धूमेनाव्रियते वह्निर्यथादर्शो मलेन च | यथोल्बेनावृतो गर्भस्तथा तेनेदमावृतम् ||३-३८||
dhūmenāvriyate vahniryathādarśo malena ca . yatholbenāvṛto garbhastathā tenedamāvṛtam ||3-38||
Chapter 3 · Verse 38
Karma Yoga
कर्मयोग
In plain words
You must realize how easily your inner wisdom is obscured by selfish desire, just as smoke hides a fire or dust covers a mirror. This constant craving acts like maya, the illusion that distorts reality, veiling your true spiritual nature. Recognizing this cover allows you to see past the fog of worldly distractions and reclaim your clarity.
Translation
3.38 As a fire is enveloped by smoke, as a mirror is covered by dust, and as an embryo is encased in the membrane, so is this (worldA) enveloped by it (desire).
Meaning
This means the universe. This also means knowledge. That means desire.
Word by word
धूमेन by smoke आव्रियते is enveloped वह्निः fire यथा as आदर्शः a mirror मलेन by dust च and यथा as उल्बेन by the amnion आवृतः enveloped गर्भः embryo तथा so तेन by it इदम् this आवृतम् enveloped.