Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 16 · Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 16.8 असत्यमप्रतिष्ठं ते जगदाहुरनीश्वरम्
श्लोक 16.8
असत्यमप्रतिष्ठं ते जगदाहुरनीश्वरम् ।
अपरस्परसम्भूतं किमन्यत्कामहैतुकम् ॥
asatyamapratiṣṭhaṃ te jagadāhuranīśvaram |
aparasparasambhūtaṃ kimanyatkāmahaitukam ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
वे कहते हैं कि यह जगत असत्य है, इसका कोई आधार नहीं और कोई ईश्वर नहीं। यह केवल स्त्री-पुरुष के संयोग से बना है, और काम-वासना के सिवा इसका कोई कारण नहीं।
Meaning in English
They say the world is unreal, without any foundation and without a God, produced merely by the union of male and female, with no cause other than lust.
Bhagavad Gita 16.8 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| असत्यम् | asatyam | without truth |
| अप्रतिष्ठम् | apratiṣṭham | without foundation |
| ते | te | they |
| जगत् | jagat | the world |
| आहुः | āhuḥ | say |
| अनीश्वरम् | anīśvaram | without a God, without a ruler |
| अपरस्परसम्भूतम् | aparaspara-sambhūtam | not produced in any orderly sequence |
| किम् अन्यत् | kim anyat | what else |
| कामहैतुकम् | kāma-haitukam | caused by desire alone |
Explanation
They say the world is without truth, without a firm basis and without a Lord; that it has come about without any orderly cause, and what else is it but a product of desire? Krishna describes the worldview behind the demonic life: a universe with no moral order, no deeper reality and no purpose beyond appetite.
Commentators read this as a description of a materialist outlook that denies dharma, scripture and any governing principle. Shankara explains aparaspara-sambhūtam as arising merely from the union of male and female driven by lust, with no further cause. The point is not to condemn inquiry but to show how belief shapes conduct: if the world has no truth or order, nothing restrains desire. This links to 17.3, where a person is said to become what they believe.
भावार्थ
वे कहते हैं कि यह संसार असत्य है, इसका कोई आधार नहीं और कोई ईश्वर नहीं है। यह किसी क्रम से नहीं, केवल काम-वासना से ही उत्पन्न हुआ है — इसके सिवा और क्या है?
Living it today
Our beliefs about life quietly decide our behaviour. If you think nothing matters beyond pleasure, notice how that changes the way you treat others.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 16.8?
They say the world is without truth, without a firm basis and without a Lord; that it has come about without any orderly cause, and what else is it but a product of desire? Krishna describes the worldview behind the demonic life: a universe with no moral order, no deeper reality and no purpose beyond appetite.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 16.8?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 16 (Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 16.8 in daily life?
Our beliefs about life quietly decide our behaviour. If you think nothing matters beyond pleasure, notice how that changes the way you treat others.
Reflected on verse 16.8?
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