Bhagavad Gita BG 16.15

Chapter 16, Verse 15 — Meaning, Translation & Explanation

आढ्योऽभिजनवानस्मि कोऽन्योऽस्ति सदृशो मया । यक्ष्ये दास्यामि मोदिष्य इत्यज्ञानविमोहिताः ॥

adhyo 'bhijana-van asmi ko 'nyo 'sti sadrsho maya yakshye dashmami modishya ity ajnana-vimohitah

Meaning

I am wealthy and high-born; who else is equal to me? I shall perform yajna, I shall give, I shall rejoice — thus deluded by ignorance.

Understanding

The demonic monologue reaches its social dimension: Adhyah (I am wealthy — adhya = rich, prosperous). Abhijana-van asmi (I am of high birth/lineage — abhijana = noble lineage). Ko 'nyo 'sti sadrsho maya (who else exists who is equal to me? — the claim to unique superiority). Then the religious performance: yakshye (I shall perform yajna — ritual sacrifice, but for display). Dashyami (I shall give — dana, but for recognition). Modishye (I shall rejoice — but in the show, not in actual devotion). Iti ajnana-vimohitah (thus deluded by ignorance — vimohita = greatly deluded; by ajnana). The corruption of dharmic acts: yajna (sacrifice), dana (giving), and enjoyment, when performed from ego, become demonic. The acts are right; the orientation is wrong. Ajnana is the root — without knowledge of the Self and the Divine, even sacred acts become ego-performances.

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