Vigour, forgiveness, fortitude, purity, absence of hatred, absence of pride these belong to the one born for a divine state, O Arjuna.
In simple words
Krishna finishes the list: "Energy. Forgiveness. Inner strength. Cleanliness. Freedom from hatred. Freedom from excessive pride. These qualities belong to the person born for a divine life, Arjuna."
Word-by-word meanings
तेजःvigourक्षमाforgivenessधृतिःfortitudeशौचम्purityअद्रोहःabsence of hatredनातिमानिताabsence of overprideभवन्तिbelongसम्पदम्stateदैवीम्divineअभिजातस्यto the one born forभारतO descendant of Bharata (Arjuna)
Contemporary scholarly and practical interpretations for modern seekers.
Swami Sivananda
16.3 तेजः vigour? क्षमा forgiveness? धृतिः fortitude? शौचम् purity? अद्रोहः absence of hatred? नातिमानिता absence of overpride? भवन्ति belong? सम्पदम् state? दैवीम् divine? अभिजातस्य to the one born for? भारत O descendant of Bharata (Arjuna).Commentary Tejas Vigour? energy? brilliance or lustre of the skin. The aspirant who is bent on attaining salvation marches boldly on the spiritual path. Nothing can tempt him or slacken his progress. This unbroken progress towards the realisation of the Self or the Absolute is lustre. It overcomes the downward pull of Tamas.Kshama Forgiveness. He who is endowed with this virtue does not exhibit anger even when he is insulted? ruked or beaten? although he is strong enough to take vengeance. He is unaffected by the insult or injury.Dhriti The sage absorbs within himself all calamities. He is steadfast even when he is in very adverse and trying conditions this is a particular Sattvic Vritti or state of mind which removes depression or exhaustion of the body and senses when they sink down. An aspirant who is endowed with this divine attribute never gets disheartened? even when he is under severe trials and difficulties or tribulations. Dhriti is a divine pickmeup (tonic) when the body and the senses are in a state of low spirits or dejection.Saucham Purity. This is of two kinds? viz.? external and internal. External purity is achieved by means of earth and water. The mind and heart (intellect) are freed from Maya (deception? lust? anger? greed? pride? jealousy? hypocrisy? likes and dislikes) by the practice of celibacy? forgiveness? friendliness? charity? humility? nobilit? love? complacency? compassion? etc. -- this is internal purity. This is more important than external purity.Adroha Absence of hatred? absence of desire to injure others.Atimanita is great pride. A proud man thinks that he is superior to others and that he is worthy of being honoured by others. Naatimanita is the opposite of this ality.Tejas? Kshama and Dhriti are the special alities or Dharmas of the Kshatriyas (warrior class). These are the Sattvic alities of Kshatriyas. Saucham and Adroha are the special Dharmas of the Vaisyas. They are the Sattvic alities of the Vaisyas (merchant class). Absence of pride is the special Dharma of the Sudras (servant class). It is a Sattvic ality that belongs to the Sudras.The divine wealth or Daivi Sampat consists of twentysix attributes. This is a rare gift from the Lord. This is an inexhaustible wealth which cannot be taken away by dacoits. This helps the aspirant attain the imperishable and immacultate Brahmic seat. It is the shortcut to the realm of eternal bliss or Moksha.
Swami Chinmayananda
This interpretation draws on a specific tradition and may not represent the view of any single school. For authoritative guidance within a specific tradition, seek a qualified teacher.
# BG 16.3 — On the Divine Qualities
**Radiance (Tejas)**
Radiance is not merely the glow upon one's face—that which comes from nourishing food and adequate rest. When the wise speak of tejas, they do not mean only the physical beauty or luminosity of the body. The radiance of the spiritual path is not some halo of fire dancing around the sage's countenance. The radiance of one who perceives truth is the brilliance of their intellect, the joy that sparkles in their eyes, the fragrance of peace that cools the hearts of the afflicted, the unwavering balance they maintain in all their actions, the joy of love that dwells in their heart for all beings, and the light of bliss that radiates from their innermost being. This radiance becomes the magnetic power of such a sage's presence—one who serves all with abundant strength and enthusiasm, and finds blessing in that very service.
**Forgiveness (Kshama)**
In the context where this quality is mentioned, its meaning deepens. Forgiveness is not merely the capacity to bear ordinary suffering, insult, and pain with patience. It is the subtle courage to face even the most powerful opposition and the most agitating circumstances of the outer world, while maintaining unshakeable peace.
**Steadfastness (Dhriti)**
When one wishes to live courageously, one cannot expect life to always provide pleasant surroundings, favorable circumstances, and fortunate opportunities for success. Ordinarily, a person of weak character is suddenly overtaken by despair and abandons their work incomplete. Many lose heart and give up their endeavor precisely when victory is about to crown them. To remain steadfast in one's work, one requires an additional strength—a hidden power within the disciplined person—which is dhriti, or fortitude. It is the power of faith, trust in one's aim, unity of purpose, clear vision of the ideal, and the courageous spirit of sacrifice. These are the sources from which the drops of dhriti flow, washing away toil, depression, and despair.
**Purity (Shaucham)**
This word signifies not only the purity of one's thoughts and intentions, but also the cleanliness of one's environment, garments, and possessions. Due to excessive emphasis on inner purity alone, we have witnessed the neglect of outer cleanliness in our society. The cleanliness of garments and cities has become rare in our nation. Though our dharma declares both purity and cleanliness essential for the seeker, even the devout appear indifferent to them.
**Absence of Malice (Adroha)**
Ahimsa means causing no harm to any being; adroha means that the thought of malice never arises in one's mind. Just as no person would ever think of harming themselves even in a dream, so too does one who has realized the unity of all beings never harbor ill will toward anyone—for to cause suffering to another is to wound oneself.
**Absence of Excessive Pride (Na Atimanita)**
This means not entertaining exaggerated thoughts about one's own worthiness. When one is free from excessive pride, one immediately liberates oneself from countless unnecessary agitations and needless responsibilities. For the humble person, life becomes as light as a bird's wing, whereas for the proud person, life becomes like a gallows that they must bear with great suffering, as it mercilessly tears at their shoulders.
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The twenty-six qualities enumerated above paint a complete portrait of the nature of one endowed with divine wealth. These qualities are presented here as guidance for all seekers who desire to attain perfection. To the extent that we are able to reorganize our lives in accordance with these divine qualities and transform our perspective on life, to that extent we can arrest the wasteful expenditure of our energies and preserve them. To honor these life values and live by them is to embrace the path of righteous living.
Now, let us describe the demoniac wealth.