Bhagavad Gita 5.15 — Ignorance Is the Cause of Bondage
नादत्ते कस्यचित्पापं न चैव सुकृतं विभुः ।
अज्ञानेनावृतं ज्ञानं तेन मुह्यन्ति जन्तवः ॥ ५.१५ ॥
The all-pervading Lord neither accepts anyone's sin nor virtue. Knowledge is covered by ignorance, and because of that ignorance, living beings become deluded.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| na | does not |
| ādatte | accept |
| kasyacit | anyone's |
| pāpam | sin |
| na | nor |
| ca | and not |
| eva | indeed |
| sukṛtam | pious deeds or merit |
| vibhuḥ | the all-pervading Supreme |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| ajñānena | by ignorance |
| āvṛtam | covered |
| jñānam | knowledge |
| tena | therefore |
| muhyanti | become deluded |
| jantavaḥ | living beings |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| na | does not | ajñānena | by ignorance |
| ādatte | accept | āvṛtam | covered |
| kasyacit | anyone's | jñānam | knowledge |
| pāpam | sin | tena | therefore |
| na | nor | muhyanti | become deluded |
| ca | and not | jantavaḥ | living beings |
| eva | indeed | ||
| sukṛtam | pious deeds or merit | ||
| vibhuḥ | the all-pervading Supreme | ||
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
In this verse, Lord Krishna reveals a profound truth. He explains that the Supreme neither accepts anyone's sins nor claims anyone's virtues. The real cause of human confusion is ignorance.
Essence
The mystery of sin, virtue, and ignorance
Here, Lord Krishna corrects a deeply rooted misunderstanding. Many people believe that God personally keeps account of every good and bad deed and then rewards or punishes individuals accordingly. This verse presents a much deeper perspective.
Nādatte kasyacit pāpaṁ na caiva sukṛtaṁ vibhuḥ: The Supreme is all-pervading and completely impartial. He neither takes upon Himself anyone's sins nor is He specially pleased by anyone's virtuous deeds. He remains free from favouritism and prejudice.
Ajñānenāvṛtaṁ jñānam: The knowledge of Truth already exists within every being, but it is concealed by ignorance. Just as clouds hide the sun without affecting it, ignorance veils our true nature without destroying it.
Tena muhyanti jantavaḥ: Because of this ignorance, people identify themselves with the body, become entangled in ego and desires, and remain caught in the cycle of pleasure and pain. The source of delusion is not God, but forgetting one's true Self.
Message for our lives
This verse invites us to move beyond a fear-based understanding of spirituality toward one founded on wisdom and self-awareness.
The real source of our problems: Most of life's suffering does not arise from external circumstances but from ignorance of reality. When we fail to see things as they truly are, we make poor decisions and create unnecessary suffering.
The importance of knowledge: Lasting transformation begins when the veil of ignorance is removed and we awaken to our true nature. Spiritual wisdom is not about pleasing God through fear—it is about discovering the Truth that has always existed within us.
Next Topic
Lord Krishna has identified ignorance as the root cause of human delusion. In the next verse, He explains how true knowledge shines like the sun, dispelling the darkness of ignorance and illuminating the Supreme Reality.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
Truth is often hidden, not absent.
Confusion survives where understanding is covered.
Removing ignorance is more important than collecting information.
The greatest obstacle is not lack of ability but lack of clarity.
The Self remains untouched while ignorance clouds perception.
When knowledge shines, delusion loses its power.
Most mistakes begin with mistaken identity.