Bhagavad Gita BG 7.11
Chapter 7, Verse 11 — Meaning, Translation & Explanation
बलं बलवतां चाहं कामरागविवर्जितम् । धर्माविरुद्धो भूतेषु कामोऽस्मि भरतर्षभ ॥
balam balavatam caham kama-raga-vivarjitam dharmaviruddho bhuteshu kamo 'smi bharatarshabha
Meaning
I am the strength of the strong, free from desire and passion. I am the desire in beings that is not contrary to dharma, O Best of the Bharatas.
Understanding
The strength (balam) of the strong (balavatam) — but kama-raga-vivarjitam (free from desire and passion). Pure strength, not ego-driven power. And one of the most nuanced statements in the Gita: dharmaviruddho kamo 'smi bhuteshu — I am the kama (desire, love, creative longing) in beings that is NOT contrary to dharma. Not all kama is divine — only the kama that flows in alignment with dharma. The divine is in desire WHEN it is not ego-driven and not contrary to right order.
Word by Word
| Word | IAST | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| बलवताम् | balavatam | of the strong ones |
| कामरागविवर्जितम् | kama-raga-vivarjitam | free from desire and passion |
| धर्माविरुद्धः | dharmaviruddhah | not contrary to dharma, in accord with right order |
| भरतर्षभ | bharatarshabha | Best of the Bharatas (address for Arjuna) |
| बलम् | balam | strength, power |
| बलवताम् | balavatām | of the strong |
| च | ca | and |
| अहम् | aham | I am |
| काम-राग-विवर्जितम् | kāma-rāga-vivarjitam | free from desire and attachment |
| धर्माविरुद्धः | dharmāviruddhaḥ | not contrary to dharma |
| भूतेषु | bhūteṣu | in beings |
| कामः | kāmaḥ | desire, lust |
| अस्मि | asmi | I am |
| भारतर्षभ | bhārataṛṣabha | O best of the Bharatas |