Bhagavad Gita · Verse 16.9
Chapter 16: Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga (दैवासुरसम्पद्विभागयोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
एतां दृष्टिमवष्टभ्य नष्टात्मानोऽल्पबुद्धयः । प्रभवन्त्युग्रकर्माणः क्षयाय जगतोऽहिताः ॥९॥
etāṃ dṛṣṭimavaṣṭabhya naṣṭātmāno'lpabuddhayaḥ | prabhavantyugrakarmāṇaḥ kṣayāya jagato'hitāḥ ||9||
Complete Shloka Translation
Holding to this view, those who have lost their spiritual direction and have little understanding engage in fierce actions, harmful to the world and tending toward its destruction.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| उग्रकर्मन् | ugrakarman | one performing fierce actions |
| अहित | ahita | harmful |
| एतां | etāṃ | [term] in context of Holding to this view, those wh... |
| दृष्टिमवष्टभ्य | dṛṣṭimavaṣṭabhya | [term] in context of Holding to this view, those wh... |
| नष्टात्मानोऽल्पबुद्धयः | naṣṭātmāno'lpabuddhayaḥ | [term] in context of Holding to this view, those wh... |
| प्रभवन्त्युग्रकर्माणः | prabhavantyugrakarmāṇaḥ | [term] in context of Holding to this view, those wh... |
| क्षयाय | kṣayāya | [term] in context of Holding to this view, those wh... |
| जगतोऽहिताः | jagato'hitāḥ | [term] in context of Holding to this view, those wh... |
one performing fierce actions
harmful
[term] in context of Holding to this view, those wh...
[term] in context of Holding to this view, those wh...
[term] in context of Holding to this view, those wh...
[term] in context of Holding to this view, those wh...
[term] in context of Holding to this view, those wh...
[term] in context of Holding to this view, those wh...
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
The criticized outlook in 16.8 is connected with destructive conduct. The emphasis lies on how distorted understanding can enable harm; this is a call to examine consequences rather than an instruction to attack people with different beliefs.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Judge an idea partly by the harm or care it produces in action."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
What consequences follow from an idea you strongly defend?
Modern Life Implementation (Practical Real-Life Application)
Apply this verse to master daily focus: anchor your consciousness in higher values, let go of anxious attachment to results, and act with integrity and kindness in every endeavor.