16. Divine and Demonic Natures

Daivāsura Sampad Vibhāg Yog

BG 16.11

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, ...

चिन्तामपरिमेयां च प्रलयान्तामुपाश्रिताः
कामोपभोगपरमा एतावदिति निश्िचताः

  • chintām — anxieties

  • aparimeyāṁ — endless

  • cha — and

  • pralayāntām — until death
    pralaya-antām

  • upāśhritāḥ — taking refuge

  • kāmopabhoga-paramā — gratification of desires as the purpose of life
    kāma-upabhoga—gratification of desires; paramāḥ—the purpose of life

    • kāmopabhoga

    • paramā

  • etāvad — still

  • iti — thus

  • niśhchitāḥ — with complete assurance

...16.5

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.

[6]

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

[7]

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?

[8]

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

[9]

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

[10]

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,

[11]

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

[12]

16.13...
Chapter 16, Verse 11