Yoga through Discerning the Divine and Demoniac Natures
Verse 16.2
अहिंसा सत्यमक्रोधस्त्यागः शान्तिरपैशुनम्।दया भूतेष्वलोलुप्त्वं मार्दवं ह्रीरचापलम्।।16.2।।
ahinsā satyam akrodhas tyāgaḥ śhāntir apaiśhunam dayā bhūteṣhv aloluptvaṁ mārdavaṁ hrīr achāpalam
Word Meanings
ahinsā—non-violence; satyam—truthfulness; akrodhaḥ—absence of anger; tyāgaḥ—renunciation; śhāntiḥ—peacefulness; apaiśhunam—restraint from fault-finding; dayā—compassion; bhūteṣhu—toward all living beings; aloluptvam—absence of covetousness; mārdavam—gentleness; hrīḥ—modesty; achāpalam—lack of fickleness;
Translation · English
Harmlessness, truth, absence of anger, renunciation, peacefulness, absence of crookedness, compassion for beings, non-covetousness, gentleness, modesty, and absence of fickleness.
Deep Meaning · English
In this verse, Bhagavan Krishna delineates the daivī-sampad, or the divine qualities that serve as the fundamental scaffolding for the spiritual aspirant. This is not merely a list of moral virtues, but a blueprint for purifying the antaḥkaraṇa (the internal instrument of mind and intellect). By cultivating these traits, the seeker systematically dissolves the turbulent ego that prevents the reflection of the Self. Each quality represents a conscious surrender of a lower, animalistic impulse; for instance, 'ahimsa' is the cessation of the ego's desire to assert dominance over others, while 'tyaga' is the systematic loosening of the soul's attachment to the transient material world. Contextually, Krishna is preparing Arjuna for the battle by clarifying that true strength is not found in the external victory of arms, but in the internal victory over the tamasic and rajasic tendencies that cloud judgment. These qualities act as a protective armor against the encroaching darkness of the demoniac nature (asuri-sampad). By anchoring the consciousness in truthfulness and compassion, the practitioner aligns their individual will with the Divine Will, eventually transmuting the human personality into a pure conduit for Grace. It is the process of shedding the 'not-self' so that the underlying divinity of the Atman can radiate without obstruction.
These divine qualities are the psychological foundation upon which the edifice of spiritual liberation is built, transforming the seeker into a vessel fit for the residence of the Divine.
Connected Verses
Expands on the aspect of speech as a form of austerity, reinforcing the themes of truthfulness and lack of fault-finding.
Highlights the importance of humility and lack of vanity, which are foundational to the divine nature described here.
Connects the quality of freedom from fear and anger to the state of the steady-minded sage.
Community Insights
(0)Share your understanding of this verse with fellow seekers.
No insights yet. Be the first to share your understanding of this verse.