Bhagavad Gita Chapter 7, Verse 11

English Translation

And of the strong I am the strength which is devoid of passion and attachment. Among creatures I am desire which is not contrary to righteousness, O scion of the Bharata dyansty.

Detailed Commentary

**7.11** Commentary—Regarding "'Balaṁ balavatāṁ cāhaṁ kāmarāgavivarjitam'" (And I am the strength of the strong, devoid of desire and attachment)—even while performing difficult tasks, if there is within us pure and unblemished enthusiasm, devoid of desire (kāmanā) and attachment (āsakti), that is called 'Bala' (strength). This Bala is the very form of Bhagavān, and therefore, this Bala is worthy of acceptance. In the Gītā, Bhagavān Himself has explained Bala. In the fifth verse of the seventeenth chapter, the Bala mentioned in the phrase 'kāmarāgabalānvitāḥ' (those endowed with strength born of desire and attachment), if it is filled with desire and attachment, indicates stubbornness (haṭha) and is not the nature of Bhagavān; rather, it is to be renounced (tyājya). Similarly, the Bala mentioned in 'siddho'haṁ balavān sukhī' (Gītā 16.14) and 'ahaṅkāraṁ balaṁ darpam' (Gītā 16.18) is also to be renounced. In the thirty-fourth verse of the sixth chapter, the Bala in 'balavaddṛḍham' is an adjective of the mind and is also an Āsuri sampatti (demonic attribute) because it contains desire and attachment. But the Bala mentioned here (in 7.11) is devoid of desire and attachment; therefore, it indicates Sāttvika (pure, virtuous) enthusiasm and is acceptable (grāhya). The Bala mentioned in the eighth verse of the seventeenth chapter, 'āyuḥsattvabalārogy...', also indicates this Sāttvika Bala. "'Dharmāviruddho bhūteṣu kāmo'smi Bharatarṣabha'" (I am Kāma (desire) in beings which is not contrary to Dharma, O best of the Bhāratas)—Arjuna! Among humans, the Kāma (desire) that is not contrary to Dharma is My own form. The Kāma which, according to the Śāstras (scriptures) and tradition (Maryādā), arises with a pure intention solely for procreation, is under human control. But the Kāma that is for mere sensual enjoyment makes a person subservient and causes him to indulge in Kāma contrary to the Śāstras. Such Kāma becomes the cause of downfall and suffering. Engaging in Kāma solely for enjoyment by preventing conception through artificial means is a doorway to great hells. One who can procreate is called a 'Puruṣa' (man), and one who can conceive is called a 'Strī' (woman). If a Puruṣa and a Strī destroy their capacity for procreation, they are worthy of being called impotent. Due to their impotency (nampuṁsakatā), they do not have the right (adhikār) to perform religious rites. If the Mātṛśakti (maternal power) in a Strī is destroyed, she cannot even be addressed as 'Mā' (Mother). Therefore, one should, according to the Śāstras and Maryādā, engage in Kāma solely for procreation, or observe Brahmacharya (celibacy).