Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 16 · Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 16.12 आशापाशशतैर्बद्धाः कामक्रोधपरायणाः
श्लोक 16.12
आशापाशशतैर्बद्धाः कामक्रोधपरायणाः ।
ईहन्ते कामभोगार्थमन्यायेनार्थसञ्चयान् ॥
āśāpāśaśatairbaddhāḥ kāmakrodhaparāyaṇāḥ |
īhante kāmabhogārthamanyāyenārthasañcayān ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
आशा की सैकड़ों रस्सियों से बँधे और काम-क्रोध के अधीन होकर, वे भोगों के लिए अन्याय से धन इकट्ठा करने की चेष्टा करते रहते हैं।
Meaning in English
Bound by hundreds of ropes of hope and given over to desire and anger, they strive to pile up wealth by unjust means for the sake of indulging their desires.
Bhagavad Gita 16.12 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| आशापाशशतैः | āśā-pāśa-śataiḥ | by hundreds of ropes of hope |
| बद्धाः | baddhāḥ | bound |
| कामक्रोधपरायणाः | kāma-krodha-parāyaṇāḥ | devoted to desire and anger |
| ईहन्ते | īhante | they strive |
| कामभोगार्थम् | kāma-bhoga-artham | for the enjoyment of desires |
| अन्यायेन | anyāyena | by unjust means |
| अर्थसञ्चयान् | artha-sañcayān | hoards of wealth |
Explanation
Bound by hundreds of ropes of expectation, given over to desire and anger, they strive to pile up wealth by unjust means for the sake of satisfying their desires. The image is of a person tied down by countless hopes, each pulling in its own direction, who turns to any means, fair or foul, to feed them.
The striking phrase āśā-pāśa, the noose of hope or expectation, shows that it is not wealth itself but the craving behind it that binds. Shankara notes that anyāyena means without regard for what is right. Commentators link this to the Gita's teaching on work without attachment to results: the same activity of earning becomes bondage when driven by endless expectation and freedom when done as duty. The Gita does not condemn wealth, only its unjust pursuit.
भावार्थ
सैकड़ों आशाओं की रस्सियों से बँधे हुए, काम और क्रोध के अधीन होकर वे विषय-भोग के लिए अन्याय से धन इकट्ठा करने का प्रयत्न करते हैं। धन कमाना बुरा नहीं, अन्याय से कमाना बन्धन है।
Living it today
Earning well is not wrong; earning by cutting corners is. Check whether your expectations are pushing you towards means you would not defend openly.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 16.12?
Bound by hundreds of ropes of expectation, given over to desire and anger, they strive to pile up wealth by unjust means for the sake of satisfying their desires. The image is of a person tied down by countless hopes, each pulling in its own direction, who turns to any means, fair or foul, to feed them.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 16.12?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 16 (Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 16.12 in daily life?
Earning well is not wrong; earning by cutting corners is. Check whether your expectations are pushing you towards means you would not defend openly.
Reflected on verse 16.12?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.