Bhagavad Gita 16.3 — Radiance, Forgiveness and Humility: Marks of One Born with Divine Wealth
तेजः क्षमा धृतिः शौचमद्रोहो नातिमानिता ।
भवन्ति सम्पदं दैवीमभिजातस्य भारत ॥ १६.३ ॥
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Vigor, forgiveness, fortitude, cleanliness, freedom from malice and absence of excessive pride: these qualities belong to one who is born with a divine nature, O Arjuna, descendant of Bharata.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| tejaḥ | vigor, radiance, spiritual brilliance |
| kṣhamā | forgiveness |
| dhṛitiḥ | fortitude, patience in adversity |
| śhaucham | cleanliness, purity of body and mind |
| adrohaḥ | freedom from malice, absence of hatred |
| na | not |
| ati-mānitā | excessive pride, desire for honour |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| bhavanti | are, belong to |
| sampadam | endowment, wealth |
| daivīm | divine |
| abhijātasya | of one who is born with |
| bhārata | O descendant of Bharata (Arjuna) |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| tejaḥ | vigor, radiance, spiritual brilliance | bhavanti | are, belong to |
| kṣhamā | forgiveness | sampadam | endowment, wealth |
| dhṛitiḥ | fortitude, patience in adversity | daivīm | divine |
| śhaucham | cleanliness, purity of body and mind | abhijātasya | of one who is born with |
| adrohaḥ | freedom from malice, absence of hatred | bhārata | O descendant of Bharata (Arjuna) |
| na | not | ||
| ati-mānitā | excessive pride, desire for honour | ||
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
Here Lord Krishna completes the list of divine qualities by naming the final six, and then clarifies who possesses them: the one who is born with a divine endowment. With this verse, the full set of twenty-six virtues of the daivī sampad is complete, giving Arjuna and every seeker a clear mirror in which to examine themselves.
Essence
The Strength Behind Gentleness
The divine qualities are sometimes misunderstood as passive or weak. This verse corrects that impression by beginning with strength and ending with humility.
Tejaḥ (radiance, vigor, spiritual brilliance): This is not aggression or showiness. It is the quiet inner luster of a person whose life is aligned with truth, a presence that inspires respect without demanding it.
Kṣamā (forgiveness): Forgiveness is a sign of strength, not weakness. Holding resentment binds us to the very person who hurt us; forgiving releases us. Kṣamā does not mean approving of wrongdoing, but refusing to let bitterness poison the heart.
Dhṛtiḥ (fortitude, steadfastness): The capacity to remain firm in one's values and efforts despite hardship, delay, or disappointment. Without dhṛti, even the best intentions dissolve at the first difficulty.
Śaucam (cleanliness): Both outer and inner purity. Outer cleanliness supports clarity of mind, while inner cleanliness means honest earnings, honest thoughts, and a mind free of malice.
Adrohaḥ (freedom from malice) and na atimānitā (absence of excessive pride): The divine person does not harbor ill will or the desire to harm others, and does not inflate the self with a sense of superiority. These two qualities guard against the ego's most subtle traps.
Abhijātasya (one who is born with): The phrase suggests that these qualities are the natural inheritance of a person whose past tendencies and present effort have prepared them for spiritual life. Yet they are also available to be cultivated by anyone who sincerely seeks them.
Message for Everyday Life (Strong, Forgiving, and Humble)
Forgive to free yourself: Think of a grudge you have been carrying. Ask yourself what it costs you each day in peace of mind. Kṣamā is a practical path to emotional freedom.
Practical approach: Success often increases pride. Make it a habit to credit the people and circumstances that helped you. This simple practice keeps strength and humility together, exactly as this verse envisions.
The Strength Behind Gentleness
The divine qualities are sometimes misunderstood as passive or weak. This verse corrects that impression by beginning with strength and ending with humility.
Tejaḥ (radiance, vigor, spiritual brilliance): This is not aggression or showiness. It is the quiet inner luster of a person whose life is aligned with truth, a presence that inspires respect without demanding it.
Kṣamā (forgiveness): Forgiveness is a sign of strength, not weakness. Holding resentment binds us to the very person who hurt us; forgiving releases us. Kṣamā does not mean approving of wrongdoing, but refusing to let bitterness poison the heart.
Dhṛtiḥ (fortitude, steadfastness): The capacity to remain firm in one's values and efforts despite hardship, delay, or disappointment. Without dhṛti, even the best intentions dissolve at the first difficulty.
Śaucam (cleanliness): Both outer and inner purity. Outer cleanliness supports clarity of mind, while inner cleanliness means honest earnings, honest thoughts, and a mind free of malice.
Adrohaḥ (freedom from malice) and na atimānitā (absence of excessive pride): The divine person does not harbor ill will or the desire to harm others, and does not inflate the self with a sense of superiority. These two qualities guard against the ego's most subtle traps.
Abhijātasya (one who is born with): The phrase suggests that these qualities are the natural inheritance of a person whose past tendencies and present effort have prepared them for spiritual life. Yet they are also available to be cultivated by anyone who sincerely seeks them.
Message for Everyday Life (Strong, Forgiving, and Humble)
Forgive to free yourself: Think of a grudge you have been carrying. Ask yourself what it costs you each day in peace of mind. Kṣamā is a practical path to emotional freedom.
Practical approach: Success often increases pride. Make it a habit to credit the people and circumstances that helped you. This simple practice keeps strength and humility together, exactly as this verse envisions.
Next Topic
The picture of the divine endowment is now complete. But a bright quality is best understood beside its opposite. In the next verse, Lord Krishna turns to the contrasting nature, the āsurī sampad, and names the traits that darken the human heart: hypocrisy, arrogance, conceit, anger, harshness, and ignorance.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
Holding a grudge is carrying a fire to throw at another.
True strength is gentle and steady.
Pride closes the door that humility opens.
Storms pass; steady hearts remain.
Clarity of mind begins with cleanliness of habit.
A good character shines without light.
The richest are rich in virtue.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'tejas' (radiance) mean here?
How is 'kṣhamā' (forgiveness) different from weakness?
What does 'dhṛiti' (fortitude) refer to?
What is 'nāti-mānitā' (absence of excessive pride)?
Why is Arjuna addressed as 'bhārata' (descendant of Bharata) here?
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