Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 16 · Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga

Bhagavad Gita 16.18 अहंकारं बलं दर्पं कामं क्रोधं च संश्रिताः

Sri Krishna Chapter 16, Verse 18 With word-by-word notes

श्लोक 16.18

अहंकारं बलं दर्पं कामं क्रोधं च संश्रिताः ।
मामात्मपरदेहेषु प्रद्विषन्तोऽभ्यसूयकाः ॥

ahaṃkāraṃ balaṃ darpaṃ kāmaṃ krodhaṃ ca saṃśritāḥ |
māmātmaparadeheṣu pradviṣanto'bhyasūyakāḥ ||

हिन्दी अर्थ

अहंकार, बल, घमंड, काम और क्रोध का सहारा लेने वाले ये ईर्ष्यालु लोग अपने और दूसरों के शरीर में स्थित मुझ परमात्मा से द्वेष करते हैं।

Meaning in English

Relying on ego, force, arrogance, desire and anger, these envious people hate me, who dwell in their own bodies and in the bodies of others.

Bhagavad Gita 16.18 — word by word

WordTransliterationMeaning
अहंकारम्ahaṃkāramegoism
बलम्balamforce
दर्पम्darpamarrogance
कामम्kāmamdesire
क्रोधम् चkrodham caand anger
संश्रिताःsaṃśritāḥresorting to
माम्māmme
आत्मपरदेहेषुātma-para-deheṣuin their own and others' bodies
प्रद्विषन्तःpradviṣantaḥhating
अभ्यसूयकाःabhyasūyakāḥenvious, fault-finding

Explanation

Relying on ego, force, arrogance, desire and anger, these envious people hate me, who dwell in their own bodies and in the bodies of others. Krishna reveals the deepest consequence of the demonic nature: in harming and despising others, such people are in fact rejecting the divine presence that lives in everyone, including themselves.

The verse draws on the Gita's teaching that the Lord resides in the heart of all beings (13.17, 18.61). Shankara explains that by violating the divine command and harming others, they show hatred towards the Lord within. Abhyasūyakāḥ describes those who find fault even in what is good. Many readers see here a strong ethical principle: contempt for any person is contempt for the sacred within that person.

भावार्थ

अहंकार, बल, घमण्ड, काम और क्रोध का सहारा लेने वाले, दूसरों में दोष देखने वाले वे लोग अपने और दूसरों के शरीर में स्थित मुझ परमात्मा से द्वेष करते हैं।

Living it today

When you feel contempt for someone, remember that the same divine life dwells in them as in you. Respect becomes easier when you see that.

Frequently asked questions

What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 16.18?

Relying on ego, force, arrogance, desire and anger, these envious people hate me, who dwell in their own bodies and in the bodies of others. Krishna reveals the deepest consequence of the demonic nature: in harming and despising others, such people are in fact rejecting the divine presence that lives in everyone, including themselves.

Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 16.18?

Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 16 (Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.

How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 16.18 in daily life?

When you feel contempt for someone, remember that the same divine life dwells in them as in you. Respect becomes easier when you see that.

Reflected on verse 16.18?

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