Chapter 16 Verse 1-3
Daivāsura Sampad Vibhāg Yog
श्री भगवानुवाच अभयं सत्त्वसंशुद्धिः ज्ञानयोगव्यवस्थितिः। दानं दमश्च यज्ञश्च स्वाध्यायस्तप आर्जवम्।।16.1।। अहिंसा सत्यमक्रोधस्त्यागः शान्तिरपैशुनम्।दया भूतेष्वलोलुप्त्वं मार्दवं ह्रीरचापलम्।।16.2।। तेजः क्षमा धृतिः शौचमद्रोहो नातिमानिता। भवन्ति सम्पदं दैवीमभिजातस्य भारत।।16.3।।
śhrī-bhagavān uvācha abhayaṁ sattva-sanśhuddhir jñāna-yoga-vyavasthitiḥ dānaṁ damaśh cha yajñaśh cha svādhyāyas tapa ārjavam ahinsā satyam akrodhas tyāgaḥ śhāntir apaiśhunam dayā bhūteṣhv aloluptvaṁ mārdavaṁ hrīr achāpalam tejaḥ kṣhamā dhṛitiḥ śhaucham adroho nāti-mānitā bhavanti sampadaṁ daivīm abhijātasya bhārata
Word Meanings
| śhrī-bhagavān uvācha | the Supreme Divine Personality said |
| abhayam | fearlessness |
| sattva-sanśhuddhiḥ | purity of mind |
| jñāna | knowledge |
| yoga | spiritual |
| vyavasthitiḥ | steadfastness |
| dānam | charity |
| damaḥ | control of the senses |
| cha | and |
| yajñaḥ | performance of sacrifice |
| cha | and |
| svādhyāyaḥ | study of sacred books |
| tapaḥ | austerity |
| ārjavam | straightforwardness |
| ahinsā | non-violence |
| satyam | truthfulness |
| akrodhaḥ | absence of anger |
| tyāgaḥ | renunciation |
| śhāntiḥ | peacefulness |
| apaiśhunam | restraint from fault-finding |
| dayā | compassion |
| bhūteṣhu | toward all living beings |
| aloluptvam | absence of covetousness |
| mārdavam | gentleness |
| hrīḥ | modesty |
| achāpalam | lack of fickleness |
| tejaḥ | vigor |
| kṣhamā | forgiveness |
| dhṛitiḥ | fortitude |
| śhaucham | cleanliness |
| adrohaḥ | bearing enmity toward none |
| na | not |
| ati-mānitā | absence of vanity |
| bhavanti | are |
| sampadam | qualities |
| daivīm | godly |
| abhijātasya | of those endowed with |
| bhārata | scion of Bharat |
Translation
The Blessed Lord said: Fearlessness, purity of heart, steadfastness in knowledge and yoga, almsgiving, control of the senses, sacrifice, study of scriptures, austerity, and straightforwardness. Harmlessness, truth, absence of anger, renunciation, peacefulness, absence of crookedness, compassion for beings, non-covetousness, gentleness, modesty, and absence of fickleness. Vigor, forgiveness, fortitude, purity, absence of hatred, absence of pride—these belong to one born for a divine state, O Arjuna.
Philosophical Significance
Core Meaning
These verses name the qualities that belong to a person on a spiritual path. They point to inner purity, steady wisdom, self-control, kindness, truthfulness, humility, courage, and peacefulness. Together these qualities free a person from fear, greed, anger, and pride.
Living with these traits means acting from balance rather than from ego or impulse. They guide everyday choices—how you speak, how you treat others, how you face difficulty—and lead to steady inner strength and harmony.
Life Application
- Practice one small habit this week (truthful speech, a short daily reading, or a small act of giving) and notice its effect on your calm and clarity.
- When upset, pause before reacting: breathe, choose compassion, and avoid blaming—this builds patience and reduces anger.
- Keep a simple daily routine for study or quiet time (10–20 minutes) to strengthen steadiness and reduce fickleness.
Reflection Question
Which one quality from this list would make the biggest positive change in my life if I practiced it every day?