Bhagavad Gita 7.27 — Desire and Aversion Bewilder All Beings from Birth
इच्छाद्वेषसमुत्थेन द्वन्द्वमोहेन भारत ।
सर्वभूतानि सम्मोहं सर्गे यान्ति परन्तप ॥ ७.२७ ॥
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O descendant of Bharata, all beings in creation fall into delusion at birth, deluded by the dualities that arise from desire and aversion, O conqueror of enemies.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| ichchhā-dveṣha-samutthena | arising from desire and aversion |
| dvandva-mohena | by the delusion of dualities |
| bhārata | O descendant of Bharata |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| sarva-bhūtāni | all beings |
| sammoham | into delusion |
| sarge | at birth, in creation |
| yānti | fall, go |
| parantapa | O conqueror of enemies |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| ichchhā-dveṣha-samutthena | arising from desire and aversion | sarva-bhūtāni | all beings |
| dvandva-mohena | by the delusion of dualities | sammoham | into delusion |
| bhārata | O descendant of Bharata | sarge | at birth, in creation |
| yānti | fall, go | ||
| parantapa | O conqueror of enemies | ||
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
Lord Krishna now identifies the root cause of the bewilderment of living beings. At birth, all creatures fall into delusion, born of the pairs of opposites arising from desire and aversion.
Essence
The Delusion of Opposites
In the previous verses, Lord Krishna spoke of the veil over the Supreme. Here He explains how that veil operates within the mind of each living being. The cause of ignorance is not simply the absence of information, but the pull of likes and dislikes.
Icchā-dveṣa-samutthena (arising from desire and aversion): Two forces, icchā (attraction) and dveṣa (repulsion), shape much of our experience. We are drawn towards what we like and push away what we dislike. These two form the basic movement of the unreflective mind.
Dvandva-mohena (by the delusion of the pairs of opposites): The word dvandva means 'pair', such as pleasure and pain, heat and cold, success and failure, praise and blame. The mind lives in the swing between them. We treat one side as desirable and the other as unbearable, and so we forget the deeper reality that remains the same through all changes.
Sarva-bhūtāni sammohaṁ sarge yānti (all beings are bewildered at birth): The word sarge refers to creation or birth. Every living being enters the world already conditioned by tendencies from earlier lives, and is therefore prone to this delusion from the start.
Bhārata and parantapa (descendant of Bharata and scorcher of foes): Arjuna is addressed with titles of heroism, as if to say that he, a great warrior, should be able to master even this inner enemy.
Why this matters: It is easy to think that our problems come from outside circumstances. The Gita points inward: our suffering is greatly increased by our reactions of craving and aversion. When we learn to be less swept by these two, the veil begins to lift.
Message for Everyday Life (Loosening the Grip of Likes and Dislikes)
Notice your automatic reactions: Many of our daily frustrations arise from small aversions, such as irritation at traffic, a colleague's manner, or an unwelcome remark, and from small cravings, such as the urge to check a phone.
Practical approach: When a strong like or dislike arises, pause for a breath and observe it before acting. Ask whether the situation truly deserves such a strong reaction. Practising this pause regularly makes the mind steadier and more balanced, and creates room for clearer perception.
The Delusion of Opposites
In the previous verses, Lord Krishna spoke of the veil over the Supreme. Here He explains how that veil operates within the mind of each living being. The cause of ignorance is not simply the absence of information, but the pull of likes and dislikes.
Icchā-dveṣa-samutthena (arising from desire and aversion): Two forces, icchā (attraction) and dveṣa (repulsion), shape much of our experience. We are drawn towards what we like and push away what we dislike. These two form the basic movement of the unreflective mind.
Dvandva-mohena (by the delusion of the pairs of opposites): The word dvandva means 'pair', such as pleasure and pain, heat and cold, success and failure, praise and blame. The mind lives in the swing between them. We treat one side as desirable and the other as unbearable, and so we forget the deeper reality that remains the same through all changes.
Sarva-bhūtāni sammohaṁ sarge yānti (all beings are bewildered at birth): The word sarge refers to creation or birth. Every living being enters the world already conditioned by tendencies from earlier lives, and is therefore prone to this delusion from the start.
Bhārata and parantapa (descendant of Bharata and scorcher of foes): Arjuna is addressed with titles of heroism, as if to say that he, a great warrior, should be able to master even this inner enemy.
Why this matters: It is easy to think that our problems come from outside circumstances. The Gita points inward: our suffering is greatly increased by our reactions of craving and aversion. When we learn to be less swept by these two, the veil begins to lift.
Message for Everyday Life (Loosening the Grip of Likes and Dislikes)
Notice your automatic reactions: Many of our daily frustrations arise from small aversions, such as irritation at traffic, a colleague's manner, or an unwelcome remark, and from small cravings, such as the urge to check a phone.
Practical approach: When a strong like or dislike arises, pause for a breath and observe it before acting. Ask whether the situation truly deserves such a strong reaction. Practising this pause regularly makes the mind steadier and more balanced, and creates room for clearer perception.
Next Topic
Lord Krishna has identified the delusion of dualities born of desire and aversion as the cause of bewilderment. A natural question follows: who can free themselves from this delusion? In the next verse, He describes those whose sins have come to an end and who worship Him with firm resolve.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
Neither cling nor push away.
Between a like and a dislike lies a chance to choose.
Preference paints the picture.
A calm mind sees without taking sides.
Opposites bind only those who identify with them.
To see the pattern is to start leaving it.
Less reactivity, more clarity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'dvandva-mohena' (by the delusion of dualities) mean?
How do 'ichchhā' (desire) and 'dveṣha' (aversion) cause delusion?
What does 'sarge' (at birth, in creation) imply?
Who is addressed as 'parantapa' (conqueror of enemies)?
What is the practical message of this verse?
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