death.

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