Bhagavad Gita Chapter 16, Verse 2

Chapter 16 – Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga · Speaker: Krishna

Sanskrit verse

अहिंसा सत्यमक्रोधस्त्यागः शान्तिरपैशुनम् ।
दया भूतेष्वलोलुप्त्वं मार्दवं ह्रीरचापलम् ॥

Transliteration

ahiṃsā satyamakrodhastyāgaḥ śāntirapaiśunam .
dayā bhūteṣvaloluptvaṃ mārdavaṃ hrīracāpalam ॥

Meaning

Non-violence, truthfulness, freedom from anger, renunciation, tranquillity, refraining from slander, compassion towards all beings, freedom from greed, gentleness, modesty and steadiness;

Word meanings

अहिंसा – non-violence, not causing harm
सत्यम् – truthfulness
अक्रोधः – freedom from anger
त्यागः – renunciation (of doership and attachment to results)
शान्तिः – tranquillity, peace of mind
अपैशुनम् – refraining from slander and backbiting
दया – compassion
भूतेषु – towards all beings
अलोलुप्त्वम् – freedom from greed or covetousness
मार्दवम् – gentleness, softness
ह्रीः – modesty, a sense of shame at wrongdoing
अचापलम् – steadiness, absence of fickleness

Anvaya (word order)

अहिंसा, सत्यम्, अक्रोधः, त्यागः, शान्तिः, अपैशुनम्, भूतेषु दया, अलोलुप्त्वम्, मार्दवम्, ह्रीः, अचापलम् ।

Explanation

The qualities of the first verse mostly concern one's own spiritual discipline; those of this verse concern chiefly how we treat others. This shows that spirituality is not only practice in solitude but a beauty that shows itself in relationships.

Ahimsa is not causing pain to any creature by thought, word or deed; it is regarded as the root of all dharma. Satyam is speaking as one has seen, heard and understood, yet in a way that is not hurtful or harmful to others. Akrodha is not allowing anger to rise even when insulted or hurt, or calming it quickly when it does arise.

Charity (dana) was already named in verse 1, so tyaga here means giving up doership and attachment to the fruits of action. Shanti is the stilling of the inner instrument, a settled mind. Apaishunam is not speaking of others' faults behind their backs, not carrying tales. This modest-seeming virtue is vital for peace in families and communities.

Daya bhuteshu is compassion for suffering beings, feeling their pain as one's own. Aloluptvam is freedom from greed even when objects of the senses are near at hand. Mardavam is gentleness of temperament and speech, the absence of harshness. Hri is a natural sense of shame at doing what is wrong or forbidden, which holds a person back from the wrong path. Achapalam is the absence of restless fidgeting, idle talk and a wandering mind.

There is a beautiful order among these qualities. Non-violence and truth are the foundation; freedom from anger, tranquillity and gentleness are inner softness; refraining from slander and compassion are goodwill towards others; and freedom from greed, modesty and steadiness are self-restraint. The company of a person who lives these qualities becomes a cool shade for everyone around.

Context

The list of divine qualities begun in the first verse continues here. In the next verse Krishna gives the remaining six and says that these mark one born with the divine endowment.

Life lesson

The truest test of spirituality is how we treat others. Not gossiping, speaking gently and feeling compassion for the suffering are small-seeming virtues that make life divine.

Key terms

Ahimsa: Not causing harm by thought, word or deed
Apaishuna: Refraining from slander and backbiting
Hri: A natural sense of shame at wrongdoing
Achapala: Steadiness, freedom from restless and idle activity