VERSE 26

One need not get rid of desires that are not opposed to Dharma. The desire and the zest that we feel to do our duties in our life in the world are not Kaama. That kind of desire (which is in tune with dharma) is not condemned. Such desire is a part of God Himself. it is the soul force in our inner being. It is a part of the Supreme Sakti that is co-extensive with the cosmos. Speaking to Arjuna in the Gita, Sri Krishna said:

'If you see in men energy devoid of wrong desires and evil impulses, know that that energy is I Myself. If you see in men's minds desire not opposed to dharma, know I am that desire.'

All good desires not opposed to dharma should be looked on as a part of God himself. There is one thing more to be noted. This too has been emphasized in the Bhagavad Gita. Because one finds he cannot get rid of all vice, one should not desist from making endeavor. If the mind is turned to right ways, even if sometimes it is not effective in the intended manner, that effort itself will do well on the whole. Sri Sankara wants us to get rid of all faults.

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