evaṁ buddheḥ paraṁ buddhvā saṁstabhyātmānam ātmanā jahi śatruṁ mahā-bāho kāma-rūpaṁ durāsadam
"Thus knowing the Self to be superior to the intellect, O mighty-armed one, steady the mind with the Self and slay this formidable enemy in the form of desire."
What This Means:
Here's the final instruction: Know that the Self is higher than even the intellect. Stabilize yourself in that Self. From that position of strength, destroy this difficult enemy called desire. Fight from the highest ground.
Going Deeper:
The chapter concludes with the ultimate strategy. 'Buddhva' (having known) the Self's supremacy, 'samstabhya' (having steadied) the lower self with the higher Self, one can then 'jahi' (slay) the enemy. 'Durasada' (difficult to approach, formidable) acknowledges desire's power—this isn't an easy enemy. But fighting from Self-knowledge, you have the advantage. The warrior metaphor is complete: know your position (Self), stabilize your forces (mind/intellect), then engage the enemy (desire).
How To Apply This:
When desire attacks, don't fight from ego—you'll lose. Step back into the witnessing awareness that watches desires arise. From that stable place, you have perspective. Desire seems less urgent, less 'you.' From Self-knowledge, say no to desire not as deprivation but as freedom. This is how you win.
Key Sanskrit Terms: