16.15 - Bhagavad Gita - Chapter 16, Verse 15

In Bhagavad Gita verse 16.15, Sri Krishna offers a fascinating glimpse into the inner dialogue of those shaped by the asuric, or demoniac, mindset. This verse captures the voice of unchecked pride and ego—where a person, having accumulated wealth or social stature, stands convinced of their own supremacy. The verse, delivered in the first person, is not just about external possessions but about a worldview anchored in self-glorification and an inflated sense of individual accomplishment. The thoughts that arise—“I am wealthy, I am of noble birth, who is equal to me?”—reflect an identity built on possessions, lineage, and a desperate need to feel unique and unmatched in their sphere of influence.

This internal narrative is not simply a fleeting thought; it is a persistent attitude that threads through the entire fabric of the person's consciousness. Everything, from their family to their material success, is seen as an extension of their greatness. The Sanskrit phrase “āḍhyo'bhijanavān asmi ko'anyo'sti sadṛśo mayā”—“I am wealthy and of noble birth. Who is equal to me?”—vividly illustrates this attitude. There is no humility or acknowledgment of factors beyond their control, such as fate, effort of others, or divine grace. Their sense of self is cemented in the belief that their uniqueness is self-made and unassailable.

This sense of superiority does not remain internal. It inevitably spills into action and intention, shaping how these individuals interact with society and the world at large. Their declaration, “I will perform sacrifices, I will give charity, and I will rejoice,” tends to be less about genuine religious sentiment or altruism, and more about reinforcing their position and feeding the ego. Even acts outwardly associated with virtue—like charity and ritual—are performed as trophies of achievement and as proof of their claimed perfection.

At the heart of this verse lies a deep irony. While the individual projects an image of power, wealth, and joy, Krishna describes them as “ajñāna-vimohitāḥ”—deluded by ignorance. The mind, thoroughly convinced of its own narrative, is actually ensnared in a web of delusion. What appears as confidence from the outside is, in truth, driven by a profound disconnect from reality—a reality where no one is truly self-sufficient, and every gift is, to some degree, a result of forces beyond one's awareness or control.

The verse cleverly exposes how this mindset becomes a never-ending loop. The declaration “I will rejoice” is portrayed as a future outcome contingent on yet another achievement or another round of performative virtue. Happiness, then, is never enjoyed in the present but always postponed, always just out of reach, always waiting upon the next conquest, ritual, or recognition. It’s a mirage, perpetually leading the mind to chase more, even after acquiring abundance.

Krishna’s piercing observation is that such a worldview leaves no room for vulnerability, gratitude, or humility. By proclaiming, “Who is equal to me?” the individual distances themselves from others, fostering an attitude not of kinship, but of hierarchy and separation. The imagined self-mastery and joy are, therefore, built upon an underlying anxiety—a fear that, should their status slip or someone challenge their standing, their entire constructed identity would collapse.

Even the outward trappings of success—family, followers, rituals, and generosity—lose their sanctity when driven by this kind of motivation. What could have been sources of genuine connection, love, or spiritual solace become means of self-advertisement. Relationships are measured by how much they enhance pride, and deeds by how much they embellish reputation. In the end, the verse paints a vivid psychological portrait: a life that appears full, yet is hollow at the core, constantly pursuing fulfillment but always missing it by a hair’s breadth.

By channeling the voice of the ego in such explicit terms, the Gita invites the reader to recognize how subtle and pervasive this pattern can be—not just in dramatic displays, but in the everyday tendency to seek validation or claim full authorship for successes. This inner monologue, while extreme in the verse, reflects a universal vulnerability: the temptation to identify with achievements and possessions, forgetting the greater web of life and grace that underpins every human story.