The Great Epic of the Bhārata dynasty 6.27.4
The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa 6.27.4
- Language
- English
6.27.4
"The Holy One said,--'It is desire, it is wrath, born of the attribute of passion; it is all devouring, it is very sinful. Know this to be the foe in this world. As fire is enveloped by smoke, a mirror by dust, the foetus by the womb, so is this enveloped by desire. Knowledge, O son of Kunti, is enveloped by this constant foe of the wise in the form of desire which is insatiable and like a fire. The senses, the mind and the understanding are said to be its abode. With these it deludeth the embodied self, enveloping (his) knowledge. Therefore, restraining (thy) senses first, O bull of Bharata's race, cast off this wicked thing, for it destroyeth knowledge derived from instruction and meditation. It hath been said that the senses are superior (to the body which is inert). Superior to the senses is the mind. Superior to the mind is the knowledge. But which is superior to knowledge is He. Thus knowing that which is superior to knowledge and restraining (thy) self by self, slay, O mighty-armed one, the enemy in the shape of desire which is difficult to conquer.'"
6.27.4.n1
Desire, if not gratified, results in wrath. Thus say the commentators.
6.27.4.n2
Prajahi is explained by both Sankara and Sreedhara as parityaja (cast off).
6.27.4.n3
He is the Supreme Soul or Being.
Linked texts (1)
- Mahābhārata — Vyāsa, Sanskrit