Bhagavad Gita 16.15 — 'Who Is Equal to Me?': Wealth, Status and Ignorant Pride
आढ्योऽभिजनवानस्मि कोऽन्योऽस्ति सदृशो मया ।
यक्ष्ये दास्यामि मोदिष्य इत्यज्ञानविमोहिताः ॥ १६.१५ ॥
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"I am rich and of noble birth. Who else is equal to me? I shall perform sacrifices, I shall give charity, I shall rejoice." Thus they are deluded by ignorance.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| āḍhyaḥ | wealthy, rich |
| abhijanavān | of noble birth, surrounded by high-born relatives |
| asmi | I am |
| kaḥ | who |
| anyaḥ | else |
| asti | is there |
| sadṛiśhaḥ | equal |
| mayā | to me |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| yakṣhye | I shall perform sacrifices |
| dāsyāmi | I shall give charity |
| modiṣhye | I shall rejoice |
| iti | thus |
| ajñāna-vimohitāḥ | deluded by ignorance |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| āḍhyaḥ | wealthy, rich | yakṣhye | I shall perform sacrifices |
| abhijanavān | of noble birth, surrounded by high-born relatives | dāsyāmi | I shall give charity |
| asmi | I am | modiṣhye | I shall rejoice |
| kaḥ | who | iti | thus |
| anyaḥ | else | ajñāna-vimohitāḥ | deluded by ignorance |
| asti | is there | ||
| sadṛiśhaḥ | equal | ||
| mayā | to me | ||
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
The self-glorification of the demoniac mind continues in this verse: I am wealthy, I belong to a distinguished family, who is there like me? Such people may even plan sacrifices and charity, but they do so only to feed pleasure and pride. Lord Krishna says that they are bewildered by ignorance.
Essence
Pride in Wealth and Birth
Āḍhyaḥ (rich) and abhijanavān (born in a high family): Wealth and lineage are the two classic sources of social pride. Neither is wrong in itself, but when a person's identity rests on them, humility becomes impossible.
Ko 'nyo 'sti sadṛśo mayā (who else is equal to me?): The question is rhetorical and reveals a deep comparison habit. The ego must always rank itself above others. Interestingly, such comparison creates its own anxiety, for there will always be someone richer, stronger, or more admired.
Yakṣye dāsyāmi modiṣye (I will perform sacrifice, I will give charity, I will rejoice): This is one of the most subtle observations in the chapter. Even religious acts and generosity can be absorbed by ego. Charity done for reputation, and ritual performed for display, add to pride rather than reducing it. The ending "I will rejoice" suggests that even these acts are performed for personal enjoyment.
Ajñāna-vimohitāḥ (deluded by ignorance): Lord Krishna names the root cause. Such behavior arises not from deep wickedness but from misunderstanding: confusing the body, wealth, and status with the true Self. This ignorance is not permanent; it can be removed by knowledge, which is why the Gita offers hope even to people in this condition.
Message for Everyday Life (Giving Without Showing)
Check your motives: Good deeds are valuable, but the inner motive determines their spiritual effect. Giving for applause strengthens the ego; giving quietly and sincerely purifies the heart.
Practical approach: Occasionally perform an act of service without telling anyone about it. Observe how it feels, and notice how much of our giving is secretly seeking recognition.
Pride in Wealth and Birth
Āḍhyaḥ (rich) and abhijanavān (born in a high family): Wealth and lineage are the two classic sources of social pride. Neither is wrong in itself, but when a person's identity rests on them, humility becomes impossible.
Ko 'nyo 'sti sadṛśo mayā (who else is equal to me?): The question is rhetorical and reveals a deep comparison habit. The ego must always rank itself above others. Interestingly, such comparison creates its own anxiety, for there will always be someone richer, stronger, or more admired.
Yakṣye dāsyāmi modiṣye (I will perform sacrifice, I will give charity, I will rejoice): This is one of the most subtle observations in the chapter. Even religious acts and generosity can be absorbed by ego. Charity done for reputation, and ritual performed for display, add to pride rather than reducing it. The ending "I will rejoice" suggests that even these acts are performed for personal enjoyment.
Ajñāna-vimohitāḥ (deluded by ignorance): Lord Krishna names the root cause. Such behavior arises not from deep wickedness but from misunderstanding: confusing the body, wealth, and status with the true Self. This ignorance is not permanent; it can be removed by knowledge, which is why the Gita offers hope even to people in this condition.
Message for Everyday Life (Giving Without Showing)
Check your motives: Good deeds are valuable, but the inner motive determines their spiritual effect. Giving for applause strengthens the ego; giving quietly and sincerely purifies the heart.
Practical approach: Occasionally perform an act of service without telling anyone about it. Observe how it feels, and notice how much of our giving is secretly seeking recognition.
Next Topic
Lord Krishna has exposed pride in wealth, birth, and even in religious acts. What is the final result of such a life of confusion and craving? In the next verse, He declares the destination: bewildered by many thoughts and entangled in a net of delusion, such people fall into a foul hell.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
Titles end where humility begins.
Quiet giving is the richest giving.
Everyone is equal before the Divine.
The prouder the heart, the smaller the vision.
Money shows who you are only if you share it.
Devotion without humility is performance.
Comparison steals contentment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'āḍhya' (wealthy) and 'abhijanavān' (of noble birth) show?
Why does the speaker ask 'who else is equal to me'?
Does this verse condemn 'yajña' (sacrifice) and 'dāna' (charity)?
What does 'ajñāna-vimohita' (deluded by ignorance) mean?
What is the lesson for modern life?
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