Rama Names Desire, Anger, and Greed as Three Enemies of Terrible Strength
Aranya Kanda, Doha 39
Doha 39 · Movement 2 of 2
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Rama turns from the spring army to the powers moving within it. Desire, anger, and greed are three exceedingly strong enemies. In a single instant they can disturb even the minds of sages who are dwellings of realized knowledge.
Each enemy draws force from a particular ally. Greed is strengthened by craving and pretension. Desire receives its concentrated power through woman. Anger is armed by harsh speech, words whose injury gives fury a place to rise and answer.
The great sages have considered these forces and named their supports. The teaching does not underestimate knowledge, but it refuses to mistake knowledge for invulnerability. A mind may contain illumination and still need vigilance at the instant when craving, attraction, or a cutting word enters.
Three enemies wait at the gates of the wise, each carrying the weapon that gives it strength.
Read the passage from the Manas
तात तीनि अति प्रबल खल काम क्रोध अरु लोभ। मुनि बिग्यान धाम मन करहिं निमिष महुँ छोभ।।38(क)।। लोभ कें इच्छा दंभ बल काम कें केवल नारि। क्रोध के परुष बचन बल मुनिबर कहहिं बिचारि।।38(ख)।।
Dear brother, three enemies are supremely powerful: kama, krodha, and lobha. They disturb the minds of sages, though they be abodes of vijnana, in an instant. Lobha draws its strength from desire and pride, kama draws its power from woman alone. Krodha's strength lies in harsh words; thus declare the great munis after deep reflection.