Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 3, verse 38 · Krishna
Bhagavad Gita 3.38 · Dhumenavriyate Malena
धूमेनाव्रियते वह्निर्यथादर्शो मलेन च ।
यथोल्बेनावृतो गर्भस्तथा तेनेदमावृतम् ॥
dhūmenāvriyate vahniryathādarśo malena ca |
yatholbenāvṛto garbhastathā tenedamāvṛtam ||
Translation
As fire is veiled by smoke, a mirror by dust, and an embryo by the womb, so is this knowledge veiled by desire.
Context
Spoken by Krishna in chapter 3, Karma Yoga — “The Yoga of Action”, which has 43 verses.
Frequently asked questions
What does Bhagavad Gita 3.38 mean?
As fire is veiled by smoke, a mirror by dust, and an embryo by the womb, so is this knowledge veiled by desire.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 3.38?
Krishna, speaking to Arjuna, in chapter 3, Karma Yoga (The Yoga of Action).
Sanskrit text: traditional, public domain. Translation and explanation are our own.