Bhagavad Gita · Karma Yoga — The Yoga of Action
Chapter 3, Verse 38
"Bhagavad Gita 3.38" — meaning and explanation.
धूमेनाव्रियते वह्निर्यथादर्शो मलेन च | यथोल्बेनावृतो गर्भस्तथा तेनेदमावृतम्
dhūmenāvriyate vahniryathādarśo malena ca . yatholbenāvṛto garbhastathā tenedamāvṛtam
Meaning
3.38 As fire is enveloped by smoke, as a mirror by dust, and as an embryo by the amnion, so is this enveloped by that.
।।3.38।। जैसे धुयें से अग्नि और धूलि से दर्पण ढक जाता है तथा जैसे भ्रूण गर्भाशय से ढका रहता है, वैसे उस (काम) के द्वारा यह (ज्ञान) आवृत होता है।।
Explanation
3.38 धूमेन by smoke? आव्रियते is enveloped? वह्निः fire? यथा as? आदर्शः a mirror? मलेन by dust? च and? यथा as? उल्बेन by the amnion? आवृतः enveloped? गर्भः embryo? तथा so? तेन by it? इदम् this? आवृतम् enveloped.Commentary This means the universe. This also means knowledge. That means desire.
Life Lesson
Study Bhagavad Gita 3.38 slowly, then express its central teaching through one thoughtful action in daily life.
Context
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 3, verse 38, from Krishna's dialogue with Arjuna at Kurukshetra.
Bhagavad Gita 3.38
This page presents the Sanskrit verse, transliteration, Hindi meaning, English meaning, and a simple explanation for study. For a fuller understanding, read this shloka in sequence with the rest of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 3.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Bhagavad Gita 3.38 mean?
3.38 As fire is enveloped by smoke, as a mirror by dust, and as an embryo by the amnion, so is this enveloped by that.
What is the life lesson of this verse?
Study Bhagavad Gita 3.38 slowly, then express its central teaching through one thoughtful action in daily life.
What is the context of this verse?
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 3, verse 38, from Krishna's dialogue with Arjuna at Kurukshetra.