Bhagavad Gita · chapter 16

Verse 1 - 3

Krishna continued: Courage, clean living, devotion to wisdom, generosity, self-control, a spirit of sacrifice, study of the scriptures, austerity, and straightforwardness,

nonviolence, truthfulness, absence of anger, renunciation, self-control, abstinence from slandering of others, compassion for all beings, freedom from jealousy, gentleness, modesty, and freedom from restlessness,

valor, forgiveness, fortitude, purity, freedom from hatred and vanity - these are the qualities of one who possesses divine nature.

Commentary

Verse 4

Hypocrisy, arrogance, self-conceit, anger, cruelty, and ignorance, all belong to those of demonic nature.

Commentary

Verse 5

The divine qualities lead to liberation, while the demonic qualities lead to bondage. Do not grieve, Arjuna, for you are endowed with great divine wealth.

Commentary

Verse 6

The are two types of beings in this world - those who are divine, and those who are demonic. I have described the nature of divinity to you at length; now, hear of the demonic.

Commentary

Verse 7

Those who are demonic do not know how to act or to renounce. They lack purity, truth, and an understanding of righteous conduct.

Commentary

Verse 8

They say the universe is without truth, without any purpose, and without a God. It exists for the purpose of fulfilling desires - what other cause could there be?

Commentary

Verse 9

These lost souls of small intellect come into the world only to commit monstrous deeds and to destroy.

Commentary

Verse 10

Filled with insatiable desires, possessed by vanity, pride, and arrogance, they only work with impure intentions.

Commentary

Verse 11 - 12

Trapped in a cycle of anxiety that ends only with death, clinging to the enjoyment of desires as their highest goal, believing that this is all that exists,

bound by the shackles of a hundred vain hopes, devoted to their desire and anger, they hoard wealth for the gratification of their desires.

Commentary

Verse 13

"Today I have gained this, and tomorrow I will fulfill another desire. This is mine now, and the rest will all be mine soon."

Commentary

Verse 14

"I have slain this enemy, and I shall slay others too. I am the almighty enjoyer, the one who is perfect, powerful, and happy."

Commentary

Verse 15

"I am wealthy and of noble birth. Who else is equal to me? I will sacrifice, I will give charity, and I shall rejoice!" Such is their delusion.

Commentary

Verse 16

Bewildered by their thoughts, ensnared in the net of delusion, addicted to sensual pleasures, they are condemned to a dark hell.

Commentary

Verse 17

Self-conceited, stubborn, intoxicated by wealth and pride, they perform sacrifice in name only, without regard to what is ordained in the scriptures.

Commentary

Verse 18

Clinging to egotism, power, arrogance, pride, and desire, these envious people grow to resent me, both in themselves and in the bodies of others.

Commentary

Verse 19

Those who are the most hateful, cruel, and inauspicious of mankind, I hurl incessantly into the cycle of birth and death.

Commentary

Verse 20

Having been born among demons in birth after birth, these deluded souls only sink toward the lowest state.

Commentary

Verse 21

There are three gates to hell that one should avoid - passion, anger, and greed.

Commentary

Verse 22

One who has been liberated from these three gates of darkness works for the benefit of the self, thereby attaining that highest goal.

Commentary

Verse 23

One who neglects the command of the scriptures and acts under the impulse of desire does not attain perfection, happiness, nor the highest goal.

Commentary

Verse 24

Therefore, whenever there is doubt on what should be done, let the scriptures guide you.

Commentary

Summary

BG 16.1 - 24

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