|| 16.2 ||
अहिंसा सत्यमक्रोधस्त्यागः शान्तिरपैशुनम्। दया भूतेष्वलोलुप्त्वं मार्दवं ह्रीरचापलम्।।
ahiṁsā satyam akrodhas tyāgaḥ śāntir apaiśunam dayā bhūteṣv aloluptvaṁ mārdavaṁ hrīr acāpalam
Word by Word
ahiṁsā (nonviolence) satyam (truthfulness) akrodhaḥ (freedom from anger) tyāgaḥ (renunciation) śāntiḥ (tranquillity) apaiśunam (aversion to faultfinding) dayā (compassion) bhūteṣu (for all living beings) aloluptvam (freedom from greed) mārdavam (gentleness) hrīḥ (modesty) acāpalam (steady determination).
Translation
...nonviolence; truthfulness; freedom from anger; renunciation; tranquillity; aversion to faultfinding; compassion for all living entities; freedom from covetousness; gentleness; modesty; steady determination...
Meaning
Kṛṣṇa continues the list of divine traits, emphasizing ‘Apaiśunam’ or the aversion to faultfinding. It is easy to point out the flaws in others, but a divine person focuses on their own growth and treats everyone with ‘Dayā’ or compassion. They see the soul in every being, which makes violence and anger impossible.
Modesty and gentleness are also highlighted. A person in goodness is not loud or aggressive. They possess ‘Acāpalam’—a steady determination that isn’t easily distracted by the whims of the mind. They have found a center of gravity in their spiritual practice that makes them unshakable.
This verse teaches us that spirituality is visible in our social interactions. How we speak to others and how we handle our anger are the real tests of our progress. By replacing greed and faultfinding with gentleness and truth, we create an internal atmosphere where the Divine can reside comfortably.