Illustration for Bhagavad Gita chapter 16 verse 10
Chapter 16 · Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga

Insatiable vs. Grounded Desire · Wanting Without Losing Yourself

काममाश्रित्य दुष्पूरं दम्भमानमदान्विताः । मोहाद्गृहीत्वासद्ग्राहान्प्रवर्तन्तेऽशुचिव्रताः ॥

kāmam āśritya duṣpūraṁ dambha-māna-madānvitāḥ mohād gṛhītvāsad-grāhān pravartante 'śuci-vratāḥ

Meaning

"Clinging to insatiable desire, filled with hypocrisy, pride, and arrogance, holding false views out of delusion, they act with impure resolve."

Explanation

Desire itself isn't condemned here — it's insatiable, ungrounded desire chasing false ideas that leads somewhere unhealthy. Wanting things is human; it's the unchecked, deluded chasing that causes harm.

Today's Life Lesson

It's fine to want things today — just check whether that wanting is grounded or has become an endless chase.

More verses to reflect on