In Bhagavad Gita 16.2, Krishna continues: nonviolence, truthfulness, freedom from anger, renunciation, peace, absence of slander, compassion for beings, freedom from greed, gentleness, modesty and steadiness.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
अहिंसा सत्यमक्रोधस्
त्यागः शान्तिरपैशुनम्
दया भूतेष्वलोलुप्त्वं
मार्दवं ह्रीरचापलम् ॥ १६-२ ॥
ahiṃsā satyamakrodhas
tyāgaḥ śāntirapaiśunam
dayā bhūteṣvaloluptvaṃ
mārdavaṃ hrīracāpalam
English transliteration ahimsaa satyamakrodhas
tyaagah shaantirapaishunam
dayaa bhooteshvaloluptvam
maardavam hreerachaapalam ॥ 16.2 ॥
Translation / Meaning
nonviolence, truthfulness, freedom from anger, renunciation, peacefulness, refraining from slander, compassion toward all beings, freedom from greed, gentleness, modesty and absence of fickleness,
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| अहिंसा ahiṃsā | nonviolence |
| सत्यम् satyam | truthfulness |
| अक्रोधः akrodhaḥ | freedom from anger |
| त्यागः tyāgaḥ | renunciation |
| शान्तिः śāntiḥ | peacefulness |
| अपैशुनम् apaiśunam | refraining from slander |
| दया dayā | compassion |
| भूतेषु bhūteṣu | toward beings |
| अलोलुप्त्वम् aloluptvam | freedom from greed |
| मार्दवम् mārdavam | gentleness |
| ह्रीः hrīḥ | modesty |
| अचापलम् acāpalam | absence of fickleness |
Word-wise Chanting
- a–hiṃ–sā sat–ya–mak–ro–dhas– 8 syllables a-him-saa sat-ya-mak-ro-dhas-
- tyā–gaḥ śān–ti–ra–pai–śu–nam | 8 syllables tyaa-gah shaan-ti-ra-pai-shu-nam
- da–yā bhū–teṣ–va–lo–lup–tvaṃ 8 syllables da-yaa bhoo-tesh-va-lo-lup-tvam
- mār–da–vaṃ hrī–ra–cā–pa–lam || 16-2 8 syllables maar-da-vam hree-ra-chaa-pa-lam
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 2
Context
Krishna continues listing the divine qualities (16.1–16.3).
Meaning
Further divine qualities include ahiṃsā, not harming; satya, truth; akrodha, freedom from anger; tyāga, letting go; śānti, peace; apaiśuna, not speaking ill of others; dayā, kindness to all beings; alolupta, freedom from greed; mārdava, gentleness; hrī, a healthy sense of shame before wrongdoing; and acāpala, steadiness.
Many of these qualities concern how we treat others: not harming, not slandering, being kind and gentle. Spiritual life shows itself in relationships.
In Practice
Avoid speaking ill of anyone today, even in jest or private conversation.
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.