In Bhagavad Gita 13.10, Krishna continues: non-attachment, no clinging to children, spouse and home, and constant even-mindedness in desirable and undesirable events.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
असक्तिरनभिष्वङ्गः
पुत्रदारगृहादिषु
नित्यं च समचित्तत्वम्
इष्टानिष्टोपपत्तिषु ॥ १३-१० ॥
asaktiranabhiṣvaṅgaḥ
putradāragṛhādiṣu
nityaṃ ca samacittatvam
iṣṭāniṣṭopapattiṣu
English transliteration asaktiranabhishvangah
putradaaragrihaadishu
nityam cha samachittatvam
ishtaanishtopapattishu ॥ 13.10 ॥
Translation / Meaning
non-attachment; absence of clinging to son, wife, home and the like; and constant even-mindedness in the face of desired and undesired events,
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| असक्तिः asaktiḥ | non-attachment |
| अनभिष्वङ्गः anabhiṣvaṅgaḥ | absence of clinging |
| पुत्रदारगृहादिषु putradāragṛhādiṣu | to son, wife, home and the like putra (son) + dāra (wife) + gṛha (home) + ādiṣu (and the like) |
| नित्यम् nityam | constant |
| च ca | and |
| समचित्तत्वम् samacittatvam | even-mindedness sama (even) + cittatvam (mindedness) |
| इष्टानिष्टोपपत्तिषु iṣṭāniṣṭopapattiṣu | in desired and undesired events iṣṭa (desired) + aniṣṭa (undesired) + upapattiṣu (events) |
Word-wise Chanting
- a–sak–ti–ra–na–bhiṣ–vaṅ–gaḥ 8 syllables a-sak-ti-ra-na-bhish-van-gah
- put–ra–dā–ra–gṛ–hā–di–ṣu | 8 syllables put-ra-daa-ra-gri-haa-di-shu
- nit–yaṃ ca sa–ma–cit–tat–vam– 8 syllables nit-yam cha sa-ma-chit-tat-vam-
- iṣ–ṭā–niṣ–ṭo–pa–pat–ti–ṣu || 13-10 8 syllables ish-taa-nish-to-pa-pat-ti-shu
How to read this
How to chant: each line is one pāda (quarter-verse); chant it in one breath. The hyphen (-) divides the syllables, inside a word and across a sandhi join, so every pāda shows its 8 syllables (11 in triṣṭubh verses). A consonant cluster is divided after its first consonant (kar-ma, vet-ti): that syllable is held longer. Mark above a syllable: guru, long (two beats); laghu, short (one beat). | closes the half-verse, || the verse; the number is the syllable count of the pāda.
Deeper Explanation – Chapter 13 Verse 10
Context
Krishna continues listing the qualities of knowledge (13.8–13.12).
Meaning
Asakti, non-attachment, and anabhiṣvaṅga, not clinging, even to one’s family and home, are marks of knowledge. This does not mean not loving them, but loving without possessive identification. Together with steady even-mindedness in pleasant and unpleasant events, this brings freedom.
We can love our family deeply while recognising that they are not possessions. Love without clinging is purer and more generous.
In Practice
Express love to a family member today, while inwardly releasing any need to control them.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 13: Kshetra Kshetrajna Vibhaga Yoga (The Field and the Knower of the Field). Read the chapter overview, browse every verse of the Gita, or return to the chapter-by-chapter guide. For a reading plan, see how to study the Bhagavad Gita and the study resources.