Bhagavad Gita 16.2

Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga · English Translation

Harmlessness, truth, absence of anger, renunciation, peacefulness, absence of crookedness, compassion towards beings, non-covetousness, gentleness, modesty, absence of fickleness.

Sanskrit

अहिंसा सत्यमक्रोधस्त्यागः शान्तिरपैशुनम् | दया भूतेष्वलोलुप्त्वं मार्दवं ह्रीरचापलम् ||१६-२||

Transliteration

ahiṃsā satyamakrodhastyāgaḥ śāntirapaiśunam . dayā bhūteṣvaloluptvaṃ mārdavaṃ hrīracāpalam ||16-2||

What Does This Verse Mean?

In this verse, Lord Krishna describes the qualities that define a person with divine nature to his friend and warrior Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. He lists eleven specific virtues including non-violence, truthfulness, forgiveness, compassion, and modesty as essential traits for spiritual growth. The core teaching is that adopting these behaviors purifies one's character and aligns them with higher consciousness rather than destructive impulses.

The Teaching Behind It

This verse is foundational to Karma Yoga, specifically detailing 'Sattva Guna' (the mode of goodness) which purifies the mind for selfless action. It establishes that external actions like renunciation or non-violence are not just moral rules but necessary disciplines to stabilize the intellect and prepare it for higher knowledge.

Word by Word

अहिंसा harmlessness, सत्यम् truth, अक्रोधः absence of anger, त्यागः renunciation, शान्तिः peacefulness, अपैशुनम् absence of crookedness, दया compassion, भूतेषु in beings, अलोलुप्त्वम् noncovetousness, मार्दवम् gentleness, ह्रीः modesty, अचापलम् absence of fickleness

Classical Commentary

Ahimsa Noninjury in thought, word and deed. By refraining from injuring living creatures the outgoing forces of Rajas are curbed. Ahimsa is divided into physical, verbal and mental. Satyam Truth Speaking of things as they are, without uttering unpleasant words or lies. This includes selfrestraint, absence of jealousy, forgiveness, patience, endurance and kindness. Akrodhah Absence of anger when insulted, ruked or beaten, i.e., even under the gravest provocation. Tyagah Renunciation -- literally, giving up giving up of Vasanas, egoism and the fruits of action. Charity is also Tyaga. This has already been mentioned in the previous verse. Santih Serenity of the mind. Apaisunam Absence of narrowmindedness. Daya Compassion to those who are in distress. A man of compassion has a tender heart. He lives only for the benefit of the world. Compassion indicates realisation of unity or oneness with other creatures. Aloluptvam Noncovetousness. The senses are not affected or excited when they come in contact with their respective objects the senses are withdrawn from the objects of the senses, just as the limbs of the tortoise are withdrawn by it into its own shell. Hrih It is shame felt in the performance of actions contrary to the rules of the Vedas or of society. Achapalam Not to speak or move the hands and legs in vain avoidance of useless action. Straightforwardness, noninjury, absence of anger, etc., are special alities of the Brahmanas. They are the Sattvic virtues which belong to them. Moreover --

Where This Happens

This verse appears in Chapter 16 during the intense dialogue on the battlefield where Krishna is guiding Arjuna through his crisis of duty. Just before this, Krishna has described the characteristics of those with demonic nature to contrast them against the divine path; now he details the specific virtues required for a 'divine' mindset. Arjuna is currently overwhelmed by confusion and attachment, so these qualities are presented as practical tools to clear his mind and prepare him for righteous action.

Living It Out Today

Consider a high-stakes work meeting where you receive harsh criticism from your boss; instead of reacting with immediate anger or defensiveness (absence of anger), pause to listen fully without planning your counter-attack. You can choose to speak the truth about the project's status honestly but gently, while feeling genuine compassion for the team members who might also be struggling under that pressure. This approach transforms a potential conflict into an opportunity for trust and collaborative problem-solving rather than escalating tension.

Explained for Children

Imagine your heart is like a garden; if you plant kind seeds like telling the truth or being gentle to others, beautiful flowers will grow inside you. This verse tells us about those special 'kindness seeds' such as not hurting anyone, feeling sorry when someone else is sad, and staying calm even when we are mad. When we water our hearts with these good habits instead of angry ones like jealousy or lying, we become happy and strong people just like a garden full of flowers.

Daily Reflection

Today, I invite you to notice where fear has hardened your spirit into sharp words or rigid judgments; these are the shadows that hide our true nature. When anger rises, try pausing not as a suppression of emotion but as an act of renunciation toward the impulse itself. Remember that gentleness and modesty are not signs of weakness but the strongest foundations for peace in a chaotic world.

A Practice for Today

Sit quietly and silently repeat the phrase 'I choose truth without anger' three times, letting each syllable soften your jaw and shoulders. Visualize a stream of compassion flowing from your heart to every being you encounter today, dissolving any urge to harm or criticize.

Key Teachings

The Anatomy of Ahimsa
Ahimsa (harmlessness) is presented as the root virtue, extending beyond physical non-violence to include purity of thought and speech. It creates a safe space for truth to emerge without fear or aggression.
The Stability of Renunciation
True renunciation (tyaga) here is defined as the absence of greed and attachment, leading naturally to peacefulness (shanti). This internal freedom allows one to act with compassion rather than calculation or desire for gain.
The Virtue of Soft Power
Gentleness (mardava) and modesty (hri) are highlighted as divine qualities that counteract arrogance and fickleness. These traits foster trust and harmony in relationships, proving that softness is often the most resilient strength.

Themes

Divine NatureMoral VirtuesSelf-ControlCompassionEmotional StabilitySattva Guna

Related Verses

2.50 16.3 17.16 18.9

Read This Next

2.47 — To understand the practical application of action without attachment to results.
3.30 — To learn how surrendering all actions to the Divine purifies the mind and removes anger.
12.15 — To see a description of the devotee who is dear to Krishna for their lack of malice and compassion toward all beings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the specific meaning of 'apaisunam' in this verse?

'Apaisunam' literally means 'absence of crookedness' or not speaking with a double tongue. It refers to being direct, honest, and free from hypocrisy or slander when interacting with others.

Why does Krishna list these specific eleven qualities right after discussing the demonic nature?

Krishna uses this contrast to help Arjuna clearly distinguish between destructive behaviors that lead to bondage and virtuous traits that lead to liberation. By listing them together, he shows that spiritual growth requires actively cultivating the opposite of our negative impulses.

How can someone practice 'absence of fickleness' (achapalam) in a chaotic modern environment?

Practicing absence of fickleness means maintaining steady focus and commitment to your duties or values even when external circumstances change rapidly. It involves not letting mood swings, distractions, or new trends cause you to abandon your responsibilities prematurely.

Is 'renunciation' (tyaga) in this verse about giving up worldly life entirely?

In the context of Gita 16.2 and the broader teaching, renunciation refers primarily to letting go of attachment to the fruits of action rather than abandoning one's home or profession. It is an internal state of detachment where one acts without selfish desire for personal gain.

In Other Languages: Bhagavad Gita 16.2 →