Mūla — the verse
Gita Press numberingTranslation
Swami Gambhīrānanda · follows Śaṅkara-bhāṣyaAnd of the strong, I am the strength that is devoid of passion and attachment. Among creatures, I am desire that is not contrary to righteousness, O scion of the Bharata dynasty.
हिन्दी अनुवाद — Swami Tejomayānanda
हे भरत श्रेष्ठ ! मैं बलवानों का कामना तथा आसक्ति से रहित बल हूँ और सब भूतों में धर्म के अविरुद्ध अर्थात् अनुकूल काम हूँ।।
Pronunciation — Vaamshii
from VaamshiiWord by word
padārthaThemes
from The Thematic Companion to the Bhagavad GītāMeaning — Questions & Solutions
from Q&A with KnA“I am the strength of the strong, free from desire and attachment; and I am, in beings, the desire that is not opposed to Dharma (dharma-aviruddhaḥ kāmaḥ).” This is a remarkable concession. The same Kṛṣṇa who names kāma the great enemy (3.37) here blesses one kind of desire: the desire that runs with Dharma rather than against it — the wish to provide for one's family, to do good work, to seek the Truth itself. Not all wanting is the enemy; only the wanting that violates the moral order and thickens the ego. Desire aligned with Dharma is Kṛṣṇa's own presence in us, and it is the very raft (śubha-vāsanā) by which we cross to the desireless shore.