Bhagavad Gita Chapter 3, Verse 41 (BG 3.41) — Meaning, Translation & Commentary

As has been stated before, Sri Krishna does not merely propound any truth without sufficient reasoning. Here too, after rational deliberation, He imparts the teaching of subduing the senses, through the accomplishment of which the desire dwelling in the inner consciousness can be destroyed. The reason desire is called sinful here is that in its gross form, it compels us to live a life of the most degraded level. Even when desire is sattvic like smoke, our pure infinite nature cannot be fully manifested. Therefore, all kinds of desires are said to be tinged with sin to a greater or lesser degree. It is simple for a physician to prescribe medicine for a patient, but if that medicine were made from a flower that blooms in the sky, the patient could never recover. Similarly, it is simple for a Teacher to impart the teaching of sense-restraint to a disciple, but unless the Teacher provides some means to accomplish it, that teaching will be considered as impossible as medicine made from a sky-flower. The question arises: by taking refuge in what object can we renounce this desire? The answer to this question is—