Fearlessness, purity of mind, steadfastness in the yoga of knowledge, generosity, self-control, sacrifice, study of the sacred texts, austerity, and straightforwardness.
— Krishna
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Bhagavad Gita · 16.1
Hindi · हिन्दी
श्रीभगवान् बोले भयका सर्वथा अभाव अन्तःकरणकी शुद्धि ज्ञानके लिये योगमें दृढ़ स्थिति सात्त्विक दान इन्द्रियोंका दमन यज्ञ स्वाध्याय कर्तव्यपालनके लिये कष्ट सहना शरीरमनवाणीकी सरलता ॥
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Tap a word to focus on it.
अभयम्fearlessnessसत्त्वसंशुद्धिःpurity of beingज्ञानयोगव्यवस्थितिःsteadfastness in the yoga of knowledgeदानम्givingदमःself-controlचandयज्ञःsacrificeचandस्वाध्यायःstudy of sacred textsतपःausterityआर्जवम्straightforwardness
Read literallyfearlessness · purity of being · steadfastness in the yoga of knowledge · giving · self-control · and · sacrifice · and · study of sacred texts · austerity · straightforwardness
Understanding the verse
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Krishna opens the divine qualities with fearlessness, then lists purity, generosity, self-control, study and straightforwardness.
A divine life begins with fearlessness, inner purity, self-control, generosity, sacrifice, study, disciplined effort, and honesty.
02
On the battlefield
Context & commentary
Krishna begins listing the qualities that belong to a life shaped by the divine. Arjuna needs more than courage to fight; he needs a character strong enough to act rightly under pressure.
03
In your life
What it looks like today
A young doctor in her first year faces pressure from seniors to cut corners. Fearlessness, a clean mind, steady study and plain honesty, the first items on Krishna's list, are what keep her straight.
The takeaway
“A strong character is built, not wished into existence.”
A divine life begins with fearlessness, inner purity, self-control, generosity, sacrifice, study, disciplined effort, and honesty.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 16.1?
Krishna speaks this verse, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, in the chapter titled "Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga" (The Divine and Demoniac Natures).
Which chapter of the Bhagavad Gita contains verse 16.1?
Verse 1 sits in Chapter 16 of the Bhagavad Gita — Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga, "The Divine and Demoniac Natures". The chapter has 24 verses in total.
Why does Bhagavad Gita 16.1 matter today?
A young doctor in her first year faces pressure from seniors to cut corners. Fearlessness, a clean mind, steady study and plain honesty, the first items on Krishna's list, are what keep her straight.
Krishna opens the divine qualities with fearlessness, then lists purity, generosity, self-control, study and straightforwardness.
What this verse means
A divine life begins with fearlessness, inner purity, self-control, generosity, sacrifice, study, disciplined effort, and honesty.
Context & commentary
Krishna begins listing the qualities that belong to a life shaped by the divine. Arjuna needs more than courage to fight; he needs a character strong enough to act rightly under pressure.
What it looks like today
A young doctor in her first year faces pressure from seniors to cut corners. Fearlessness, a clean mind, steady study and plain honesty, the first items on Krishna's list, are what keep her straight.
“A strong character is built, not wished into existence.”
Explore related themes: tapas (22 verses)