In Bhagavad Gita 16.16, Krishna says that bewildered by many thoughts, caught in the net of delusion and addicted to sensual pleasure, they fall into a foul hell.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
अनेकचित्तविभ्रान्ता
मोहजालसमावृताः
प्रसक्ताः कामभोगेषु
पतन्ति नरकेऽशुचौ ॥ १६-१६ ॥
anekacittavibhrāntā
mohajālasamāvṛtāḥ
prasaktāḥ kāmabhogeṣu
patanti narake’śucau
English transliteration anekachittavibhraantaa
mohajaalasamaavritaah
prasaktaah kaamabhogeshu
patanti narake’shuchau ॥ 16.16 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Bewildered by many thoughts, caught in the net of delusion, addicted to the enjoyment of desires, they fall into a foul hell.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| अनेकचित्तविभ्रान्ताः anekacittavibhrāntāḥ | bewildered by many thoughts aneka (many) + citta (thoughts) + vibhrāntāḥ (bewildered) |
| मोहजालसमावृताः mohajālasamāvṛtāḥ | caught in the net of delusion moha (delusion) + jāla (net) + samāvṛtāḥ (caught) |
| प्रसक्ताः prasaktāḥ | addicted |
| कामभोगेषु kāmabhogeṣu | to the enjoyment of desires |
| पतन्ति patanti | fall |
| नरके narake | into hell |
| अशुचौ aśucau | foul |
Word-wise Chanting
- a–ne–ka–cit–ta–vibh–rān–tā 8 syllables a-ne-ka-chit-ta-vibh-raan-taa
- mo–ha–jā–la–sa–mā–vṛ–tāḥ | 8 syllables mo-ha-jaa-la-sa-maa-vri-taah
- pra–sak–tāḥ kā–ma–bho–ge–ṣu 8 syllables pra-sak-taah kaa-ma-bho-ge-shu
- pa–tan–ti na–ra–ke–‘śu–cau || 16-16 8 syllables pa-tan-ti na-ra-ke-‘shu-chau
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 16
Context
Krishna describes the consequences of the demonic nature (16.16–16.20).
Meaning
Their minds are vibhrānta, scattered among countless thoughts. They are caught in the moha-jāla, the net of delusion, like a fish in a net. Addicted to pleasure, they fall into a naraka, a hellish condition, both inner and outer.
Hell begins as an inner state: a scattered, craving, deluded mind. Freedom begins by gathering the scattered mind.
In Practice
When your mind is scattered today, stop and focus on one simple thing, such as your breath, for a few minutes.
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.