1 · Learn3 of 6 · 5 min
Study a Verse
Pick any verse to see what it means and how to use it in your life.
Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 16.4
दम्भो दर्पोऽभिमानश्च क्रोध: पारुष्यमेव च ।
अज्ञानं चाभिजातस्य पार्थ सम्पदमासुरीम् ॥ ४ ॥
dambho darpo ’bhimānaś ca
krodhaḥ pāruṣyam eva ca
ajñānaṁ cābhijātasya
pārtha sampadam āsurīm
Pride, arrogance, conceit, anger, harshness and ignorance – these qualities belong to those of demoniac nature, O son of Pṛthā.
Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.ioWhat this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.
3 study points
Pride, arrogance, conceit, anger, harshness and ignorance belong to those of demoniac nature.
Prabhupāda explains that they show off religion without following its principles, demand respect and reject authority. These qualities lead to hell.
Follow religious principles rather than making a show of religion, and avoid harsh speech over small matters.
Six demoniac qualities — This verse describes the “Royal road to hell”
Importance of the word “Abhijatasya”
These qualities are taken on by them from the beginning of their bodies in the wombs of their mothers
As they grow they manifest all inauspicious qualities
Demoniac qualities
Pride — Demoniac want to make a show of religion and advancement in spiritual science, but do not follow the principles
Arrogance — Proud in possessing some education or wealth and thus arrogant
Conceit — Desire to be worshipped by others (Demand respect, but do not command respect)
Anger — Over trifles they become angry
Harshness — Speak harshly
Ignorance
Not knowing what to do and what not to do
Do all whimsically according to their own desire
Do not recognize any authority
Texts 16.4 & 16.5
Krishna next removes Arjuna’s doubt about whether his own
participation in the battle as a warrior — and therefore as a killer – will be due to possessing a demoniac temperament
Krishna first describes the twenty-six divine qualities
Then He mentions the six demoniac qualities
Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.
The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.
Key ideas: daivī-sampat, dharma.
Take one thing from this verse into your day.
What does BG 16.4 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to character & ethics?
Choose one virtue to practice consciously today.
Mahābhārata episodes and stories from the purports that shed light on this verse.
Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.
Study notes are editorial summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport.