Verse 5
दैवी सम्पद्विमोक्षाय निबन्धायासुरी मता | मा शुचः सम्पदं दैवीमभिजातोऽसि पाण्डव || ५ ||
Transliteration
daivī sampad vimokṣāya nibandhāyāsurī matā mā śucaḥ sampadaṁ daivīm abhijāto 'si pāṇḍava
Synonyms
daivī—divine; sampat—qualities; vimokṣāya—for liberation; nibandhāya—for bondage; āsurī—demoniac; matā—is considered; mā—do not; śucaḥ—grieve; sampadam—qualities; daivīm—divine; abhijātaḥ—born with; asi—you are; pāṇḍava—O son of Pandu.
Translation
“The divine qualities lead to liberation; the demoniac are considered to lead to bondage. Do not grieve, O Pandava—you are born to divine endowment.”
Multi-Tradition Commentary
The Lord reassures Arjuna—and through him, all sincere seekers—that the divine qualities naturally orient one toward liberation (moksha), while the demoniac qualities bind one ever more tightly in samsara. The assurance 'you are born to divine endowment' is not merely personal flattery but a recognition that anyone who sincerely seeks truth is already operating from the divine side of this division.
Practical Application (Modern Life)
If you are engaged in sincere spiritual practice, self-examination, and seeking truth, you already belong to the daivi sampat category. Do not let awareness of your personal shortcomings convince you otherwise. The very fact that you recognize your faults and wish to transcend them is itself a divine quality. Grief about your imperfection is unnecessary—clear-eyed effort is what is called for.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Bhagavad Gita 16.5 mean?
The divine qualities lead to liberation; the demoniac are considered to lead to bondage. Do not grieve, O Pandava—you are born to divine endowment.
What is the word-by-word meaning of Bhagavad Gita 16.5?
daivī—divine; sampat—qualities; vimokṣāya—for liberation; nibandhāya—for bondage; āsurī—demoniac; matā—is considered; mā—do not; śucaḥ—grieve; sampadam—qualities; daivīm—divine; abhijātaḥ—born with; asi—you are; pāṇḍava—O son of Pandu.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 16.5 in daily life?
If you are engaged in sincere spiritual practice, self-examination, and seeking truth, you already belong to the daivi sampat category. Do not let awareness of your personal shortcomings convince you otherwise. The very fact that you recognize your faults and wish to transcend them is itself a divine quality. Grief about your imperfection is unnecessary—clear-eyed effort is what is called for.