Kshetra Kshetrajna Vibhaga · Verse 8

Bhagavad Gita 13.8

True strength is quiet discipline, not self-display.

Wisdom translation, edited by Ankur Shukla. Commentary AI-drafted, human-reviewed. Reviewed June 2026. Methodology →

अमानित्वमदम्भित्वमहिंसा क्षान्तिरार्जवम् ।
आचार्योपासनं शौचं स्थैर्यमात्मविनिग्रहः ॥
Hindi · हिन्दी
मानित्वअपनेमें श्रेष्ठताके भाव का न होना, दम्भित्वदिखावटीपन का न होना, अहिंसा, क्षमा, सरलता, गुरुकी सेवा, बाहरभीतरकी शुद्धि, स्थिरता और मनका वशमें होना ॥
English
Absence of pride, absence of pretence, nonviolence, forgiveness, simplicity, service to the teacher, purity, steadiness, and self-control.

What this verse means

A disciplined life is marked by humility, honesty, nonviolence, forgiveness, simplicity, respect for the teacher, cleanliness, steadiness, and self-mastery.

Context & commentary

On the battlefield, Arjuna is frozen, and Krishna begins listing the qualities that shape a person fit for clear seeing. After defining the field of body and mind, he names the inner discipline that makes wisdom possible.

Why this verse still matters

You are about to send the message that could end a friendship, and your chest tightens. This verse asks whether you can stay honest, clean in motive, and steady instead of performing or striking out.

The takeaway

Real strength looks calm, clean, and unforced.

Word-by-word translation

अमानित्वम् (absence of pride) / अदम्भित्वम् (absence of pretence) / अहिंसा (nonviolence) / क्षान्तिः (forgiveness) / आर्जवम् (simplicity) / आचार्य-उपासनम् (service to the teacher) / शौचम् (purity) / स्थैर्यम् (steadiness) / आत्म-विनिग्रहः (self-control)

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