Chapter 16 Verse 16
Daivāsura Sampad Vibhāg Yog
अनेकचित्तविभ्रान्ता मोहजालसमावृताः।प्रसक्ताः कामभोगेषु पतन्ति नरकेऽशुचौ।।16.16।।
aneka-citta-vibhrāntā moha-jāla-samāvṛtāḥ prasaktāḥ kāma-bhogeṣu patanti narake 'śucau
Word Meanings
| aneka | numerous |
| citta-vibhrāntāḥ | perplexed by anxieties |
| moha | of illusions |
| jāla | by a network |
| samāvṛtāḥ | surrounded |
| prasaktāḥ | attached |
| kāma | lust |
| bhogeṣu | sense gratification |
| patanti | glides down |
| narake | into hell |
| aśucau | unclean. |
Translation
Bewildered by many fancies, entangled in the snare of delusion, addicted to the gratification of lust, they fall into a foul hell.
Philosophical Significance
Core Meaning
This verse warns that a mind full of restless thoughts and false hopes gets trapped in illusion. When people become strongly attached to sensual pleasures, they lose clarity and moral steadiness.
The "hell" mentioned need not only mean afterlife punishment. It often points to the inner mess we create: shame, pain, broken relationships, and loss of dignity. Habitual pursuit of lust and short-term thrills erodes purity and peace.
Freedom comes from seeing the trap, calming the mind, and choosing steady, truthful actions instead of momentary gratifications. That leads to inner cleanliness and real joy.
Life Application
- Pause when cravings arise: take a few breaths, name the urge, and delay acting on it to see it pass.
- Remove easy triggers: limit exposure to images, places, or situations that fuel sensual obsession.
- Build small daily practices (brief meditation, prayer, service) that strengthen self-control and focus on long-term well-being.
Reflection Question
What craving or habit right now is clouding my mind and causing harm?