Bhagavad Gita Chapter 16 Verse 1 (16.1)
Reflective Prompt:
Which quality feels most essential for living a peaceful, righteous life in a challenging society?
- ▪ Option 1: Fearlessness, purity of mind, simplicity, and truthfulness (Divine qualities).
- ▪ Option 2: Ambition, pride, power, and strict control of others (Demoniac qualities).
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 16 Verse 1 (16.1)
श्रीभगवानुवाच
अभयं सत्त्वसंशुद्धिर्ज्ञानयोगव्यवस्थितिः । दानं दमश्च यज्ञश्च स्वाध्यायस्तप आर्जवम् | | १६-१ | |
śhrī bhagavān uvācha abhayaṁ sattvasaṁśhuddhirjñānayogavyavasthitiḥ dānaṁ damaśhcha yajñaśhcha svādhyāyastapa ārjavam
Word-by-word guide:
Line 0:
- श्री
(Sri)— श्री(the Blessed Lord said) - भगवान्
(Bhagavan)— भगवान(the Blessed Lord said) - उवाच
(uvacha)— बोले(the Blessed Lord said)
Line 1:
- अभयम्
(abhayam)— निर्भयता(fearlessness) - सत्त्वसंशुद्धिः
(sattva-sanshuddhih)— मन की शुद्धि(purity of mind/heart) - ज्ञानयोगव्यवस्थितिः
(jnana-yoga-vyavasthitih)— ज्ञान योग में स्थिरता(steadfastness in the path of knowledge and meditation)
Line 2:
- दानम्
(danam)— दान(charity/giving) - दमः
(damah)— इंद्रिय संयम(control of the senses) - च
(cha)— और(and) - यज्ञः
(yajnash)— यज्ञ(performance of sacrifice/worship) - च
(cha)— और(and) - स्वाध्यायः
(svadhyayash)— स्वाध्याय(study of sacred scriptures) - तपः
(tapah)— तप(austerity/discipline) - आर्जवम्
(arjavam)— सरलता(simplicity/candor)
English: Lord Shri Krishna continued: Fearlessness, clean living, unceasing concentration on wisdom, readiness to give, self-control, a spirit of worship, regular study of the scriptures, disciplines, candour,
Learnings from Shloka 1:
- Divine Qualities:: Virtues like fearlessness and mental purity are natural traits of a spiritually advanced soul.
- Sacred Actions:: Yajna (sacrifice), study, and self-control focus the mind's energy toward higher consciousness.
Gita/Sanskrit Language Quiz
Practice this shloka vocabularyMatch Sanskrit words from shloka 16.1 with their Hindi and English meanings.
Practice vocabulary
Krishna lists the prime divine qualities: fearlessness, purity of heart, steadfastness in Gyan and Yoga, charity, self-control, performance of Yajna, study of scriptures, austerity, and simplicity.