Verse 1
śhrī-bhagavān uvācha
abhayaṁ sattva-sanśhuddhir jñāna-yoga-vyavasthitiḥ
dānaṁ damaśh cha yajñaśh cha svādhyāyas tapa ārjavam
śhrī-bhagavān uvācha
the Supreme Divine Personality said
abhayam sattva-sanśhuddhiḥ jñāna yoga vyavasthitiḥ
fearlessness purity of mind knowledge spiritual steadfastness
dānam damaḥ cha yajñaḥ cha svādhyāyaḥ tapaḥ ārjavam
charity control of the senses and performance of sacrifice and study of sacred books austerity straightforwardness
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The Lord said, "Fearlessness, purity of mind, devotion to meditation on the knowledge of the self, alms-giving, self-control, worship, study of the Vedas, austerity, and uprightness—
Verse 2
ahinsā satyam akrodhas tyāgaḥ śhāntir apaiśhunam
dayā bhūteṣhv aloluptvaṁ mārdavaṁ hrīr achāpalam
ahinsā satyam akrodhaḥ tyāgaḥ śhāntiḥ apaiśhunam
non-violence truthfulness absence of anger renunciation peacefulness restraint from fault-finding
dayā bhūteṣhu aloluptvam mārdavam hrīḥ achāpalam
compassion toward all living beings absence of covetousness gentleness modesty lack of fickleness
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Non-injury, truth, freedom from anger, renunciation, tranquility, non-slandering of others, compassion for all beings, freedom from desire, gentleness, a sense of shame, and freedom from fickleness;
Verse 3
tejaḥ kṣhamā dhṛitiḥ śhaucham adroho nāti-mānitā
bhavanti sampadaṁ daivīm abhijātasya bhārata
tejaḥ kṣhamā dhṛitiḥ śhaucham adrohaḥ na ati-mānitā
vigor forgiveness fortitude cleanliness bearing enmity toward none not absence of vanity
bhavanti sampadam daivīm abhijātasya bhārata
are qualities godly of those endowed with scion of Bharat
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Grandeur, patience, fortitude, purity, freedom from hatred and over-pride—these, O Arjuna, belong to one who is born to a divine destiny.
Verse 4
dambho darpo ’bhimānaśh cha krodhaḥ pāruṣhyam eva cha
ajñānaṁ chābhijātasya pārtha sampadam āsurīm
dambhaḥ darpaḥ abhimānaḥ cha krodhaḥ pāruṣhyam eva cha
hypocrisy arrogance conceit and anger harshness certainly and
ajñānam cha abhijātasya pārtha sampadam āsurīm
ignorance and of those who possess Arjun, the son of Pritha qualities demoniac
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Pompousness, arrogance, self-conceit, wrath, rudeness, and ignorance—these, O Arjuna, belong to one who is born with a demonic destiny.
Verse 5
daivī sampad vimokṣhāya nibandhāyāsurī matā
mā śhuchaḥ sampadaṁ daivīm abhijāto ’si pāṇḍava
daivī sampat vimokṣhāya nibandhāya āsurī matā
divine qualities toward liberation to bondage demoniac qualities are considered
mā śhuchaḥ sampadam daivīm abhijātaḥ asi pāṇḍava
do not grieve virtues saintly born you are Arjun, the son of Pandu
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The divine destiny is said to lead to liberation, while the demoniac to bondage. Do not grieve, O Arjuna, for you are born with a divine destiny.
Verse 6
dvau bhūta-sargau loke ’smin daiva āsura eva cha
daivo vistaraśhaḥ prokta āsuraṁ pārtha me śhṛiṇu
dvau bhūta-sargau loke asmin daivaḥ āsuraḥ eva cha
two of created living beings in the world this divine demoniac certainly and
daivaḥ vistaraśhaḥ proktaḥ āsuram pārtha me śhṛiṇu
the divine at great length said the demoniac Arjun, the son of Pritha from me hear
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There are two types of beings in this world: the divine and the demoniac. The divine have been described at length. Hear from Me, O Arjuna, about the demoniac.
Verse 7
pravṛittiṁ cha nivṛittiṁ cha janā na vidur āsurāḥ
na śhauchaṁ nāpi chāchāro na satyaṁ teṣhu vidyate
pravṛittim cha nivṛittim cha janāḥ na viduḥ āsurāḥ
proper actions and improper actions and persons not comprehend those possessing demoniac nature
na śhaucham na api cha āchāraḥ na satyam teṣhu vidyate
neither purity nor even and conduct nor truthfulness in them exist
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The demoniacal men neither know action nor renunciation. They have no cleanliness, nor right conduct, nor truth.
Verse 8
asatyam apratiṣhṭhaṁ te jagad āhur anīśhvaram
aparaspara-sambhūtaṁ kim anyat kāma-haitukam
asatyam apratiṣhṭham te jagat āhuḥ anīśhvaram
without absolute truth without any basis they the world say without a God
aparaspara sambhūtam kim anyat kāma-haitukam
without cause created what other for sexual gratification only
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They maintain: 'The universe is without truth, with no foundation, and without a Lord (Isvara). What else could exist without mutual causation? It has lust as its cause.'
