7.11 - Bhagavad Gita - Chapter 7, Verse 11

In Bhagavad Gita 7.11, Lord Krishna continues His divine revelation to Arjuna, declaring "I am the strength of the strong, devoid of passion and desire. I am sexual activity not conflicting with virtue or scriptural injunctions." This verse forms part of a sequence where Krishna illustrates how He pervades everything in existence through His divine energies.

The verse contains two profound declarations that reveal Krishna's presence in human qualities and activities. First, Krishna identifies Himself as the strength found in strong individuals, but specifically the strength that is "free from longing and attachment" (kāma-rāga-vivarjitam). This distinguishes between two types of strength: one that is used for selfish purposes driven by desire and passion, and another that is pure, serene, and used in service of dharma (righteousness). Krishna associates Himself only with the latter – strength that empowers people to fulfill their duties and responsibilities without attachment to outcomes.

In the second part of the verse, Krishna states that He is "desire in beings that is consistent with duty" (dharmāviruddho bhūteṣu kāmo). This is often interpreted specifically in relation to sexual activity that aligns with scriptural principles. When Krishna says "I am sexual activity not conflicting with virtue," He makes a crucial distinction between lustful desire and righteous desire that serves a higher purpose. Within the sacred institution of marriage, sexual activity intended for procreation rather than mere pleasure becomes an expression of divine energy.

The verse draws an important line between desire that leads to attachment and suffering versus desire channeled through dharmic principles. When sexual activity is undertaken "only for sensual pleasure and is devoid of any regulative principles, it is considered beastly or animalistic." However, when carried out within marriage for the purpose of procreation, it becomes "controlled, virtuous, and well-intended."

This teaching aligns with the broader Vedic understanding that "sexual intercourse ordained by the Supreme Personality of Godhead is dharma, a religious principle, but it is not intended for sense enjoyment." Through this verse, Krishna elevates certain human experiences from the merely physical to the spiritual realm, showing how even basic human drives can be expressions of the divine when properly directed.

The verse illustrates Krishna's subtle presence in the world – not just as the creator of all things but as their very essence. By identifying Himself with strength free from passion and with righteous desire, Krishna reveals how seemingly ordinary aspects of human existence can be pathways to spiritual connection when approached with proper understanding. This teaching helps us distinguish between actions that bind us to material existence and those that elevate us toward spiritual consciousness.

Through this verse, Krishna invites us to transform our perception of everyday human qualities and activities. Rather than seeing strength merely as physical power or desire solely as sensual craving, we are encouraged to recognize their higher expressions as manifestations of divine energy. When we understand that Krishna is present in these purified forms of human experience, we begin to see the sacred in what might otherwise appear mundane, bringing a profound spiritual dimension to our daily lives.