Shloka 12
Nirmaryāda-saṃgrāma-varṇana — The Unbounded Clash and Bhīṣma’s Rallying Presence
तथा वे मृत्युपर्यन्त रहनेवाली असंख्य चिन्ताओंका आश्रय लेनेवाले, विषयभोगोंके भोगनेमें तत्पर रहनेवाले और “इतना ही सुख है” इस प्रकार माननेवाले होते हैं ।। आशापाशशशरतैर्बद्धा: कामक्रोधपरायणा: । ईहन्ते कामभोगार्थमन्यायेनार्थसञज्चयान्
tathā te mṛtyu-paryanta-rahaṇe-vālī asaṅkhya-cintāyāḥ āśraya lene-vāle, viṣaya-bhogān ke bhogane meṃ tatpara rahane-vāle aura “itanā hī sukha hai” iti prakāra mānane-vāle hote haiṃ. āśā-pāśa-śatair baddhāḥ kāma-krodha-parāyaṇāḥ, īhante kāma-bhoga-artham anyāyena artha-sañcayān.
Thus, they become people who take refuge in countless anxieties that last until death, who are intent on consuming sense-pleasures, and who conclude, “This alone is happiness.” Bound by hundreds of nooses of hope, devoted to desire and anger, they strive to accumulate wealth for enjoyment—by unjust means.
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
A life driven by sense-pleasure breeds endless anxiety and bondage through hope; when desire and anger dominate, people justify unjust means to amass wealth for enjoyment—an ethical warning against adharma rooted in craving.
In the Gita’s description of demonic (āsurī) tendencies, Arjuna’s cited verse portrays how such persons remain trapped in lifelong worries, chase pleasures, and pursue wealth through injustice, contrasting with dharmic self-restraint and right conduct.