Desire in harmony with dharma

balaṃ balavatāṃ cāhaṃ kāmarāgavivarjitamdharmāviruddho bhūteṣu kāmo’asmi bharatarṣabha

I am the strength of the strong, free of craving. I am desire that does not oppose dharma.

What it means

Krishna gives a surprising teaching. He is the strength in the strong, when it's free of craving and clinging. And he is kama, desire, when it doesn't go against dharma, right living. Not all desire is a problem. Desire for good things, in the right way, is sacred.

The story

Krishna has warned Arjuna about desire. Now he balances it. The love of a husband and wife, the wish to protect one's family, the longing for justice, these desires, rightly held, are divine.

In your life

Think of a parent's fierce desire to keep their child safe, or someone's longing to make the world fairer. Those desires are holy. Notice one good desire in you. Honour it, and act on it rightly.