The concept of tṛṣṇā—meaning desire or greed—is a central theme found repeatedly across Sanskrit literature. These texts often warn about the endless, boundless nature of desire. Many verses highlight that mastering one’s āśā (desire) is like mastering the entire world, showing how desire can trap and limit us. This idea has always intrigued me deeply; after all, isn’t there a profound truth in it? By reflecting mindfully and learning from the wisdom of great poets and philosophers, we can learn to control and balance our desires, leading to greater fulfillment and clarity in life.
The first verse that truly resonated with me comes from Bhagavadpada’s Mohamudgara, renowned as “Bhaja Govindam”:
मूढ जहीहि धनागमतृष्णां कुरु सद्बुद्धिं मनसि वितृष्णाम्।
यल्लभसे निजकर्मोपात्तं वित्तं तेन विनोदय चित्तम्।।
(mūḍha jahīhi dhanāgama-tṛṣṇāṃ kuru sadbuddhiṃ manasi vitṛṣṇām |
yallabhase nijakarmopāttaṃ vittaṃ tena vinodaya cittam ||)
In this verse, Bhagavad Pada urges us to renounce the relentless craving for wealth and cultivate wisdom in the mind, free from greed. He reminds us that whatever comes our way is the fruit of our own past actions—the workings of karma. Instead of perpetually chasing more, we should find contentment in what we receive and keep our minds absorbed in higher pursuits.
Strikingly, the Acharya addresses us as “O Fool!”—a powerful reminder of how easily we become deluded, pursuing material accumulation while neglecting the supreme reality. This candid rebuke challenges us to redirect our energies away from endless acquisition and towards spiritual fulfillment.
On a similar note, he adds a few more verses to emphasize a timeless truth—the unyielding nature of desire, which lingers within us, even as age withers our body and time marches on unceasingly.
दिनयामिन्यौ सायं प्रातः शिशिरवसन्तौ पुनरायातः।
कालः क्रीडति गच्छत्यायुः तदपि न मुञ्छत्याशावायुः।।
(dinayāminyau sāyaṃ prātaḥ śiśiravasantau punarāyātaḥ |
kālaḥ krīḍati gacchatyāyuḥ tadapi na muñchatyāśāvāyuḥ ||)
Here, he vividly portrays the endless cycle of existence: day turns into night and back again, the harsh cold gives way to gentle spring, seasons change, and the sands of time slip steadily through the hourglass of life. All these transformations recur ceaselessly and inevitably, yet amidst this eternal dance of change, one constant remains—the ceaseless craving, the insatiable yearning that dwells deep within the human heart, the unrelenting greed that time itself cannot dissolve.
अङ्गं गलितं पलितं मुण्डं दशनविहीनं जातं तुण्डम्।
वृद्धो याति गृहीत्वा दण्डं तदपि न मुञ्चत्याशापिण्डम्।।
(aṅgaṃ galitaṃ palitaṃ muṇḍaṃ daśanavahīnaṃ jātaṃ tuṇḍam |
vṛddho yāti gṛhītvā daṇḍaṃ tadapi na muñcatyāśāpiṇḍam ||)
In this verse, the frailty and helplessness of old age are vividly portrayed—limbs weakened and loosened, hair turned gray, teeth lost, and the aged person walking with the support of a staff. Yet, even in this state of physical decline and vulnerability, one companion remains unwavering: greed. This powerful verse strikes a chord, revealing the persistent and unchanging nature of desire that clings to us despite everything else fading away.
Alas, we remain bound by this unbreakable connection to our own prakṛti (material nature), caught endlessly in the cycle of craving and attachment. One might naturally assume that the verses of the Bhagavad Pada are inherently profound, filled with deep and thought-provoking insights that invite reflection and contemplation, so it is no surprise to encounter such wisdom there. However, there is another powerful verse from Chanakya Nīti (4.6) that offers a striking perspective on the nature of greed and attachment:
आशा नाम मनुष्याणां काचिदाश्चर्यशृङ्खला ।
यया बद्धाः प्रधावन्ति मुक्ताः स्थाणुवदाचलाः ॥
(āśā nāma manuṣyāṇāṃ kācidāścarya-śṛṅkhalā |
yayā baddhāḥ pradhāvanti muktāḥ sthāṇuvadācalāḥ ||)
This verse can be understood as: Attachment—or desire—is like a remarkable and binding chain that holds humans captive. Those caught in its links keep endlessly striving, restless and unsteady, while those who free themselves from this bondage stand firm and unmoved, like a solid, immovable pillar.
What Chanakya is telling us here is that hope and desire act as invisible shackles that keep people in constant motion—always striving, longing, and chasing after something more. This ceaseless running prevents true peace and stability.
On the other hand, when one is freed from such attachments, they gain profound steadiness and inner strength. They become immovable and resilient, no longer driven by restless cravings or external urges.
This verse, like many others, highlights a universal human challenge: our hopes and desires often act as invisible chains, driving us to chase worldly goals without end. True liberation, however, comes when we learn to detach from these desires and cultivate inner peace and calm.
Lastly, the verse that truly captured my attention and inspired me to write an entire post about tṛṣṇā comes from Sankalpa Suryodaya, a dramatic allegory composed by the eminent Āchārya Vedānta Desika. In this brilliant play, Swami personifies various human emotions and qualities as living characters, skillfully illustrating complex inner struggles in a vivid and relatable manner. Here, tṛṣṇā—meaning desire or greed—is depicted as the wife of lobha, who personifies avarice. Quite the fitting and inseparable pair, isn’t it? The play itself is a treasure of profound wisdom, showcasing the remarkable imaginative genius and philosophical depth of the great Āchārya.
कनककलधौतशैलप्रभृतिभिरपि हन्त पूरणैः क्षिप्तैः।
तृष्णे! भजति समृद्धिं भूयो भूयस्तवोदरे कार्श्यम्।।
(kanakakala-dhauta-śaila-prabhṛtibhirapi hanta pūraṇaiḥ kṣiptaiḥ |
tṛṣṇe! bhajati samṛddhiṃ bhūyo bhūyastavodare kārśyam ||)
This verse is spoken by Lobha to his wife Tṛṣṇā, vividly capturing the insatiable and never-ending nature of desire. Lobha admires his wife’s slender waist and reflects that no matter how much wealth—even towering mountains of refined gold—is poured into her depths, desire remains unsatisfied. Her “stomach” only grows leaner, symbolizing the relentless, self-consuming hunger of greed. This striking poetic image serves as a powerful reminder that desire, by its very essence, can never be truly fulfilled.
In essence, tṛṣṇā—desire or craving—is a powerful force that often binds us to cycles of longing and dissatisfaction. Yet, through meditation on the Lord and devotion inspired by the wisdom of our ancestors, we find a path to liberation from this endless hunger. By turning inward, cultivating mindfulness, and following the spiritual footsteps laid down by those before us, we can gradually free ourselves from the chains of desire. This journey is not about simply suppressing our cravings but transforming our relationship with them—leading to a life of balance, peace, and true fulfillment.
Feature Image Credit: istockphoto.com
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