In Bhagavad Gita 18.16, Krishna says that one who, through lack of understanding, sees the Self alone as the doer does not see truly; he is of perverted mind.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
तत्रैवं सति कर्तारम्
आत्मानं केवलं तु यः
पश्यत्यकृतबुद्धित्वान्
न स पश्यति दुर्मतिः ॥ १८-१६ ॥
tatraivaṃ sati kartāram
ātmānaṃ kevalaṃ tu yaḥ
paśyatyakṛtabuddhitvān
na sa paśyati durmatiḥ
English transliteration tatraivam sati kartaaram
aatmaanam kevalam tu yah
pashyatyakritabuddhitvaan
na sa pashyati durmatih ॥ 18.16 ॥
Translation / Meaning
That being so, one who, owing to untrained understanding, sees the Self alone as the doer, that person of perverted mind does not see.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| तत्र tatra | that |
| एवम् evam | so |
| सति sati | being |
| कर्तारम् kartāram | the doer |
| आत्मानम् ātmānam | the Self |
| केवलम् kevalam | alone |
| तु tu | but |
| यः yaḥ | who |
| पश्यति paśyati | sees |
| अकृतबुद्धित्वात् akṛtabuddhitvāt | owing to untrained understanding akṛta (untrained) + buddhitvāt (understanding) |
| न na | not |
| सः saḥ | he |
| पश्यति paśyati | sees |
| दुर्मतिः durmatiḥ | of perverted mind |
Word-wise Chanting
- tat–rai–vaṃ sa–ti kar–tā–ram– 8 syllables tat-rai-vam sa-ti kar-taa-ram-
- āt–mā–naṃ ke–va–laṃ tu yaḥ | 8 syllables aat-maa-nam ke-va-lam tu yah
- paś–yat–ya–kṛ–ta–bud–dhit–vān– 8 syllables pash-yat-ya-kri-ta-bud-dhit-vaan-
- na sa paś–ya–ti dur–ma–tiḥ || 18-16 8 syllables na sa pash-ya-ti dur-ma-tih
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 18 Verse 16
Context
Krishna continues the analysis (18.13–18.17).
Meaning
Since action depends on five causes, it is a mistake to think the ātmā, the Self, is the only and real doer. One who thinks so has akṛta-buddhi, an untrained intellect, and is durmati, of distorted understanding.
The Self is the witness, not the sole actor. Seeing this clearly frees us from the ego’s heavy burden.
In Practice
As you act today, remember: many causes are at work; the Self witnesses.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 18: Moksha Sannyasa Yoga (Liberation and Renunciation). 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.