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Bhagavad Gita Chapter 7 Verse 11 Meaning in Hindi & English

By Lakshay Sharma | On 29 June, 2026 | Views

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 7 Verse 11 continues Lord Krishna's explanation of His divine manifestations in the world.

In the previous verse, Krishna declared that He is the eternal seed of all living beings, the intelligence of the intelligent, and the brilliance of the brilliant. Now, He explains that He is the strength of the strong when it is free from selfish desire and attachment, and He is also the righteous desire that is in harmony with Dharma (righteousness).

This verse teaches that strength, ambition, and desire are not wrong in themselves. They become divine when they are guided by selflessness, discipline, and righteousness.

Bhagavad Gita 7.11 – Divine Strength and Righteous Desire

Krishna explains:

I am the strength of the strong.
True strength is free from selfish desire and attachment.
I am the desire that is not opposed to Dharma.
Strength and ambition become sacred when used for righteous purposes.
God supports actions that promote truth, justice, and compassion.

The essence of this verse is that power becomes divine when it is guided by righteousness rather than ego or selfishness.

Bhagavad Gita 7.11 – Sanskrit Shlok & Transliteration

Sanskrit Shlok

बलं बलवतां चाहं कामरागविवर्जितम् । धर्माविरुद्धो भूतेषु कामोऽस्मि भरतर्षभ ॥ ११ ॥

Shlok in Hinglish

Balam Balavatam Chaham Kama-Raga-Vivarjitam Dharmaviruddho Bhuteshu Kamo'smi Bharatarshabha

English Transliteration

balaṁ balavatāṁ cāha Kāma-rāga-vivarjitam dharmāviruddho bhūteṣu kāmo 'smi bharatarṣabha

Word-by-Word Meaning (शब्दार्थ)

Sanskrit Word	Hindi Meaning	English Meaning
बलम् (Balam)	बल	Strength
बलवताम् (Balavatam)	बलवानों का	Of the strong
च (Cha)	और	And
अहम् (Aham)	मैं हूँ	I am
काम (Kama)	इच्छा	Desire
राग (Raga)	आसक्ति	Attachment
विवर्जितम् (Vivarjitam)	रहित	Free from
धर्म (Dharma)	धर्म	Righteousness
अविरुद्धः (Aviruddhah)	विरोध न करने वाला	Not opposed to
भूतेषु (Bhuteshu)	सभी प्राणियों में	In all living beings
कामः (Kamah)	इच्छा	Desire
अस्मि (Asmi)	मैं हूँ	I am
भरतर्षभ (Bharatarshabha)	हे भरतश्रेष्ठ अर्जुन	O best of the Bharatas

Verse Meaning (अनुवाद)

Hindi Meaning (हिंदी अनुवाद)

हे भरतश्रेष्ठ अर्जुन! मैं बलवानों का वह बल हूँ जो कामना और आसक्ति से रहित है। तथा मैं वह इच्छा हूँ जो धर्म के विरुद्ध नहीं है।

English Meaning

O best of the Bharatas, I am the strength of the strong that is free from selfish desire and attachment. I am also the desire in all living beings that is in harmony with righteousness (Dharma).

Deep Insights & Philosophical Context

1. Strength Is a Divine Gift

Krishna declares:

"Balam Balavatam Chaham"

"I am the strength of the strong."

Strength can take many forms:

Physical strength.
Mental resilience.
Moral courage.
Emotional stability.
Spiritual determination.

Every genuine form of strength originates from God.

2. Strength Without Ego

Krishna immediately adds an important qualification:

"Kama-Raga-Vivarjitam"

Strength becomes divine only when it is free from:

Selfish ambition.
Pride.
Greed.
Attachment.
The desire to dominate others.

Power without humility leads to suffering.

Power guided by righteousness becomes a blessing.

3. Is Desire Always Wrong?

Many people misunderstand the Bhagavad Gita by thinking that all desires must be abandoned.

Krishna clarifies that this is not the case.

He says:

"Dharmaviruddho Kamo'smi"

"I am the desire that is not opposed to Dharma."

This means that desires aligned with righteousness are sacred.

Examples include the desire to:

Learn.
Help others.
Build a family.
Serve society.
Worship God.
Improve oneself.
Protect justice.

Such aspirations support spiritual growth rather than hinder it.

4. Dharma as the Guiding Principle

Dharma acts like a compass.

Before pursuing any desire, Krishna encourages us to ask:

Is it honest?
Does it harm anyone?
Does it benefit society?
Does it strengthen my character?

If the answer is yes, then the desire is consistent with Dharma.

5. Balancing Ambition and Spirituality

Krishna does not reject ambition.

