Bhagavad Gita · Verse 5.15
Chapter 5: Karma Sannyasa Yoga (कर्मसंन्यासयोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
नादत्ते कस्यचित्पापं न चैव सुकृतं विभुः । अज्ञानेनावृतं ज्ञानं तेन मुह्यन्ति जन्तवः ॥१५॥
nādatte kasyacitpāpaṃ na caiva sukṛtaṃ vibhuḥ | ajñānenāvṛtaṃ jñānaṃ tena muhyanti jantavaḥ ||15||
Complete Shloka Translation
The all-pervading one takes on neither anyone's sin nor merit. Knowledge is covered by ignorance, and because of this beings are deluded.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| विभुः | vibhuḥ | all-pervading one |
| अज्ञान | ajñāna | ignorance |
| नादत्ते | nādatte | [term] in context of The all-pervading one takes on... |
| कस्यचित्पापं | kasyacitpāpaṃ | [term] in context of The all-pervading one takes on... |
| चैव | na | [term] in context of The all-pervading one takes on... |
| सुकृतं | caiva | [term] in context of The all-pervading one takes on... |
| अज्ञानेनावृतं | vibhuḥ | [term] in context of The all-pervading one takes on... |
| ज्ञानं | ajñānenāvṛtaṃ | [term] in context of The all-pervading one takes on... |
| तेन | jñānaṃ | [term] in context of The all-pervading one takes on... |
| मुह्यन्ति | tena | [term] in context of The all-pervading one takes on... |
| जन्तवः | muhyanti | [term] in context of The all-pervading one takes on... |
| १५ | jantavaḥ | [term] in context of The all-pervading one takes on... |
all-pervading one
ignorance
[term] in context of The all-pervading one takes on...
[term] in context of The all-pervading one takes on...
[term] in context of The all-pervading one takes on...
[term] in context of The all-pervading one takes on...
[term] in context of The all-pervading one takes on...
[term] in context of The all-pervading one takes on...
[term] in context of The all-pervading one takes on...
[term] in context of The all-pervading one takes on...
[term] in context of The all-pervading one takes on...
[term] in context of The all-pervading one takes on...
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
The verse locates delusion in ignorance covering knowledge. Vibhu and the nonappropriation of merit and sin are explained within differing accounts of the self and the divine.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Ignorance can obscure judgment without removing the possibility of clearer understanding."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
What assumption may be obscuring your judgment?
Modern Life Implementation (Practical Real-Life Application)
Apply this verse to master calm detachment in daily work: act with full excellence and sincerity, but like water sliding off a lotus leaf, let neither praise nor blame stain your inner composure.