Chapter 16, Verse 15
आढ्योऽभिजनवानस्मि कोऽन्योऽस्ति सदृशो मया | यक्ष्ये दास्यामि मोदिष्य इत्यज्ञानविमोहिता: ॥15॥ अनेकचित्तविभ्रान्ता मोहजालसमावृता: | प्रसक्ता: कामभोगेषु पतन्ति नरकेऽशुचौ ॥16॥
āḍhyo ’bhijanavān asmi ko ’nyo ’sti sadṛiśho mayā | yakṣhye dāsyāmi modiṣhya ity ajñāna-vimohitāḥ || 15 || aneka-chitta-vibhrāntā moha-jāla-samāvṛitāḥ | prasaktāḥ kāma-bhogeṣhu patanti narake ’śhuchau || 16 ||
"I am rich and high-born; who else is there similar to me? I shall perform sacrifices; I shall give, I shall rejoice,'-thus they are diversely deluded by non-discrimination. Bewildered by numerous thoughts, caught in the net of delusion, and engrossed in the enjoyment of desirable objects, they fall into a foul hell."
Key Insight:
The Bhagavad Gita teaches us through 16.15 that true peace is found when we align our actions with Dharma.
The Bhagavad Gita teaches us through 16.15 that true peace is found when we align our actions with Dharma.
Detailed Meaning
These verses describe the pinnacle of the demoniac (Asuric) ego. The individual identifies entirely with material acquisitions (wealth), social status (lineage), and performative virtue (egotistic charity/rituals). This mindset creates a 'net of delusion' (moha-jala) where the 'I' is central, leading to a fragmented mind (aneka-chitta) and eventually a state of deep suffering (naraka). True progress requires dismantling this ego-pattern and recognizing that 'might is not right' and performative spirituality is merely a mask for pride.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core message of Gita 16.15?
I am rich and high-born; who else is there similar to me? I shall perform sacrifices; I shall give, I shall rejoice,'-thus they are diversely deluded by non-discrimination. Bewildered by numerous thoughts, caught in the net of delusion, and engrossed in the enjoyment of desirable objects, they fall into a foul hell.