ahinsā satyam akrodhas tyāgaḥ śhāntir apaiśhunam
dayā bhūteṣhv aloluptvaṁ mārdavaṁ hrīr achāpalam
ahinsā — non-violence;
satyam — truthfulness;
akrodhaḥ — absence of anger;
tyāgaḥ — renunciation;
śhāntiḥ — peacefulness;
apaiśhunam — restraint from fault-finding;
dayā — compassion;
bhūteṣhu — toward all living beings;
aloluptvam — absence of covetousness;
mārdavam — gentleness;
hrīḥ — modesty;
achāpalam — lack of fickleness;
In this verse, Krishna talks about important qualities that someone should have if they want to grow spiritually and become a better person. Let’s break down each quality to make it clearer:
1. **Harmlessness (Ahimsa)**: This means not just avoiding physical harm to others, but also not doing anything that would stop them from growing spiritually. For example, if someone eats meat, they are harming an animal and hindering its chance to grow spiritually. Real harmlessness is about letting all living beings move forward in their journey without interference.
2. **Truthfulness (Satyam)**: Telling the truth is important, but it also means sharing knowledge correctly. When we talk about spirituality, we should present it as it is, without twisting it to suit our own needs. We should learn from honest teachers and avoid modifying sacred texts like the Bhagavad Gita for personal advantage. Our goal should be to share knowledge that helps others, not confuse them.
3. **Absence of Anger (Akrodha)**: This means staying calm even when someone provokes you. Anger comes from desires and can cloud your mind. When a person is angry, it creates a mess in their thoughts and feelings, making it hard to be spiritually focused. By controlling anger, we keep our minds clear and pure.
4. **Renunciation (Tyaga)**: This is about letting go of selfish desires and attachments. It does not just mean getting rid of physical possessions; it also means separating ourselves from wanting too much. When we do this, we become more peaceful because we stop being disturbed by things we do not have or situations outside our control.
5. **Peacefulness (Shanti)**: This comes from letting go of desires. When we aren’t constantly worried about what we want or what others think of us, we can enjoy a peaceful mind. When you let go of what disturbs you, peace fills the space instead.
6. **Absence of Crookedness (Apaiśhunam)**: This quality means being honest and straightforward, without cheating or manipulating others. It’s important to speak the truth and not falsely accuse or judge others for personal gain.
7. **Compassion for Beings (Dayā)**: This means caring for others and wanting to help them alleviate their suffering. It's about feeling for all living beings and supporting them, especially in their spiritual growth.
8. **Non-Covetousness (Aloluptvam)**: This quality is about being free from greed. Instead of wanting more things for yourself, it means being content with what you have. Real happiness comes from understanding and spiritual wisdom, not from material gains.
9. **Gentleness (Mārdavam)**: This quality emphasizes kindness and being soft in our behavior. It means treating everyone with respect and consideration, being caring rather than harsh.
10. **Modesty (Hrī)**: Modesty is about being humble and avoiding actions that bring shame. It’s important not to act in ways that are degrading to yourself or others.
11. **Absence of Fickleness (Achāpalam)**: This means having a steady mind that is not easily disturbed by temporary feelings or desires. When your mind is focused on spiritual goals, you can stay on your path without being swayed by changing emotions or distractions.
Overall, these qualities help a person grow spiritually and build a more meaningful life. Krishna emphasizes following these traits to develop a good character and connect more deeply with others and with the divine.