Chapter 3 · Verse 38

Path of Selfless Service

धूमेनाव्रियते वह्निर्यथाऽऽदर्शो मलेन च। यथोल्बेनावृतो गर्भस्तथा तेनेदमावृतम्
dhūmenāvriyate vahnir yathādarśho malena cha yatholbenāvṛito garbhas tathā tenedam āvṛitam

Word Meanings

dhūmena āvriyate vahniḥ yathā ādarśhaḥ malena cha yathā ulbena āvṛitaḥ garbhaḥ tathā tena idam āvṛitam

Translation

As fire is covered by smoke, a mirror by dust, and an embryo by the womb, so is wisdom veiled by desire.

Commentary

धूमेन by smoke? आव्रियते is enveloped? वह्निः fire? यथा as? आदर्शः a mirror? मलेन by dust? च and? यथा as? उल्बेन by the amnion? आवृतः enveloped? गर्भः embryo? तथा so? तेन by it? इदम् this? आवृतम् enveloped.Commentary This means the universe. This also means knowledge. That means desire.