Bg. 3.38 · Bhagavad-gita As It Is

Devanagari

धूमेनाव्रियते वह्निर्यथादर्शो मलेन च । यथोल्बेनावृतो गर्भस्तथा तेनेदमावृत्तम् ॥ ३८ ॥

Verse text

dhūmenāvriyate vahnir yathādarśo malena ca yatholbenāvṛto garbhas tathā tenedam āvṛtam

Synonyms

dhūmena — by smoke ; āvriyate — is covered ; vahniḥ — fire ; yathā — just as ; ādarśaḥ — mirror ; malena — by dust ; ca — also ; yathā — just as ; ulbena — by the womb ; āvṛtaḥ — is covered ; garbhaḥ — embryo ; tathā — so ; tena — by that lust ; idam — this ; āvṛtam — is covered.

Translation

As fire is covered by smoke, as a mirror is covered by dust, or as the embryo is covered by the womb, the living entity is similarly covered by different degrees of this lust.

Translation (Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura)

38. As fire is covered by smoke, the mirror by dust, or embryo by the womb, so the universe is covered by lust.

Translation (Baladeva Vidyabhusana)

38. As fire is covered by smoke, the mirror by dust, or embryo by the womb, so knowledge is covered by lust.

Purport

There are three degrees of covering of the living entity by which his pure consciousness is obscured. This covering is but lust under different manifestations like smoke in the fire, dust on the mirror, and the womb about the embryo. When lust is compared to smoke, it is understood that the fire of the living spark can be a little perceived. In other words, when the living entity exhibits his Kṛṣṇa consciousness slightly, he may be likened to the fire covered by smoke. Although fire is necessary where there is smoke, there is no overt manifestation of fire in the early stage. This stage is like the beginning of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. The dust on the mirror refers to a cleansing process of the mirror of the mind by so many spiritual methods. The best process is to chant the holy names of the Lord. The embryo covered by the womb is an analogy illustrating a helpless position, for the child in the womb is so helpless that he cannot even move. This stage of living condition can be compared to that of the trees. The trees are also living entities, but they have been put in such a condition of life by such a great exhibition of lust that they are almost void of all consciousness. The covered mirror is compared to the birds and beasts, and the smoke-covered fire is compared to the human being. In the form of a human being, the living entity may revive a little Kṛṣṇa consciousness, and, if he makes further development, the fire of spiritual life can be kindled in the human form of life. By careful handling of the smoke in the fire, fire can be made to blaze. Therefore the human form of life is a chance for the living entity to escape the entanglement of material existence. In the human form of life, one can conquer the enemy, lust, by cultivation of Kṛṣṇa consciousness under able guidance.

Purport (Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura)

Lust is not just an enemy for some, but an enemy for all. This is explained with examples. The examples illustrate various degrees of lust: shallow, deep and very deep. The fire, though covered by smoke, still performs its function of burning. Because of the disappearance of its natural clarity, the mirror covered by dust does not carry out its function of reflecting images properly, though it is known as a mirror by its form (in spite of the dust covering it). The fetus covered by the womb cannot perform its functions of stretching its hands and feet. Its true form cannot be understood within that covering. When lust is shallow, it is possible to remember the spiritual goals. When lust is deep, it is not possible. When it is very deep, one becomes unconscious. In this way, the universe (idam) is covered by lust.

Purport (Baladeva Vidyabhusana)

Examples of smoke, dust and womb are given to illustrate three stages of kāma’s influence: slight, medium and intense. The fire covered by smoke is not bright, but is able to perform its function of heating to some degree. The mirror covered with dust cannot receive the reflection because of the disappearance of its clean surface. The embryo covered by the womb cannot stretch its legs, nor can it be perceived. In the same way, knowledge covered slightly by kāma can grasp something of truth. Knowledge covered moderately however cannot grasp the truth. Knowledge intensely covered by kāma cannot even function and cannot even be perceived (as knowledge).

Surrender Unto Me

These three examples given are all in increasing order of heaviness of the covering. "As fire is covered by smoke". When fire is there but is covered by smoke one still can use the fire. This type of covering is not very thick because the fire can still be used. And heat and light are still coming from it. It still does its work. But, "when the mirror is covered by dust" it is more thick because one can't see himself. The work of the mirror can't be done because of the covering and one can't see himself in it. But one can at least see the mirror. And the most thick is "the embryo covered by womb" because the child in the womb cannot move or function, he can't do anything, and also one cannot even see it, because it is within the womb.