Bhagavad Gita Chapter 16
The Divine and Demoniac
Natures
DaivÄsura Sampad Yoga
Chapter summary
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TRANSCENDENTAL AND DEMONIAC
QUALITIES (16. 1-6)
THE DEMONIAC NATURE (16. 7-20)
THE CHOICE: ESCAPING TO THE
SUPREME DESTINATION (16. 21-24)
Divine qualities in
the Mode of
Goodness
Demoniac qualities
in the Modes of
Passion and
Ignorance
The Divine Qualities vs. 1-3
Sannyas
Grhastha Charity
Self-Control
Sacrifice
•Fearlessness
•Purification of ones’
existence.
•No association with women
•Avoidance of wealth
•Cultivation of knowledge
Bramacari
Vedic Study
Celibacy
Vanaprastha austerity
The Divine Qualities cont.
Brahmin: (for all asrams)
Simple- should be simple and straight forward
Non violent-- not arresting the progressive
life of any living entity.
Truthful—not distorting the truth
for personal interest
Controls anger Does not find fault
unnecessarily
Determined- not agitated or
frustrated in ones attempts
Modest & does not perform abominable acts
vs. 1-3
Divine qualities continued:
Ksatriyas- strong and able to
provide protection, not showing
anger to those who are inferior
or treat one with contempt, keeps the body
strong even when tired.
Vaishas—clean in
mind, body and
dealings.
Non violent.
Sudras—not expecting honor.
Pride, arrogance,
conceit, anger
harshness
and
ignorance—
these
qualities
belong to
those of
demoniac
nature,
O son of
Prtha 16:4
Arjuna you are born with divine qualities
They say this world is false with
no cause, like flowers in the sky!
It is not misunderstood but
actually has no existence as a
real object! Phantasmagoria!!
BG 16:8 SECTION 2
lust
…. God is dead!!!
…. and You are next!!!!
He is my enemy and I have killed him! All this is mine
and tomorrow I will have more! vs. 16: 7-13
Bound by material desires
Caught in a network of illusion
Strongly attached to sense enjoyment
The demoniac person, who has no faith
in God or the Supersoul, performs all
kinds of sinful acts but does not realize
that there is a witness sitting within his
heart. Therefore he acts in abominable
ways without considering the
consequences. purport 16:12
The Super soul and the jiva soul are like 2 birds
in a tree.
One, the jiva, is eating fruits trying to enjoy and
the other, Krsna, is a witness, waiting for us to
turn toward Him.
BG purport
16:16
Those who are envious and mischievous, who are the lowest among men. I perpetually cast into t
ocean of material existence, into various demoniac species of life. BG 16:19
Attaining repeated birth amongst the species of demoniac life, O son of Kunti, such persons can
never approach Me. Gradually they sink down to the most abominable type of existence .
BG 16:20
BG 16: 21 section 3
If, however one is able to be guided by a proper and
bona fide spiritual master, who can lead one to the
path of elevation, to the higher stage, then one’s life
becomes successful.
Following the sastras
Understanding one’s duty
Avoiding prohibited behavior
Following the rules and regulations
BG 16: 24
gradual elevation