कामक्रोधवियुक्तानां यतीनां यतचेतसाम् | अभितो ब्रह्मनिर्वाणं वर्तते विदितात्मनाम् || 26 || |
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“Those who have conquered kāma and krodha, disciplined their mind and realized their self, are completely free both in this world and in the beyond.”
Commentary :
Desire, or kāma, manifests in two distinct forms: Shubh kāma (noble desires) and dushta kāma (selfish desires). Shubh kāma (शुभकामा), also known as Sat kāma (सत्कामा) encompasses noble aspirations that lead to virtuous actions, or Satkarma (सत्कर्मा). Dushta kāma (दुष्टकामा) on the other hand, represents selfish desires focused solely on personal benefit and pleasure. It includes not only cravings for sensual gratification but also manipulative behaviors aimed at controlling others for one’s own gain, such as threats, gaslighting, or deceit. Kāma in this verse refers to dusht kāma, the first obstacle in the list of Arishad-vargas or the six gates to hell, namely – Kāma, Krodha, Lobha, Moha, Mada, and Mātsarya.
Krodha or Anger, often arises from unfulfilled desires, particularly those rooted in selfishness and ego. As a response to thwarted kāma, anger clouds judgment and fuels destructive impulses, further entrenching the individual in ignorance and suffering.
With age, the mind naturally gravitates towards doubt, fear, and complacency. Doubts about self-worth, fear of failure or rejection, and complacency in seeking transient comforts characterize this state. Overcoming these innate tendencies requires cultivating noble desires, or Satkāma, which ignite vitality and vigor aimed at benefiting humanity as a whole. Recognizing the inherent interconnectedness of all beings fosters empathy and compassion, seeing others not as strangers but as extensions of oneself.
Suffering pervades even seemingly prosperous situations due to ignorance. We suffer from that which we do not know therefore liberation from suffering lies in seeking true shelter (शरण) in Cosmic Consciousness. By conquering dishonorable desires, disciplining the mind, and realizing union with the divine, one achieves freedom both in this life and beyond, as elucidated by Lord Krishna.