एवं बुद्धेः परं बुद्ध्वा संस्तभ्यात्मानमात्मना ।
जहि शत्रुं महाबाहो कामरूपं दुरासदम् ॥ ४३ ॥
evaṁ buddheḥ paraṁ buddhvā sanstabhyātmānam ātmanā
jahi śhatruṁ mahā-bāho kāma-rūpaṁ durāsadam
श्लोक ४३: इस प्रकार स्वयं को बुद्धि से श्रेष्ठ समझो और विवेक बुद्धि से मन को वश में करो। हे महाबाहु, वासना रूपी इस शत्रु पर विजय प्राप्त करो।
Shloka 43: Thus, understanding the self to be superior to intellect and controlling the mind by discerning intelligence, O mighty-armed one, conquer this formidable enemy in the form of lust.
In Bhagavad Gita verse 3.43, Lord Krishna concludes his discourse on karma-yoga with a profound instruction on conquering desire. The Sanskrit verse "evam buddheh param buddhva samstabhyatmanam atmana, jahi satrum maha-baho kama-rupam durasadam" contains the essence of transcendental knowledge that Krishna imparts to Arjuna.
Krishna addresses Arjuna as "maha-baho" (mighty-armed one), acknowledging his strength as a warrior while simultaneously challenging him to direct this strength inward. The verse establishes a hierarchy of consciousness: the senses are governed by the mind, the mind by intelligence, and intelligence by the soul. Krishna urges Arjuna to understand that his true self transcends material senses, mind, and intelligence.
The central message of this verse is that by recognizing our transcendental nature, we can control the lower self (comprising senses, mind, and intelligence) through the higher self (the soul). This self-awareness becomes the foundation for conquering what Krishna describes as the "insatiable enemy known as lust." This enemy is characterized as "durasadam" - formidable or difficult to overcome.
Krishna's instruction to "steady the mind by deliberate intelligence" reveals a practical approach to spiritual development. Rather than suggesting an abrupt abandonment of duties or prescribed work, he advocates for gradual spiritual growth through the cultivation of transcendental knowledge. This involves understanding oneself as an eternal servant of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, rather than seeking impersonal voidness as life's ultimate goal.
The verse marks an important transition in the Bhagavad Gita, concluding the discussion on karma-yoga while setting the stage for deeper explorations of transcendental knowledge in subsequent chapters. Krishna emphasizes that in our material existence, we are constantly influenced by desires for sense gratification and dominion over material resources. These desires represent the greatest obstacles for the conditioned soul seeking spiritual advancement.
What makes this verse particularly powerful is its practical application. Krishna suggests that mere philosophical speculations or artificial attempts to control the senses through yogic postures are insufficient for spiritual advancement, especially in the immature stages of material existence. Instead, one must be trained in Krishna consciousness through higher intelligence. This involves strengthening oneself by oneself ("samstabhyatmanam atmana") - a profound call to spiritual self-reliance.
The verse can be understood as Krishna's inspiring message to suffering humanity. Our true nature as Atma (soul) impregnates all material things with consciousness, power, and activity. By recognizing this transcendental nature and steadying ourselves through deliberate intelligence, we can overcome the formidable enemy of desire that manifests in countless forms throughout our lives. This self-mastery represents the conclusive directive of the third chapter - to develop Krishna consciousness and thereby attain a transcendental position beyond the influence of material senses and mind.
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