In Bhagavad Gita 16.12, Krishna says such people, bound by hundreds of ropes of hope and given to desire and anger, strive to accumulate wealth by unjust means for sensual enjoyment.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
आशापाशशतैर्बद्धाः
कामक्रोधपरायणाः
ईहन्ते कामभोगार्थम्
अन्यायेनार्थसञ्चयान् ॥ १६-१२ ॥
āśāpāśaśatairbaddhāḥ
kāmakrodhaparāyaṇāḥ
īhante kāmabhogārtham
anyāyenārthasañcayān
English transliteration aashaapaashashatairbaddhaah
kaamakrodhaparaayanaah
eehante kaamabhogaartham
anyaayenaarthasanchayaan ॥ 16.12 ॥
Translation / Meaning
bound by hundreds of ropes of hope, given over to desire and anger, they strive to amass wealth by unjust means for the enjoyment of their desires.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| आशापाशशतैः āśāpāśaśataiḥ | by hundreds of ropes of hope āśā (hope) + pāśa (ropes) + śataiḥ (hundreds) |
| बद्धाः baddhāḥ | bound |
| कामक्रोधपरायणाः kāmakrodhaparāyaṇāḥ | given over to desire and anger kāma (desire) + krodha (anger) + parāyaṇāḥ (given over) |
| ईहन्ते īhante | strive |
| कामभोगार्थम् kāmabhogārtham | for the enjoyment of desires kāma (desires) + bhoga (enjoyment) + artham (for) |
| अन्यायेन anyāyena | by unjust means |
| अर्थसञ्चयान् arthasañcayān | to amass wealth artha (wealth) + sañcayān (amassing) |
Word-wise Chanting
- ā–śā–pā–śa–śa–tair–bad–dhāḥ 8 syllables aa-shaa-paa-sha-sha-tair-bad-dhaah
- kā–mak–ro–dha–pa–rā–ya–ṇāḥ | 8 syllables kaa-mak-ro-dha-pa-raa-ya-naah
- ī–han–te kā–ma–bho–gār–tham– 8 syllables ee-han-te kaa-ma-bho-gaar-tham-
- an–yā–ye–nār–tha–sañ–ca–yān || 16-12 8 syllables an-yaa-ye-naar-tha-san-cha-yaan
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 12
Context
The sentence begun in 16.11 is completed here.
Meaning
They are tied by āśā-pāśa-śata, hundreds of nooses of expectation. Ruled by kāma and krodha, desire and anger, they seek to accumulate wealth anyāyena, by unfair means, to satisfy their desires.
Each hope can become a rope that binds. Wealth gained unjustly brings no peace, only more bondage.
In Practice
Examine how you earn and use money. Make sure it is fair and honest.
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.