Bhagavad Gita 7.11 — Strength Free from Attachment and Desire Aligned with Righteousness
बलं बलवतां चाहं कामरागविवर्जितम् ।
धर्माविरुद्धो भूतेषु कामोऽस्मि भरतर्षभ ॥ ७.११ ॥
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Of the strong, I am the strength that is free from desire and attachment. O best of the Bharatas, in all beings I am the desire that is not contrary to righteousness.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| balam | strength |
| balavatām | of the strong |
| cha | and |
| aham | I |
| kāma-rāga-vivarjitam | devoid of desire and attachment |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| dharma-aviruddhaḥ | not contrary to dharma, not opposed to righteousness |
| bhūteṣhu | in all beings |
| kāmaḥ | desire |
| asmi | I am |
| bharatarṣhabha | O best of the Bharatas, Arjuna |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| balam | strength | dharma-aviruddhaḥ | not contrary to dharma, not opposed to righteousness |
| balavatām | of the strong | bhūteṣhu | in all beings |
| cha | and | kāmaḥ | desire |
| aham | I | asmi | I am |
| kāma-rāga-vivarjitam | devoid of desire and attachment | bharatarṣhabha | O best of the Bharatas, Arjuna |
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
Lord Krishna now speaks of two powerful human forces, strength and desire. He teaches that He is the strength that is free from craving and attachment, and the desire that does not go against dharma.
Essence
Strength and Desire in the Light of Dharma
Here Lord Krishna clarifies something that is easy to misunderstand. Earlier, the Gita has repeatedly warned against desire and attachment. Does this mean that all desire is wrong and all strength is to be renounced? This verse answers with clarity and balance.
Balaṁ balavatām (the strength of the strong): Strength, whether physical, mental, or moral, is a divine power.
Kāma-rāga-vivarjitam (free from craving and attachment): Kāma here means selfish craving, and rāga means passionate attachment. Lord Krishna says that He is the strength that is not driven by these. There is a great difference between the strength that serves a purpose and the strength that serves the ego's hunger. A person who protects the weak uses strength well. A person who uses strength to dominate or satisfy greed misuses it, and this is not what Lord Krishna calls His own.
Dharmāviruddho bhūteṣu kāmo 'smi (I am desire in beings that is not contrary to dharma): Desire is a natural part of human life. The wish to learn, to build a family, to earn an honest living, or to serve others is a legitimate desire, and Lord Krishna accepts it as part of His own order. What the Gita opposes is desire that violates dharma, that harms others, or that enslaves the person who holds it.
Bharatarṣabha (best of the Bharatas): This address recalls the noble lineage to which Arjuna belongs, reminding him of the responsibility that comes with strength.
A balanced view: Spiritual life in the Gita is not about suppressing every wish. It is about purifying and directing desire and strength towards what is right. This gives the seeker a healthy and practical approach that can be followed in the midst of worldly life.
Message for Everyday Life (Ethical Ambition and Responsible Power)
Do not be ashamed of healthy aspirations: Wanting to grow, achieve, and provide for those who depend on you is natural. The test is whether the desire respects honesty, fairness, and the well-being of others.
Practical approach: Before pursuing a goal, ask, 'Will this harm anyone, and does it align with my values?' Use any strength you have, whether authority at work, physical ability, or persuasive skill, to protect and help, not to dominate. In this way, ambition and spirituality become partners instead of opponents.
Strength and Desire in the Light of Dharma
Here Lord Krishna clarifies something that is easy to misunderstand. Earlier, the Gita has repeatedly warned against desire and attachment. Does this mean that all desire is wrong and all strength is to be renounced? This verse answers with clarity and balance.
Balaṁ balavatām (the strength of the strong): Strength, whether physical, mental, or moral, is a divine power.
Kāma-rāga-vivarjitam (free from craving and attachment): Kāma here means selfish craving, and rāga means passionate attachment. Lord Krishna says that He is the strength that is not driven by these. There is a great difference between the strength that serves a purpose and the strength that serves the ego's hunger. A person who protects the weak uses strength well. A person who uses strength to dominate or satisfy greed misuses it, and this is not what Lord Krishna calls His own.
Dharmāviruddho bhūteṣu kāmo 'smi (I am desire in beings that is not contrary to dharma): Desire is a natural part of human life. The wish to learn, to build a family, to earn an honest living, or to serve others is a legitimate desire, and Lord Krishna accepts it as part of His own order. What the Gita opposes is desire that violates dharma, that harms others, or that enslaves the person who holds it.
Bharatarṣabha (best of the Bharatas): This address recalls the noble lineage to which Arjuna belongs, reminding him of the responsibility that comes with strength.
A balanced view: Spiritual life in the Gita is not about suppressing every wish. It is about purifying and directing desire and strength towards what is right. This gives the seeker a healthy and practical approach that can be followed in the midst of worldly life.
Message for Everyday Life (Ethical Ambition and Responsible Power)
Do not be ashamed of healthy aspirations: Wanting to grow, achieve, and provide for those who depend on you is natural. The test is whether the desire respects honesty, fairness, and the well-being of others.
Practical approach: Before pursuing a goal, ask, 'Will this harm anyone, and does it align with my values?' Use any strength you have, whether authority at work, physical ability, or persuasive skill, to protect and help, not to dominate. In this way, ambition and spirituality become partners instead of opponents.
Next Topic
Lord Krishna has shown that even strength and desire are sacred when they are free from craving and aligned with dharma. He now broadens the picture to include every state of mind and nature: all sattvic, rajasic, and tamasic conditions arise from Him, yet He is not bound by them.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
Strength guided by wisdom protects; strength guided by greed destroys.
Aspire, but within what is right.
The strongest person is the one who can say enough.
Desire is the fuel; righteousness is the direction.
Power without purpose is only noise.
Fulfill your needs without betraying your values.
Free of craving, strength becomes calm.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'kāma-rāga-vivarjitam' (devoid of desire and attachment) mean in relation to strength?
What is meant by 'dharma-aviruddhaḥ kāmaḥ' (desire not contrary to righteousness)?
Does this verse approve of all desires?
Why does Krishna address Arjuna as 'bharatarṣhabha' (best of the Bharatas)?
What is the practical message of this verse?
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