In Bhagavad Gita 16.13, Krishna describes the thoughts of the demonic: this I have gained today, this desire I shall fulfil; this wealth is mine, and more shall be mine.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
इदमद्य मया लब्धम्
इमं प्राप्स्ये मनोरथम्
इदमस्तीदमपि मे
भविष्यति पुनर्धनम् ॥ १६-१३ ॥
idamadya mayā labdham
imaṃ prāpsye manoratham
idamastīdamapi me
bhaviṣyati punardhanam
English transliteration idamadya mayaa labdham
imam praapsye manoratham
idamasteedamapi me
bhavishyati punardhanam ॥ 16.13 ॥
Translation / Meaning
“This I have gained today; this desire I shall fulfil. This wealth is mine, and this too shall be mine in the future.”
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| इदम् idam | this |
| अद्य adya | today |
| मया mayā | by me |
| लब्धम् labdham | gained |
| इमम् imam | this |
| प्राप्स्ये prāpsye | I shall fulfil |
| मनोरथम् manoratham | desire |
| इदम् idam | this |
| अस्ति asti | is |
| इदम् idam | this |
| अपि api | too |
| मे me | mine |
| भविष्यति bhaviṣyati | shall be |
| पुनः punaḥ | again, in the future |
| धनम् dhanam | wealth |
Word-wise Chanting
- i–da–mad–ya ma–yā lab–dham– 8 syllables i-da-mad-ya ma-yaa lab-dham-
- i–maṃ prāp–sye ma–no–ra–tham | 8 syllables i-mam praap-sye ma-no-ra-tham
- i–da–mas–tī–da–ma–pi me 8 syllables i-da-mas-tee-da-ma-pi me
- bha–viṣ–ya–ti pu–nar–dha–nam || 16-13 8 syllables bha-vish-ya-ti pu-nar-dha-nam
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 13
Context
Krishna gives the inner monologue of the demonic person (16.13–16.15).
Meaning
The demonic mind is a constant ledger of gains: what I got today, what I will get next, what is already mine and what will be mine. There is no rest, no gratitude, only more.
This inner voice is familiar to many of us. Recognising it is the first step to freedom from it.
In Practice
Replace one “I want more” thought today with a thought of gratitude for what you already have.
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.