Why the Bhagwat Gita Says Desire Is the Root of All Suffering

Sujeet kumar | Mar 07, 2025, 01:19 IST

In Bhagavad Gita, desire (kāma) is viewed as a natural human inclination, but its misdirection and attachment to the fruits of action are seen as sources of suffering and attachment to the cycle of rebirth. The Gita emphasizes the importance of controlling desires and focusing on duty (karma) rather than the results, leading to liberation (moksha). In that clearly mention that material desires are the starting point of sorrow, not spiritual desires. Spiritual desires are the starting point of success. Bhagavad Gita does not advocate relative concepts of success.

Detailed explanation on Desire Of Person

Krishna Illusion

Desire is Natural:
The Gita acknowledges that everyone has desires, as they are a natural part of human existence.
Misdirected Desire Causes Suffering:
The problem isn't having desires, but rather being attached to the outcomes of actions and clinging to worldly pleasures.
Control over Desires is Key: The Gita teaches that true liberation comes from controlling desires and performing actions without attachment to the results.
Focus on Duty:
Instead of obsessing over desires, the Gita emphasizes the importance of fulfilling one's duty (karma) diligently, without attachment to the outcome.
Surrender to the Divine:
Ultimately, the Gita suggests surrendering to the divine (Krishna) and letting go of attachment to the fruits of actions, which leads to peace and liberation.
Desire as a Source of Attachment:
The Gita explains that attachment to sense objects leads to desire, and from desire arises anger, which can lead to further suffering.
Purification of Desires:
The Gita suggests purifying desires by focusing on spiritual practices like bhakti-yoga (devotion) and redirecting them towards the divine.
Equanimity:
The Gita emphasizes the importance of equanimity, or remaining balanced and detached from the outcomes of actions, whether positive or negative.
Transcendence:
By controlling desires and focusing on duty, one can transcend the cycle of birth and death and attain liberation (moksha).

Clearly states In Bhagavad Gita 2.62:

"While contemplating the objects of the senses, one develops attachment to them. From attachment, desire arises, and from desire, anger is born." This verse speaks about how attachment to sensory objects leads to desires, and desires, when unfulfilled, can give rise to anger and suffering.

To Get Control Over Desires:

Simply we need to cut down all the things that enter in our mind which are fuels for increasing the fire of lust inside. Lord Krsna says in Bhagwad Gita 2.62. “While contemplating the objects of the senses, a person develops attachment for them, and from such attachment lust develops, and from lust anger arises.
Misuse of free will is the root cause of misery of living entity. By misuse of his minute free will, living entity engages in sense gratification. Everyone in this material world lives only for sense gratification and considers this sense gratification as so called happiness. But this ultimately results in misery.
The Bhagavad Gita always explains the meaning and emphasizes the importance of self-realization and the pursuit of knowledge as a means to attain spiritual enlightenment. It teaches that true wisdom lies in understanding the impermanence of the material world and recognizing the eternal nature of the soul.
Reducing desires and cultivating detachment from the fruits of actions leads to inner peace and liberation, as attachment to outcomes is a source of suffering.

Here's a more detailed explanation:

Desire as a Source of Suffering:
The Gita emphasizes that attachment to the results of our actions (or karma) and the constant pursuit of material desires are the root causes of suffering and unhappiness.
Detachment and Action:
Instead of suppressing desires entirely, the Gita advocates for performing actions without attachment to the outcomes, focusing on the duty itself rather than the potential rewards.
Inner Peace and Liberation:
By cultivating detachment and performing actions without selfish desires, one can achieve inner peace and ultimately, liberation (moksha) from the cycle of birth and death.
Bhagavad Gita 2.71:
"That person, who gives up all material desires and lives free from a sense of greed, proprietorship, and egoism, attains perfect peace."
Bhagavad Gita 2.62:
"If one person were to get all the wealth, luxuries, and sensual objects in the world, that person's desire would still not be satiated. Hence, knowing it to be the cause of misery, an intelligent person should renounce desire."
Bhagavad Gita 18.6:
"Perform your prescribed duty without attachment, for it is the means to attain the Supreme."