In Bhagavad Gita 16.9, Krishna says that holding this view, lost souls of small understanding and cruel deeds arise as enemies of the world, for its destruction.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
एतां दृष्टिमवष्टभ्य
नष्टात्मानोऽल्पबुद्धयः
प्रभवन्त्युग्रकर्माणः
क्षयाय जगतोऽहिताः ॥ १६-९ ॥
etāṃ dṛṣṭimavaṣṭabhya
naṣṭātmāno’lpabuddhayaḥ
prabhavantyugrakarmāṇaḥ
kṣayāya jagato’hitāḥ
English transliteration etaam drishtimavashtabhya
nashtaatmaano’lpabuddhayah
prabhavantyugrakarmaanah
kshayaaya jagato’hitaah ॥ 16.9 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Holding this view, these lost souls of small understanding and cruel deeds arise as enemies of the world, for its destruction.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| एताम् etām | this |
| दृष्टिम् dṛṣṭim | view |
| अवष्टभ्य avaṣṭabhya | holding |
| नष्टात्मानः naṣṭātmānaḥ | lost souls naṣṭa (lost) + ātmānaḥ (souls) |
| अल्पबुद्धयः alpabuddhayaḥ | of small understanding alpa (small) + buddhayaḥ (understanding) |
| प्रभवन्ति prabhavanti | arise |
| उग्रकर्माणः ugrakarmāṇaḥ | of cruel deeds ugra (cruel) + karmāṇaḥ (deeds) |
| क्षयाय kṣayāya | for destruction |
| जगतः jagataḥ | of the world |
| अहिताः ahitāḥ | enemies |
Word-wise Chanting
- e–tāṃ dṛṣ–ṭi–ma–vaṣ–ṭabh–ya 8 syllables e-taam drish-ti-ma-vash-tabh-ya
- naṣ–ṭāt–mā–no–‘lpa–bud–dha–yaḥ | 8 syllables nash-taat-maa-no-‘lpa-bud-dha-yah
- pra–bha–van–tyug–ra–kar–mā–ṇaḥ 8 syllables pra-bha-van-tyug-ra-kar-maa-nah
- kṣa–yā–ya ja–ga–to–‘hi–tāḥ || 16-9 8 syllables ksha-yaa-ya ja-ga-to-‘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 9
Context
Krishna continues describing the demonic nature (16.6–16.20).
Meaning
Such a worldview leads to harmful action. Its holders are naṣṭātman, having lost touch with their true Self; alpabuddhi, narrow in understanding; and ugrakarman, given to cruel acts. They become ahita, harmful to the world, working toward its destruction.
Beliefs shape actions. A worldview without compassion or meaning can lead to great harm on a personal and global scale.
In Practice
Examine one belief you hold, and ask whether it leads you toward kindness or harm.
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.