Verse 9
etāṁ dṛiṣhṭim avaṣhṭabhya naṣhṭātmāno ’lpa-buddhayaḥ
prabhavanty ugra-karmāṇaḥ kṣhayāya jagato ’hitāḥ
etām dṛiṣhṭim avaṣhṭabhya naṣhṭa ātmānaḥ alpa-buddhayaḥ
such views holding misdirected souls of small intellect
prabhavanti ugra karmāṇaḥ kṣhayāya jagataḥ ahitāḥ
arise cruel actions destruction of the world enemies
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Holding this view, these men of lost souls and feeble understanding do cruel deeds, leading to the destruction of the world.
Verse 10
kāmam āśhritya duṣhpūraṁ dambha-māna-madānvitāḥ
mohād gṛihītvāsad-grāhān pravartante ’śhuchi-vratāḥ
kāmam āśhritya duṣhpūram dambha māna mada-anvitāḥ
lust harboring insatiable hypocrisy arrogance clinging to false tenets
mohāt gṛihītvā asat grāhān pravartante aśhuchi-vratāḥ
the illusioned being attracted to impermanent things they flourish with impure resolve
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Turning to insatiable desires, seizing through delusion unjustly acquired wealth, and following impious vows, they act, full of ostentation, pride, and arrogance.
Verse 11
chintām aparimeyāṁ cha pralayāntām upāśhritāḥ
kāmopabhoga-paramā etāvad iti niśhchitāḥ
chintām aparimeyām cha pralaya-antām upāśhritāḥ
anxieties endless and until death taking refuge
kāma-upabhoga paramāḥ etāvat iti niśhchitāḥ
gratification of desires the purpose of life still thus with complete assurance
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Obsessed by unlimited cares that end with dissolution, looking upon the enjoyment of desires as their highest aim, and convinced that this is all;
Verse 12
āśhā-pāśha-śhatair baddhāḥ kāma-krodha-parāyaṇāḥ
īhante kāma-bhogārtham anyāyenārtha-sañchayān
āśhā-pāśha śhataiḥ baddhāḥ kāma krodha parāyaṇāḥ
bondage of desires by hundreds bound lust anger dedicated to
īhante kāma bhoga artham anyāyena artha sañchayān
strive lust gratification of the senses for by unjust means wealth to accumulate
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Bound by hundreds of fetters of hopes, given over to desire and anger, they strive unjustly to gather wealth for the gratification of their desires.
Verse 13
idam adya mayā labdham imaṁ prāpsye manoratham
idam astīdam api me bhaviṣhyati punar dhanam
idam adya mayā labdham imam prāpsye manaḥ-ratham
this today by me gained this I shall acquire desire
idam asti idam api me bhaviṣhyati punaḥ dhanam
this is this also mine in future again wealth
---
'This I have gained today, and this desire I shall attain. This wealth is mine, and this will also be mine hereafter.
Verse 14
asau mayā hataḥ śhatrur haniṣhye chāparān api
īśhvaro ’ham ahaṁ bhogī siddho ’haṁ balavān sukhī
asau mayā hataḥ śhatruḥ haniṣhye cha aparān api
that by me has been destroyed enemy I shall destroy and others also
īśhvaraḥ aham aham bhogī siddhaḥ aham bala-vān sukhī
God I I the enjoyer powerful I powerful happy
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'I have slain this enemy, and I shall slay others too. I am the Lord, the enjoyer, the successful one, the strong one, and the happy one.'
Verse 15
āḍhyo ’bhijanavān asmi ko ’nyo ’sti sadṛiśho mayā
yakṣhye dāsyāmi modiṣhya ity ajñāna-vimohitāḥ
aneka-chitta-vibhrāntā moha-jāla-samāvṛitāḥ
prasaktāḥ kāma-bhogeṣhu patanti narake ’śhuchau
āḍhyaḥ abhijana-vān asmi kaḥ anyaḥ asti sadṛiśhaḥ mayā
wealthy having highly placed relatives me who else is like to me
yakṣhye dāsyāmi modiṣhye iti ajñāna vimohitāḥ
I shall perform sacrifices I shall give alms I shall rejoice thus ignorance deluded
aneka chitta vibhrāntāḥ moha jāla samāvṛitāḥ
many imaginings led astray delusion mesh enveloped
prasaktāḥ kāma-bhogeṣhu patanti narake aśhuchau
addicted gratification of sensuous pleasures descend to hell murky
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'I am wealthy and high-born; who else is equal to me? I shall sacrifice, I shall give alms, I shall rejoice.' Thus they think, deluded by ignorance.
Verse 16
aneka-citta-vibhrāntā moha-jāla-samāvṛtāḥ prasaktāḥ kāma-bhogeṣu patanti narake 'śucau
aneka citta-vibhrāntāḥ moha jāla samāvṛtāḥ prasaktāḥ kāma bhogeṣu patanti narake aśucau
numerous perplexed by anxieties of illusions by a network surrounded attached lust sense gratification glides down into hell unclean.
