Illustration for Bhagavad Gita chapter 16 verse 1
Chapter 16 · Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga

Starting With Fearlessness · The Root of Every Virtue

श्रीभगवानुवाच । अभयं सत्त्वसंशुद्धिर्ज्ञानयोगव्यवस्थितिः । दानं दमश्च यज्ञश्च स्वाध्यायस्तप आर्जवम् ॥

śrī-bhagavān uvāca abhayaṁ sattva-saṁśuddhir jñāna-yoga-vyavasthitiḥ dānaṁ damaś ca yajñaś ca svādhyāyas tapa ārjavam

Meaning

"The Supreme Lord said: Fearlessness, purity of heart, steadfastness in knowledge and yoga, charity, self-control, sacrifice, study of scriptures, austerity, and honesty —"

Explanation

This list of divine qualities begins, tellingly, with fearlessness — not because fear is wrong, but because a fearless, open heart makes room for everything good that follows. Courage really is the starting point for so much else.

Today's Life Lesson

Begin today with a little more fearlessness in your heart — it quietly opens the door for every other good quality to follow.

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