|
XVI - Divine and the Demonic Qualities
Lord Krishna said: Fearlessness, purity of inner psyche, perseverance in devotion of Self-knowledge, charity, sense restraint, sacrifice,
study of scriptures, austerity, honesty, nonviolence, truthfulness, absence of anger, renunciation, equanimity, abstaining from malicious
talk, compassion for all creatures, freedom from greed, gentleness, modesty, absence of fickleness, splendor, forgiveness, fortitude,
cleanliness, absence of malice, and absence of pride are some of the qualities of those endowed with divine virtues, O Arjuna. (16.01-03)
Basically, there are only two types of human beings in this world, the divine, and the demonic. (16.06) People of demonic nature do not
know what to do and what not to do. They neither have purity nor good conduct nor truthfulness. (16.07) They think the world is unreal,
without a moral structure, without a God, and without an order. (16.08) Adhering to this wrong atheist view, these degraded souls ---
with small intellect and cruel deeds --- are born as enemies for the destruction of the world. (16.09) Filled with insatiable desire,
hypocrisy, pride, and arrogance; holding wrong views due to delusion; they act with impure motives. (16.10) Obsessed with endless anxiety
lasting until death, considering sense gratification their highest goal, convinced that sensual pleasure is everything. (16.11) Bound by
hundreds of ties of desire and enslaved by lust and anger; they strive to obtain wealth for the fulfillment of sensual pleasures.
They think: ‘I have gained this today, I shall fulfill this desire; I have this much wealth, and will have more wealth in the future.
(16.13) That enemy has been slain by me, and I shall slay others also. I am the Lord. I am the enjoyer. I am successful, powerful, and
happy. (16.14) I am rich and born in a noble family. No one is equal to me. I shall perform sacrifice, I shall give charity, and I shall
rejoice.’ Thus deluded by ignorance, bewildered by many fancies, entangled in the net of delusion, and addicted to the enjoyment of
sensual pleasure, they fall into foul hell. (16.16) Self-conceited, stubborn, filled with pride and intoxication of wealth; they perform
religious services only in name, for show, and not according to scriptural injunction. (16.17)
These malicious people cling to egoism, power, arrogance, lust, and anger; and hate Me who dwells in their own bodies and those of
others. (16.18) I hurl these haters, cruel, sinful, and mean people into cycles of rebirth in the wombs of demons again and again.
(16.19) O Arjuna, entering the wombs of demons birth after birth, the deluded ones sink to the lowest hell without ever attaining Me
(until their minds change for the better, by the causeless mercy of the Lord). (16.20)
Lust, anger, and greed are the three gates of hell leading to the downfall (or bondage) of an individual. Therefore, one must learn to give these up. (16.21) Speaking ill of others is a terrible sin, because, it pollutes the mind of the speaker without any beneficial effect. Perform your duty following scriptural injunction. (16.24).
Abbreviated By Harry Bhalla.
The numbers in parentheses are the chapter numbers and verse numbers respectively, of the Bhagavad-Gita. If any of this interests you, please visit: www.gita-society.com OR www.gita4free.com
 Hingedmind
provides the following information on The Bhagavad Gita as a starting point for better understanding. We encourage
you to explore the links section and the various pages on The Bhagavad Gita . Also, take the time to search on the
web for specifics concerning your search.
Hingedmind does not promote or endorse a religion, belief system, or practice. Hingedmind believes no
path is a wrong path. Each individual is accountable for his or her path and decisions. Hingedmind
provides this information only as a reference and is not responsible for content authenticity or accuracy.
|