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Bewildered by numerous thoughts, ensnared in the net of delusion, addicted to sensual pleasures, they fall into a wretched Naraka.
Verse 17
ātma-sambhāvitāḥ stabdhā dhana-māna-madānvitāḥ
yajante nāma-yajñais te dambhenāvidhi-pūrvakam
ātma-sambhāvitāḥ stabdhāḥ dhana māna mada anvitāḥ
self-conceited stubborn wealth pride arrogance full of
yajante nāma yajñaiḥ te dambhena avidhi-pūrvakam
perform sacrifice in name only sacrifices they ostentatiously with no regards to the rules of the scriptures
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Self-conceited, self-sufficient, intoxicated by wealth and pride, they perform sacrifices in name only, ostentatiously and not according to the injunctions of the scriptures.
Verse 18
ahankāraṁ balaṁ darpaṁ kāmaṁ krodhaṁ cha sanśhritāḥ
mām ātma-para-deheṣhu pradviṣhanto ’bhyasūyakāḥ
ahankāram balam darpam kāmam krodham cha sanśhritāḥ
egotism strength arrogance desire anger and covered by
mām ātma-para-deheṣhu pradviṣhantaḥ abhyasūyakāḥ
me within one’s own and bodies of others abuse the demoniac
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Depending on their egoism, power, and pride, as well as their desires and wrath, these malicious men hate Me in their own bodies and in those of others.
Verse 19
tān ahaṁ dviṣhataḥ krūrān sansāreṣhu narādhamān
kṣhipāmy ajasram aśhubhān āsurīṣhv eva yoniṣhu
tān aham dviṣhataḥ krūrān sansāreṣhu nara-adhamān
these I hateful cruel in the material world the vile and vicious of humankind
kṣhipāmi ajasram aśhubhān āsurīṣhu eva yoniṣhu
I hurl again and again inauspicious demoniac indeed in to the wombs
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Those who are hateful, cruel, the vilest and most inauspicious of mankind, I hurl forever into the cycles of births and deaths, into the wombs of demons.
Verse 20
āsurīṁ yonim āpannā mūḍhā janmani janmani
mām aprāpyaiva kaunteya tato yānty adhamāṁ gatim
āsurīm yonim āpannāḥ mūḍhāḥ janmani janmani
demoniac wombs gaining the ignorant in birth after birth
mām aprāpya eva kaunteya tataḥ yānti adhamām gatim
me failing to reach even Arjun, the son of Kunti thereafter go abominable destination
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Fallen into demoniac wombs in birth after birth, these deluded men, not attaining Me, further sink down to the lowest level, O Arjuna.
Verse 21
tri-vidhaṁ narakasyedaṁ dvāraṁ nāśhanam ātmanaḥ
kāmaḥ krodhas tathā lobhas tasmād etat trayaṁ tyajet
tri-vidham narakasya idam dvāram nāśhanam ātmanaḥ
three types of to the hell this gates destruction self
kāmaḥ krodhaḥ tathā lobhaḥ tasmāt etat trayam tyajet
lust anger and greed therefore these three should abandon
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Desire, wrath, and greed—these are the three gateways to Naraka, ruinous to the self. Therefore, one should abandon these three.
Verse 22
etair vimuktaḥ kaunteya tamo-dvārais tribhir naraḥ
ācharaty ātmanaḥ śhreyas tato yāti parāṁ gatim
etaiḥ vimuktaḥ kaunteya tamaḥ-dvāraiḥ tribhiḥ naraḥ
from this freed Arjun, the son of Kunti gates to darkness three a person
ācharati ātmanaḥ śhreyaḥ tataḥ yāti parām gatim
endeavor soul welfare thereby attain supreme goal
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One who has been released from these three gates of darkness, O Arjuna, works for the benefit of the self; thus, they reach the supreme state.
Verse 23
yaḥ śhāstra-vidhim utsṛijya vartate kāma-kārataḥ
na sa siddhim avāpnoti na sukhaṁ na parāṁ gatim
yaḥ śhāstra-vidhim utsṛijya vartate kāma-kārataḥ
who scriptural injunctions discarding act under the impulse of desire
na saḥ siddhim avāpnoti na sukham na parām gatim
neither they perfection attain nor happiness nor the supreme goal
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He who, abandoning the injunctions of the Sastras, acts under the influence of desire, attains neither perfection nor pleasure, nor the supreme state.
Verse 24
tasmāch chhāstraṁ pramāṇaṁ te kāryākārya-vyavasthitau
jñātvā śhāstra-vidhānoktaṁ karma kartum ihārhasi
tasmāt śhāstram pramāṇam te kārya akārya vyavasthitau
therefore scriptures authority your duty forbidden action in determining
jñātvā śhāstra vidhāna uktam karma kartum iha arhasi
having understood scriptures injunctions as revealed actions perform in this world you should
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Therefore, let the Sastra be your authority for determining what should be done and what should not be done. Knowing what is enjoined in the injunctions of the Sastra, you should perform work here.