A declaration · reflective in mood · a little context helps
“Ego turns achievement into delusion and mistakes possession for mastery.”
That enemy has been slain by me, and I will slay the others too. I am the lord, I enjoy, I am accomplished, powerful, and happy.
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Hover a word to focus on it.
Read literallythat · by me · slain · enemy · I will slay · and · others · also · lord · I · I · enjoyer · accomplished · I · powerful · happy
Pride speaks through the arrogant mind: it claims victory, power, pleasure, success, and happiness as its own.
Krishna speaks this verse, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, in the chapter titled "Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga" (The Divine and Demoniac Natures).
Verse 14 sits in Chapter 16 of the Bhagavad Gita — Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga, "The Divine and Demoniac Natures". The chapter has 24 verses in total.
After one successful deal, someone starts talking like nothing can stop them. The next decision gets made from a swollen ego, not clear seeing.
Did you like this verse?
It teaches you to notice how success can harden into delusion and make a person confuse power with truth.
What this verse means
Pride speaks through the arrogant mind: it claims victory, power, pleasure, success, and happiness as its own.
Context & commentary
Krishna is listing the inner speech of people trapped in arrogant confusion. After boasting of wealth and plans, they now claim victory, mastery, enjoyment, and strength as if all of it belongs to them. This exposes the blindness that drives destructive action.
Why this verse still matters
After one successful deal, someone starts talking like nothing can stop them. The next decision gets made from a swollen ego, not clear seeing.
“Seeing this kind of self-inflation clearly helps you spot ego before it turns into harm.”
Explore related themes: delusion (19 verses)