Instead, He teaches us to purify it.

Healthy ambition inspires:

Excellence.
Service.
Innovation.
Responsibility.

Selfish ambition creates:

Anxiety.
Jealousy.
Conflict.
Ego.

The difference lies in intention.

6. Real Success Is Righteous Success

Success gained through dishonesty eventually leads to suffering.

Success earned through integrity brings lasting peace.

Krishna reminds us that strength, talent, and desire become meaningful only when used according to Dharma.

Life Lessons from Bhagavad Gita 7.11

1. Use Strength Responsibly

Power should protect, not oppress.

Modern Takeaway:

Use your abilities to uplift others instead of seeking personal superiority.

2. Choose Righteous Goals

Not every desire deserves pursuit.

Modern Takeaway:

Let your ambitions align with honesty and compassion.

3. Build Inner Strength

The greatest victories are often over our own weaknesses.

Modern Takeaway:

Develop patience, discipline, and emotional resilience.

4. Let Dharma Guide Decisions

Values matter more than shortcuts.

Modern Takeaway:

Choose integrity even when it is difficult.

Modern-Day Relevance

Today's world often encourages:

Competition at any cost.
Power without responsibility.
Success without ethics.
Wealth without compassion.

Krishna offers a different perspective.

He teaches that true greatness comes from:

Ethical leadership.
Self-control.
Service.
Courage guided by wisdom.

Whether in business, education, family life, or public service, righteous strength creates lasting success.

Practical Example

Imagine two athletes.

Both are physically strong.

One uses performance-enhancing drugs and cheats to win.

The other trains honestly, respects the rules, and inspires others through discipline.

Both possess strength, but only the second demonstrates the kind of strength Krishna describes—power guided by integrity and free from selfish attachment.

Similarly, every goal we pursue should be aligned with righteousness rather than ego.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q.1 What is the main teaching of Bhagavad Gita 7.11?

Ans: Krishna teaches that true strength is free from selfish desire and attachment, and that righteous desires aligned with Dharma are divine.

Q.2 Does the Bhagavad Gita condemn all desires?

Ans: No. Krishna approves desires that are consistent with Dharma and contribute to personal growth, service, and righteousness.

Q.3 What is meant by "strength free from attachment"?

Ans: It refers to strength that is not driven by ego, greed, pride, or the desire to dominate others.

Q.4 What is Dharma in this verse?

Ans: Dharma refers to righteous conduct, moral duty, truthfulness, justice, and living according to ethical principles.

Q.5 How can this verse be applied today?

Ans: By pursuing success ethically, using our strengths to serve others, and ensuring that our goals are guided by integrity rather than selfishness.

Practical Applications of Bhagavad Gita 7.11

Develop Character Alongside Strength

Focus on both personal excellence and moral integrity.

Examine Your Motivations

Before pursuing a goal, ask whether it aligns with your values.

Practice Self-Control

Avoid allowing anger, greed, or ego to control your decisions.

Use Your Talents for Good

Apply your abilities to improve the lives of others.

Ask Yourself

Is my ambition aligned with Dharma?
Do I use my strengths responsibly?
What desires bring me closer to my higher purpose?
Am I acting from service or from ego?

Related Verses to Explore Next

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 7 Verse 10 – Krishna as the eternal seed of all life.
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 7 Verse 12 – The three modes of material nature.
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 3 Verse 37 – Desire and anger as obstacles.
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 16 Verse 1–3 – The divine qualities.
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18 Verse 46 – Serving God through one's own duties.

Conclusion

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 7 Verse 11 teaches that strength, desire, and ambition are not inherently good or bad—they become noble when guided by Dharma. Lord Krishna reveals that He is the strength of those who are free from selfish attachment and the righteous desire that promotes truth, justice, and spiritual growth.

This verse inspires us to pursue success with integrity, cultivate inner strength, and ensure that our goals serve both ourselves and the greater good. By aligning our power with righteousness, we transform ordinary achievements into acts of devotion.

The timeless lesson of this verse is:

"True strength is guided by humility, true desire is guided by Dharma, and both become divine when dedicated to the welfare of all."

Harishyam Arts

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Lakshay Sharma

I’m Lakshay Sharma, a writer with a deep passion for Hindu mythology, Vastu Shastra, and home interiors. I enjoy exploring the rich traditions of Hindu gods and goddesses, sharing insights into Vastu principles, and offering guidance on creating sacred spaces like Puja Mandirs. Through my writing, I aim to inspire harmony and spiritual well-being, blending traditional knowledge with modern perspectives.

Harishyam Arts | Jaipur

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