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The Yoga of the Division between the Divine and the Demonic
Chapter 16, Verses 1-24
Summary of Chapter 16
Chapter 16 of the Bhagavad Gita, titled “Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga” or “The Yoga of the Division between the Divine and the Demonic,” contrasts the qualities of the divine and the demonic natures in humans. Lord Krishna describes the divine qualities, such as fearlessness, purity of heart, and self-restraint, which lead to liberation. In contrast, he outlines the demonic qualities, like arrogance, hypocrisy, and anger, which bind the soul to material existence and lead to ruin. Krishna concludes by emphasizing the importance of adhering to scripture and moral law (Dharma) for achieving spiritual success and warns against ignoring these guiding principles.
The Contemporary Wisdom of Chapter 16
In the modern era, Chapter 16’s distinction between divine and demonic qualities offers a framework for personal development and ethical living. The emphasis on virtues like honesty, compassion, and humility is highly relevant in addressing contemporary issues such as ethical leadership, social responsibility, and personal integrity. The chapter’s warning against destructive qualities like greed and arrogance speaks to the challenges of materialism and power in today’s society. Furthermore, Krishna’s advice on following Dharma resonates with the need for moral and ethical guidelines in an increasingly complex world, highlighting the importance of balancing personal desires with societal welfare and environmental sustainability.
The Divine Qualities (Chapter 16, Verses 1-3)
Krishna begins by describing the divine qualities, including fearlessness, purity of heart, wisdom, charity, self-control, sacrifice, study of sacred texts, austerity, and straightforwardness.
The Contemporary Wisdom of Chapter 16, Verses 1-3
These virtues are timeless and universally applicable. In a modern context, they align with the ideals of integrity, compassion, personal responsibility, and the pursuit of knowledge. Emphasizing these qualities can lead to a more ethical and fulfilling life.
16.1 (Chapter 16, Verse 1): Krishna begins, “The Blessed Lord said: Fearlessness, purification of one’s existence, cultivation of spiritual knowledge, charity, self-control, performance of sacrifice, study of the Vedas, austerity, and simplicity.”
16.2 (Chapter 16, Verse 2): He continues, “Nonviolence, truthfulness, freedom from anger, renunciation, tranquility, aversion to faultfinding, compassion for all living entities, freedom from covetousness, gentleness, modesty, and steady determination.”
16.3 (Chapter 16, Verse 3): Krishna adds, “Vigor, forgiveness, fortitude, cleanliness, freedom from envy, and the passion for honor – these transcendental qualities, O son of Bharata, belong to godly men endowed with divine nature.”
The Demoniac Qualities (Chapter 16, Verses 4-20)
Krishna then describes the demoniac qualities, such as hypocrisy, arrogance, conceit, anger, harshness, and ignorance. He explains how these traits lead to bondage and degradation.
The Contemporary Wisdom of Chapter 16, Verses 4-20
This section serves as a warning against negative traits that can lead to personal and societal harm. It’s relevant today as it encourages self-reflection and the cultivation of positive traits to build a more harmonious and just society.
16.4 (Chapter 16, Verse 4): “Pride, arrogance, conceit, anger, harshness, and ignorance – these qualities belong to those of demonic nature, O son of Pritha.”
16.5 (Chapter 16, Verse 5): “The transcendental qualities are conducive to liberation, whereas the demonic qualities make for bondage. Do not worry, O son of Pandu, for you are born with the divine qualities.”
16.6 (Chapter 16, Verse 6): “O son of Pritha, in this world, there are two kinds of created beings. One is called the divine, and the other demonic. I have already explained to you at length the divine qualities. Now hear from Me of the demonic.”
16.7 (Chapter 16, Verse 7): “Those who are demonic do not know what is to be done and what is not to be done. Neither cleanliness nor proper behavior nor truth is found in them.”
16.8 (Chapter 16, Verse 8): “They say that this world is unreal, with no foundation, no God in control. They say it is produced of sex desire and has no cause other than lust.”
16.9 (Chapter 16, Verse 9): “Following such conclusions, the demonic, who are lost to themselves and who have no intelligence, engage in unbeneficial, horrible works meant to destroy the world.”
16.10 (Chapter 16, Verse 10): “Taking shelter of insatiable lust and absorbed in the conceit of pride and false prestige, the demonic, thus illusioned, are always sworn to unclean work, attracted by the impermanent.”
16.11 (Chapter 16, Verse 11): “They believe that to gratify the senses unto the end of life is the prime necessity of human civilization. Thus, there is no end to their anxiety.”
16.12 (Chapter 16, Verse 12): “Bound by a network of hundreds of thousands of desires and absorbed in lust and anger, they secure money by illegal means for sense gratification.”
16.13 (Chapter 16, Verse 13): “The demonic person thinks, ‘So much wealth do I have today, and I will gain more according to my schemes.'”
16.14 (Chapter 16, Verse 14): “‘So much is mine now, and it will increase in the future, more and more. He is my enemy, and I have killed him, and my other enemies will also be killed.'”
16.15 (Chapter 16, Verse 15): “‘I am the lord of everything. I am the enjoyer. I am perfect, powerful, and happy. I am the richest man, surrounded by aristocratic relatives. There is none so powerful and happy as I am. I shall perform sacrifices, I shall give some charity, and thus I shall rejoice.’ In this way, such persons are deluded by ignorance.”
16.16 (Chapter 16, Verse 16): “Thus perplexed by various anxieties and bound by a network of illusions, they become too strongly attached to sense enjoyment and fall down into hell.”
16.17 (Chapter 16, Verse 17): “Self-complacent and always impudent, deluded by wealth and false prestige, they sometimes perform sacrifices in name only without following any rules or regulations.”
16.18 (Chapter 16, Verse 18): “Bewildered by false ego, strength, pride, lust, and anger, the demonic become envious of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is situated in their own bodies and in the bodies of others, and blaspheme against the real religion.”
16.19 (Chapter 16, Verse 19): “Those who are envious and mischievous, who are the lowest among men, I perpetually cast into the ocean of material existence, into various demonic species of life.”
16.20 (Chapter 16, Verse 20): “Attaining repeated birth amongst the species of demonic life, O son of Kunti, such persons can never approach Me. Gradually they sink down to the most abominable type of existence.”
The Destiny of the Demoniac Nature (Chapter 16, Verses 21-24)
Krishna warns about the three gates to hell: lust, anger, and greed. He advises avoiding these to achieve the highest good and emphasizes the importance of living according to scriptural injunctions.
The Contemporary Wisdom of Chapter 16, Verses 21-24
These verses highlight the dangers of uncontrolled desires and emotions. In today’s world, managing these impulses is crucial for mental well-being and ethical living. Living a disciplined and principled life can lead to greater personal and social harmony.
16.21 (Chapter 16, Verse 21): “There are three gates leading to this hell – lust, anger, and greed. Every sane man should give these up, for they lead to the degradation of the soul.”
16.22 (Chapter 16, Verse 22): “The man who has escaped these three gates of hell, O son of Kunti, performs acts conducive to self-realization and thus gradually attains the supreme destination.”
16.23 (Chapter 16, Verse 23): “He who discards scriptural injunctions and acts according to his own whims attains neither perfection, nor happiness, nor the supreme destination.”
16.24 (Chapter 16, Verse 24): “Therefore, one should understand what is duty and what is not duty by the regulations of the scriptures. Knowing such rules and regulations, one should act so that he may gradually be elevated.”