In Bhagavad Gita 16.15, Krishna continues: I am rich and well-born; who else is equal to me? I shall sacrifice, give and rejoice. Thus they are deluded by ignorance.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
आढ्योऽभिजनवानस्मि
कोऽन्योऽस्ति सदृशो मया
यक्ष्ये दास्यामि मोदिष्य
इत्यज्ञानविमोहिताः ॥ १६-१५ ॥
āḍhyo’bhijanavānasmi
ko’nyo’sti sadṛśo mayā
yakṣye dāsyāmi modiṣya
ityajñānavimohitāḥ
English transliteration aadhyo’bhijanavaanasmi
ko’nyo’sti sadrisho mayaa
yakshye daasyaami modishya
ityajnaanavimohitaah ॥ 16.15 ॥
Translation / Meaning
“I am wealthy and of noble birth. Who else is equal to me? I shall perform sacrifices, I shall give, I shall rejoice.” Thus they are deluded by ignorance.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| आढ्यः āḍhyaḥ | wealthy |
| अभिजनवान् abhijanavān | of noble birth |
| अस्मि asmi | I am |
| कः kaḥ | who |
| अन्यः anyaḥ | else |
| अस्ति asti | is |
| सदृशः sadṛśaḥ | equal |
| मया mayā | to me |
| यक्ष्ये yakṣye | I shall sacrifice |
| दास्यामि dāsyāmi | I shall give |
| मोदिष्ये modiṣye | I shall rejoice |
| इति iti | thus |
| अज्ञानविमोहिताः ajñānavimohitāḥ | deluded by ignorance ajñāna (ignorance) + vimohitāḥ (deluded) |
Word-wise Chanting
- āḍh–yo–‘bhi–ja–na–vā–nas–mi 8 syllables aadh-yo-‘bhi-ja-na-vaa-nas-mi
- ko–‘nyo–‘sti sa–dṛ–śo ma–yā | 8 syllables ko-‘nyo-‘sti sa-dri-sho ma-yaa
- yakṣ–ye dās–yā–mi mo–diṣ–ya 8 syllables yaksh-ye daas-yaa-mi mo-dish-ya
- it–ya–jñā–na–vi–mo–hi–tāḥ || 16-15 8 syllables it-ya-jnaa-na-vi-mo-hi-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 15
Context
Krishna concludes the inner monologue (16.13–16.15).
Meaning
The demonic person takes pride in wealth and family. Even religious acts, sacrifice and charity, are done for show and self-glorification. Krishna’s verdict: they are ajñāna-vimohita, deluded by ignorance.
Even good deeds can become expressions of ego if done for display. The motive matters as much as the act.
In Practice
Do one good deed today anonymously, without anyone knowing.
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.