In Bhagavad Gita 7.15, Krishna says that evildoers, the deluded and the lowest of people, whose knowledge is stolen by illusion and who follow a demonic nature, do not take refuge in him.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
न मां दुष्कृतिनो मूढाः
प्रपद्यन्ते नराधमाः
माययापहृतज्ञाना
आसुरं भावमाश्रिताः ॥ ७-१५ ॥
na māṃ duṣkṛtino mūḍhāḥ
prapadyante narādhamāḥ
māyayāpahṛtajñānā
āsuraṃ bhāvamāśritāḥ
English transliteration na maam dushkritino moodhaah
prapadyante naraadhamaah
maayayaapahritajnaanaa
aasuram bhaavamaashritaah ॥ 7.15 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Evildoers, the deluded and the lowest of people, whose knowledge is carried away by illusion and who have taken to a demonic nature, do not take refuge in Me.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| न na | not |
| माम् mām | in Me |
| दुष्कृतिनः duṣkṛtinaḥ | evildoers |
| मूढाः mūḍhāḥ | the deluded |
| प्रपद्यन्ते prapadyante | take refuge |
| नराधमाः narādhamāḥ | the lowest of people nara (people) + adhamāḥ (lowest) |
| मायया māyayā | by illusion |
| अपहृतज्ञानाः apahṛtajñānāḥ | whose knowledge is carried away apahṛta (stolen) + jñānāḥ (knowledge) |
| आसुरम् āsuram | demonic |
| भावम् bhāvam | nature |
| आश्रिताः āśritāḥ | having taken to |
Word-wise Chanting
- na māṃ duṣ–kṛ–ti–no mū–ḍhāḥ 8 syllables na maam dush-kri-ti-no moo-dhaah
- pra–pad–yan–te na–rā–dha–māḥ | 8 syllables pra-pad-yan-te na-raa-dha-maah
- mā–ya–yā–pa–hṛ–ta–jñā–nā 8 syllables maa-ya-yaa-pa-hri-ta-jnaa-naa
- ā–su–raṃ bhā–va–māś–ri–tāḥ || 7-15 8 syllables aa-su-ram bhaa-va-maash-ri-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 7 Verse 15
Context
Krishna contrasts those who take refuge (7.14) with those who do not.
Meaning
Some do not turn to the Divine at all. They are duṣkṛtin, doing harmful deeds; mūḍha, deluded; their knowledge apahṛta, stolen away by māyā; they cling to an āsura bhāva, a demonic, self-centred nature. Their own condition prevents them from seeking refuge.
This verse is a description, not a final judgement. Elsewhere the Gita says even the worst sinner can be saved by turning to the Divine (9.30). The verse shows how wrongdoing and delusion reinforce each other, closing the heart. The way out begins with a single sincere turn toward the light.
In Practice
Notice any area of your life where you resist turning toward what is higher. Make one small turn toward the light today.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 7: Jnana Vijnana Yoga (Knowledge and Realisation). 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.