Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 16 · Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 16.11 चिन्तामपरिमेयां च प्रलयान्तामुपाश्रिताः
श्लोक 16.11
चिन्तामपरिमेयां च प्रलयान्तामुपाश्रिताः ।
कामोपभोगपरमा एतावदिति निश्चिताः ॥
cintāmaparimeyāṃ ca pralayāntāmupāśritāḥ |
kāmopabhogaparamā etāvaditi niścitāḥ ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
मृत्यु तक चलने वाली अनगिनत चिंताओं में घिरे हुए, वे विषय-भोग को ही सबसे बड़ा लक्ष्य मानते हैं और पक्का समझते हैं कि बस यही सब कुछ है।
Meaning in English
Gripped by endless anxieties that last until death, they take the enjoyment of desires as the highest goal, convinced that this is all there is.
Bhagavad Gita 16.11 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| चिन्ताम् | cintām | anxiety, cares |
| अपरिमेयाम् च | aparimeyām ca | and immeasurable |
| प्रलयान्ताम् | pralaya-antām | ending only with death |
| उपाश्रिताः | upāśritāḥ | given over to |
| कामोपभोगपरमाः | kāma-upabhoga-paramāḥ | holding the enjoyment of desires as highest |
| एतावत् | etāvat | this is all |
| इति | iti | thus |
| निश्चिताः | niścitāḥ | convinced |
Explanation
Beset by countless anxieties that end only with death, regarding the enjoyment of desires as the highest goal, they are convinced that this is all there is. Krishna points to the hidden cost of such a life: endless worry about getting and keeping, with no rest until the end, because nothing beyond pleasure is thought to exist.
Shankara explains pralayāntām as cares that last until death. The phrase etāvad iti, 'this much only', captures the conviction that sense enjoyment exhausts the meaning of life. Commentators contrast this with the peace of the sthita-prajña in chapter 2, who is free from craving. The verse is also often read psychologically: a life built only on consumption produces not contentment but a steady background of anxiety.
भावार्थ
मृत्यु तक चलने वाली अनगिनत चिन्ताओं से घिरे हुए, विषय-भोग को ही परम लक्ष्य मानने वाले वे यह निश्चय कर लेते हैं कि बस यही सब कुछ है। इसलिए उनका मन कभी शान्त नहीं होता।
Living it today
If constant worry fills your days, ask what you are trying so hard to secure. Seeing that there is more to life than possessions can loosen anxiety.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 16.11?
Beset by countless anxieties that end only with death, regarding the enjoyment of desires as the highest goal, they are convinced that this is all there is. Krishna points to the hidden cost of such a life: endless worry about getting and keeping, with no rest until the end, because nothing beyond pleasure is thought to exist.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 16.11?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 16 (Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 16.11 in daily life?
If constant worry fills your days, ask what you are trying so hard to secure. Seeing that there is more to life than possessions can loosen anxiety.
Reflected on verse 16.11?
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