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16

CHAPTER 

VERSE

18

अहङ्कारं बलं दर्पं कामं क्रोधं च संश्रिता: |
मामात्मपरदेहेषु प्रद्विषन्तोऽभ्यसूयका: || 16.18 ||

Ahaṅkāraṁ balaṁ darpaṁ kāmaṁ krodhaṁ ca saṁśritāḥ |
Māmātmaparadeheṣu pradviṣanto'bhyasūyakāḥ ||

Being bound by hundreds and thousands of desires, by lust and anger, they secure money by illegal means for the gratification of their desires, while speaking critically of Me.

Lesson:

This verse talks about the characteristics of those who are envious and malicious towards others. He explains that such individuals are driven by egoism, pride, lust, and anger, and they harbour numerous desires that bind them to material pursuits. They resort to dishonest and unethical means to amass wealth for the satisfaction of their insatiable desires, all the while harbouring resentment towards those who are devoted to Krishna.

Krishna's depiction of the envious and malicious individuals sheds light on the nature of materialistic consciousness. Such individuals are consumed by egoism (ahankara), which leads to a false sense of superiority and entitlement. They exhibit arrogance (darpa) and boastfulness, seeking validation and admiration from others to bolster their fragile egos.

Moreover, these individuals are driven by insatiable desires (kama) and uncontrolled anger (krodha), which cloud their judgment and propel them towards unethical actions. Their relentless pursuit of material pleasures blinds them to the higher spiritual truths and leads them astray from the path of righteousness.

Krishna further explains that the envious individuals harbour resentment towards those who are devoted to him (Mam). They criticize and malign the spiritual path, seeking to undermine the faith and devotion of others. Their envy and hostility towards the devotees stem from their own spiritual ignorance and inability to comprehend the sublime nature of devotional service.

The verse serves as a cautionary reminder against the pitfalls of materialistic consciousness and the destructive influence of ego, desire, and anger. It highlights the importance of cultivating humility, self-restraint, and spiritual wisdom to transcend the grip of material desires and attain true satisfaction.

Furthermore, Krishna's teachings underscore the significance of righteous conduct and ethical behaviour in leading a virtuous life. He emphasizes the need to align one's actions with the principles of dharma (righteousness) and to cultivate compassion, integrity, and selflessness in all endeavours.

In essence, this verse from the Bhagavad Gita admonishes individuals to overcome the negative traits of egoism, desire, and anger and to embrace a life guided by spiritual values and moral principles. By renouncing envy, malice, and materialistic pursuits, one can attain inner peace, harmony, and spiritual upliftment, ultimately leading to the realization of the eternal truth.

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