ahiṁsā samatā tuṣṭis tapo dānaṁ yaśo 'yaśaḥ bhavanti bhāvā bhūtānāṁ matta eva pṛthag-vidhāḥ
ahiṁsā — nonviolence;
samatā — equilibrium;
tuṣṭiḥ — satisfaction;
tapaḥ — penance;
dānam — charity;
yaśaḥ — fame;
ayaśaḥ — infamy;
bhavanti — become;
bhāvāḥ — natures;
bhūtānām — of living entities;
mattaḥ — from Me;
eva — certainly;
pṛthakvidhāḥ — differently arranged.
In this verse, Krishna talks about important qualities that come from Him. Let's break down these qualities:
1. **Non-injury (Ahimsa)**: This means not hurting others. It’s about kindness and ensuring that our actions do not bring harm to anyone. True non-violence is not just about not hitting someone; it also means helping others grow spiritually and guiding them. When people focus only on material things without thinking about their spiritual health, it can lead to unhappiness.
2. **Equanimity (Samatā)**: This quality is about balance. It means staying calm and not getting too excited or too upset, regardless of what happens. It's about accepting things for what they are and not judging them based on how they benefit us. For example, if something good happens, we shouldn't get overly thrilled, and if something bad happens, we shouldn't fall into despair. Instead, we should see everything as an opportunity for spiritual growth.
3. **Contentment (Tuṣṭi)**: Being content is about being happy with what you have. It means not always wanting more. If we can appreciate the things we have, we won’t feel the need to chase after more material possessions unnecessarily. Contentment comes from understanding that what we have is enough and is given to us for a reason.
4. **Austerity (Tapas)**: This is about self-discipline. It often means doing things that might be difficult for our own betterment. For example, waking up early or fasting can be tough, but these sacrifices can help us become better people. However, these actions should be in line with rules and teachings that promote spiritual growth, rather than just being tough for the sake of it.
5. **Beneficence (Dāna)**: This refers to being generous or charitable. It means helping others, especially in ways that uplift their spiritual understanding and connection to God. According to spiritual teachings, it's best to give to those who are working on spiritual matters, such as teachers and those who have given up worldly things to help others on their spiritual journey.
6. **Fame (Yaśa)** and **Infamy (Ayaśa)**: Fame here is about being known for being a good person, especially as someone who deeply loves God. On the other hand, infamy is being known for the wrong reasons. If we live a life of devotion and hold sacred values, we will earn respect and positive recognition.
Krishna explains that all these traits, whether they are good like kindness and contentment or bad like infamy, come from Him. Recognizing that everything in life is connected through Him is a part of true wisdom. It helps us see how everything affects everything else. When we develop these qualities, we align ourselves with Krishna’s teachings and grow closer to understanding our true purpose in life.