Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 13 · Kshetra Kshetrajna Vibhaga Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 13.8 अमानित्वमदम्भित्वमहिंसा क्षान्तिरार्जवम्
श्लोक 13.8
अमानित्वमदम्भित्वमहिंसा क्षान्तिरार्जवम् ।
आचार्योपासनं शौचं स्थैर्यमात्मविनिग्रहः ॥
amānitvamadambhitvamahiṃsā kṣāntirārjavam |
ācāryopāsanaṃ śaucaṃ sthairyamātmavinigrahaḥ ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
अभिमान का अभाव, दिखावे से दूर रहना, अहिंसा, क्षमा, मन-वाणी की सरलता, गुरु की सेवा, भीतर-बाहर की पवित्रता, स्थिरता और मन का संयम;
Meaning in English
Humility, freedom from pretence, non-violence, patience, honesty and straightforwardness, service to the teacher, purity of body and mind, steadfastness and control of oneself;
Bhagavad Gita 13.8 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| अमानित्वम् | amānitvam | humility, absence of pride |
| अदम्भित्वम् | adambhitvam | freedom from pretence |
| अहिंसा | ahiṃsā | non-violence |
| क्षान्तिः | kṣāntiḥ | patience, forbearance |
| आर्जवम् | ārjavam | straightforwardness |
| आचार्योपासनम् | ācārya-upāsanam | service of the teacher |
| शौचम् | śaucam | purity |
| स्थैर्यम् | sthairyam | steadfastness |
| आत्मविनिग्रहः | ātma-vinigrahaḥ | self-control |
Explanation
Humility, lack of pretence, non-violence, patience, straightforwardness, service of the teacher, purity, steadfastness and self-control: these begin Krishna's list of qualities that together make up knowledge. Knowledge here means a way of being, not a store of facts, and the list continues over the next four verses.
Surprisingly, Krishna defines knowledge not as information but as character. Over five verses he lists about twenty virtues and calls them jnana. Shankara explains that these qualities are called knowledge because they are the means by which knowledge of the self arises. Gandhi saw in this list a practical code for daily life, and many teachers point out that a learned person without humility has not yet begun to know in the Gita's sense.
भावार्थ
अभिमान का अभाव, दम्भ का न होना, अहिंसा, क्षमा, सरलता, गुरु की सेवा, पवित्रता, स्थिरता और मन-इन्द्रियों का संयम — ये ज्ञान के लक्षण हैं। ज्ञान केवल पढ़ाई नहीं, बल्कि जीवन में उतरा हुआ अच्छा स्वभाव है।
Living it today
Measure your progress less by what you know and more by how patient, honest and humble you are becoming.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 13.8?
Humility, lack of pretence, non-violence, patience, straightforwardness, service of the teacher, purity, steadfastness and self-control: these begin Krishna's list of qualities that together make up knowledge. Knowledge here means a way of being, not a store of facts, and the list continues over the next four verses.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 13.8?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 13 (Kshetra Kshetrajna Vibhaga Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 13.8 in daily life?
Measure your progress less by what you know and more by how patient, honest and humble you are becoming.
Reflected on verse 13.8?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.