Taking refuge in desires that can never be filled, filled with hypocrisy, pride, and intoxication, they wander under delusion, holding onto impure vows and false beliefs.
— Krishna
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Bhagavad Gita · 16.10
Hindi · हिन्दी
कभी पूरी न होनेवाली कामनाओंका आश्रय लेकर दम्भ, अभिमान और मदमें चूर रहनेवाले तथा अपवित्र व्रत धारण करनेवाले मनुष्य मोहके कारण दुराग्रहोंको धारण करके संसारमें विचरते रहते हैं ॥
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Tap a word to focus on it.
कामम्desireआश्रित्यtaking refuge inदुष्पूरम्hard to fill, never fully satisfiedदम्भ-मान-मदान्विताःendowed with hypocrisy, pride, and intoxicationमोहात्through delusionगृहीत्वाhaving graspedअसत्-ग्राहान्false beliefs, false graspingsप्रवर्तन्तेthey keep movingअशुचि-व्रताःthose with impure vows
Read literallydesire · taking refuge in · hard to fill, never fully satisfied · endowed with hypocrisy, pride, and intoxication · through delusion · having grasped · false beliefs, false graspings · they keep moving · those with impure vows
Understanding the verse
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Insatiable desire, hypocrisy, pride and intoxication: Krishna shows the asuric living by impure vows and false ideas.
People trapped by endless wanting become arrogant, deluded, and stubborn. Their lives keep moving, but they keep holding on to false ideas and impure aims.
02
On the battlefield
Context & commentary
After naming false views in the previous verses, Krishna shows how delusion becomes a way of living: craving, arrogance, and stubborn beliefs keep people moving toward ruin.
03
In your life
What it looks like today
A man borrows to buy a bigger car to impress relatives, then borrows again to keep up appearances at a wedding. Krishna calls that refuge in desire that can never be filled, kept alive by pride.
The takeaway
“It feels sobering: unchecked wanting does not just distract you; it distorts your character.”
People trapped by endless wanting become arrogant, deluded, and stubborn. Their lives keep moving, but they keep holding on to false ideas and impure aims.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 16.10?
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 16.10?
Verse 10 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 16.10 matter today?
A man borrows to buy a bigger car to impress relatives, then borrows again to keep up appearances at a wedding. Krishna calls that refuge in desire that can never be filled, kept alive by pride.
Insatiable desire, hypocrisy, pride and intoxication: Krishna shows the asuric living by impure vows and false ideas.
What this verse means
People trapped by endless wanting become arrogant, deluded, and stubborn. Their lives keep moving, but they keep holding on to false ideas and impure aims.
Context & commentary
After naming false views in the previous verses, Krishna shows how delusion becomes a way of living: craving, arrogance, and stubborn beliefs keep people moving toward ruin.
What it looks like today
A man borrows to buy a bigger car to impress relatives, then borrows again to keep up appearances at a wedding. Krishna calls that refuge in desire that can never be filled, kept alive by pride.
“It feels sobering: unchecked wanting does not just distract you; it distorts your character.”
Explore related themes: kama (23 verses)