Bhagavad Gita 10.4 — The Many Inner States of Beings Arise from the Lord
बुद्धिर्ज्ञानमसम्मोहः क्षमा सत्यं दमः शमः ।
सुखं दुःखं भवोऽभावो भयं चाभयमेव च ॥ १०.४ ॥
🔊 Listen to meaning of this shloka
Current voice: —
Ready
Text-to-speech is not supported by this browser.
The Blessed Lord said: Intellect, knowledge, freedom from delusion, forgiveness, truthfulness, control of the senses, control of the mind, pleasure and pain, birth and death, fear and also fearlessness.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| buddhiḥ | intellect, power of discrimination |
| jñānam | knowledge |
| asammohaḥ | freedom from delusion |
| kṣhamā | forgiveness |
| satyam | truthfulness |
| damaḥ | control of the senses |
| śhamaḥ | control of the mind, tranquility |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| sukham | pleasure, happiness |
| duḥkham | pain, sorrow |
| bhavaḥ | birth, existence |
| abhāvaḥ | death, non-existence |
| bhayam | fear |
| cha | and |
| abhayam | fearlessness |
| eva | also |
| cha | and |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| buddhiḥ | intellect, power of discrimination | sukham | pleasure, happiness |
| jñānam | knowledge | duḥkham | pain, sorrow |
| asammohaḥ | freedom from delusion | bhavaḥ | birth, existence |
| kṣhamā | forgiveness | abhāvaḥ | death, non-existence |
| satyam | truthfulness | bhayam | fear |
| damaḥ | control of the senses | cha | and |
| śhamaḥ | control of the mind, tranquility | abhayam | fearlessness |
| eva | also | ||
| cha | and | ||
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
In this verse, Lord Krishna begins a remarkable list of the inner qualities and states found in living beings, and declares that they all have their origin in Him. The verse invites Arjuna to see even the subtle features of human psychology as part of one divine source.
Essence
The Inner World Has a Source Too
Having said that He is the origin of the gods and sages, Lord Krishna now turns to something much closer to us: the qualities of the mind and heart. Verses 4 and 5 form one continuous sentence, listing twenty qualities. Here are the first ten.
Buddhi (discriminative intelligence): the ability to distinguish between right and wrong, real and unreal. Jñāna (knowledge): understanding of the self and of truth. Asammoha (freedom from bewilderment): clarity in moments of confusion.
Kṣamā (forgiveness): the capacity to remain at peace when wronged. Satyam (truthfulness): alignment of word, thought and deed with reality. Damaḥ (self-restraint): mastery over the outer senses. Śamaḥ (calmness of mind): inner tranquillity.
Sukham and duḥkham (pleasure and pain): the two experiences that all beings undergo. Bhava and abhāva (existence and non-existence): birth and death, arising and passing away. Bhayam and abhayam (fear and fearlessness): the opposite states that shape how we face life.
Why Are Opposites Placed Together?
It is striking that Lord Krishna includes both virtues and their opposites: pleasure and pain, fear and fearlessness. This is deliberate. He is teaching that the entire spectrum of experience occurs within the field of His creation and under His order. Virtues are not a private possession of the individual, and difficulties are not an accident outside divine order.
This does not excuse harmful behaviour. Rather, it directs our vision toward the Source and encourages us to cultivate the uplifting qualities, since they bring us closer to Him.
Message for Everyday Life (Cultivating Inner Qualities)
Inner wealth is the real wealth: Qualities such as forgiveness, calm and truthfulness decide the quality of our life far more than possessions do. We can deliberately practise them every day.
Accept the full range of experience: Pleasure and pain, fear and courage will all visit us. Seeing them as passing states rather than as our identity helps us respond with balance.
The Inner World Has a Source Too
Having said that He is the origin of the gods and sages, Lord Krishna now turns to something much closer to us: the qualities of the mind and heart. Verses 4 and 5 form one continuous sentence, listing twenty qualities. Here are the first ten.
Buddhi (discriminative intelligence): the ability to distinguish between right and wrong, real and unreal. Jñāna (knowledge): understanding of the self and of truth. Asammoha (freedom from bewilderment): clarity in moments of confusion.
Kṣamā (forgiveness): the capacity to remain at peace when wronged. Satyam (truthfulness): alignment of word, thought and deed with reality. Damaḥ (self-restraint): mastery over the outer senses. Śamaḥ (calmness of mind): inner tranquillity.
Sukham and duḥkham (pleasure and pain): the two experiences that all beings undergo. Bhava and abhāva (existence and non-existence): birth and death, arising and passing away. Bhayam and abhayam (fear and fearlessness): the opposite states that shape how we face life.
Why Are Opposites Placed Together?
It is striking that Lord Krishna includes both virtues and their opposites: pleasure and pain, fear and fearlessness. This is deliberate. He is teaching that the entire spectrum of experience occurs within the field of His creation and under His order. Virtues are not a private possession of the individual, and difficulties are not an accident outside divine order.
This does not excuse harmful behaviour. Rather, it directs our vision toward the Source and encourages us to cultivate the uplifting qualities, since they bring us closer to Him.
Message for Everyday Life (Cultivating Inner Qualities)
Inner wealth is the real wealth: Qualities such as forgiveness, calm and truthfulness decide the quality of our life far more than possessions do. We can deliberately practise them every day.
Accept the full range of experience: Pleasure and pain, fear and courage will all visit us. Seeing them as passing states rather than as our identity helps us respond with balance.
Next Topic
Lord Krishna has listed the first ten qualities of the inner life, from intelligence and forgiveness to fear and fearlessness. The list continues in the next verse with a further ten, completing the picture of how every disposition of living beings springs from Him.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
The mind is a field where both virtues and fears grow.
Joy and sorrow visit everyone; wisdom keeps the door open to both.
A truthful life needs no hiding.
A quiet mind is a strong mind.
Letting go is a form of strength.
Fearlessness grows where understanding grows.
The intellect is a lamp; use it to see, not to blind.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'damaḥ' (control of the senses) and 'śhamaḥ' (control of the mind)?
Why are both positive and negative states listed in this verse?
What does 'asammohaḥ' (freedom from delusion) mean?
What is the meaning of 'bhavaḥ' (birth, existence) and 'abhāvaḥ' (death, non-existence)?
Does this verse continue in the next one?
Explore related topics
More shlokas on the themes this verse touches: