In Bhagavad Gita 16.11, Krishna says such people are beset by immeasurable worries that end only with death, regard sensual enjoyment as the highest goal, and are convinced that this is all.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
चिन्तामपरिमेयां च
प्रलयान्तामुपाश्रिताः
कामोपभोगपरमा
एतावदिति निश्चिताः ॥ १६-११ ॥
cintāmaparimeyāṃ ca
pralayāntāmupāśritāḥ
kāmopabhogaparamā
etāvaditi niścitāḥ
English transliteration chintaamaparimeyaam cha
pralayaantaamupaashritaah
kaamopabhogaparamaa
etaavaditi nishchitaah ॥ 16.11 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Beset by immeasurable cares that end only with death, regarding the gratification of desires as the highest aim, convinced that this is all,
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| चिन्ताम् cintām | cares |
| अपरिमेयाम् aparimeyām | immeasurable |
| च ca | and |
| प्रलयान्ताम् pralayāntām | ending only with death pralaya (death) + antām (ending) |
| उपाश्रिताः upāśritāḥ | beset by |
| कामोपभोगपरमाः kāmopabhogaparamāḥ | regarding gratification of desires as the highest kāma (desires) + upabhoga (gratification) + paramāḥ (highest) |
| एतावत् etāvat | this is all |
| इति iti | thus |
| निश्चिताः niścitāḥ | convinced |
Word-wise Chanting
- cin–tā–ma–pa–ri–me–yāṃ ca 8 syllables chin-taa-ma-pa-ri-me-yaam cha
- pra–la–yān–tā–mu–pāś–ri–tāḥ | 8 syllables pra-la-yaan-taa-mu-paash-ri-taah
- kā–mo–pa–bho–ga–pa–ra–mā 8 syllables kaa-mo-pa-bho-ga-pa-ra-maa
- e–tā–va–di–ti niś–ci–tāḥ || 16-11 8 syllables e-taa-va-di-ti nish-chi-taah
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 16 Verse 11
Context
Krishna continues describing the demonic nature; the sentence continues into 16.12.
Meaning
Their minds are filled with cintā, endless worry, that lasts until death. Their highest goal is kāma-upabhoga, the enjoyment of desires, and they are convinced that etāvat, this is all there is.
A life devoted only to pleasure is ironically full of anxiety. The fear of losing pleasures, and the craving for more, give no rest.
In Practice
Notice the link between craving and anxiety in your own life, and choose contentment instead.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 16: Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga (Divine and Undivine Qualities). 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.