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Chapter 16 · The Divine and Demoniac Natures · 24 verses

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How to study this verse, in six steps
  1. 1Remember who is speaking. Kṛṣṇa is speaking. Take the verse as He directs.
  2. 2Say the verse and its words. Read the Sanskrit, then each word with its meaning.
  3. 3Read the translation as it is. Let the translation say what it says, without adding your own meaning.
  4. 4Read the purport. Hear the verse through the disciplic succession.
  5. 5Bring your own question. Ask: where does this verse meet my life, my trouble, my doubt?
  6. 6Act on it, remembering Kṛṣṇa. Carry one instruction into your work today.
Read the full guide: how to read the Bhagavad-gītā ›
Character & ethicsChapter 16 · The Divine and Demoniac Natures
16.1716.19

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 16.18

Demoniac qualities and their consequences

Prakṛti · Material nature

अहङ्कारं बलं दर्पं कामं क्रोधं च संश्रिता: ।

मामात्मपरदेहेषु प्रद्विषन्तोऽभ्यसूयका: ॥ १८ ॥

ahaṅkāraṁ balaṁ darpaṁ

kāmaṁ krodhaṁ ca saṁśritāḥ

mām ātma-para-deheṣu

pradviṣanto ’bhyasūyakāḥ

Translation

Bewildered by false ego, strength, pride, lust and anger, the demons 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.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

What this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.

3 study points

Envy of the Supreme Lord

  1. 1

    Misled by false ego, strength, pride, lust and anger, demons envy the Supreme Lord within themselves and others, and speak against true religion.

  2. 2

    Prabhupāda explains that pride in wealth and strength leads them to reject God’s supremacy and scriptural authority, thinking themselves independent.

  3. 3

    Respect God’s supreme control and the scriptures, remembering that this life prepares us for the next.

Key points from the purport

Demoniac hypocritical nature and preachings are further described here — They (demons) are envious of God, saintly persons and scriptures

They are bewildered by false ego, strength, pride, lust and anger

They become envious of the Supreme personality of Godhead, who is situated in their own bodies and in the bodies of others

They blaspheme against real religion and are envious of God, saintly persons and scriptures

a

What causes envy:

Material Assets – So called prestige and accumulation of wealth and strength

Lack of knowledge – Does not know that present life is a preparation for next life

b

Result of envy:

Envious of his own self as well as of others

Commits violence on others bodies and his own self

Envious of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and blaspheme against real religion

Puts forward false arguments against the existence of God and denies the scriptural authority

Thinks himself independent and powerful in every action – One thinks that no-one can equal him in strength, power and wealth

If anyone tries to check his sensual activities, he makes plan to cut him down by his own power

Connected verses · 1

Texts 16.18 & 16.19

The next two texts describe Krishna’s reciprocation with the demoniac

Further reading

The Demoniac Nature

Krishna wants to assure Arjuna that he possesses divine and not demoniac qualities

Describes the activities, mentality and qualities of those with demoniac tendencies

Krishna repeatedly casts these mischievous demons into demoniac, abominable species

Chapter 16, section II: The Demoniac Nature
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. ahaṅkāramfalse ego
  2. balamstrength
  3. darpampride
  4. kāmamlust
  5. krodhamanger
  6. caalso
  7. saṁśritāḥhaving taken shelter of
  8. māmMe
3

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: daivī-sampat, dharma.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 16.18 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to character & ethics?

Practice

Choose one virtue to practice consciously today.

5

The story behind it

Mahābhārata episodes and stories from the purports that shed light on this verse.

All stories for chapter 16 ›
6

Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 16.6Demoniac qualities and their consequencesBG 16.7Demoniac qualities and their consequencesBG 12.13Qualities of a devotee dear to Krishna
Live this todayCultivating the Divine QualitiesA practice from BG 16.1-3, close to this verse

Study notes are editorial summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport.

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