Bhagavad Gita · 16.7 · Yoga through Discerning the Divine and Demoniac Natures·7 of 24
प्रवृत्तिं च निवृत्तिं च जना न विदुरासुराः।न शौचं नापि चाचारो न सत्यं तेषु विद्यते ॥
pravṛittiṁ cha nivṛittiṁ cha janā na vidur āsurāḥ
na śhauchaṁ nāpi chāchāro na satyaṁ teṣhu vidyate
Sanskrit recitation
When ego turns cruel · 16.6–16.16 · Teaching
Translation
The demoniacal do not know what to do and what to refrain from; they have neither purity, nor right conduct, nor truth.
Meaning
The demoniacal do not understand the nature of action and inaction (right abstinence). The idea of a Self apart from the body, doing nothing (actionless) but imply watching the play of the Gunas is something incomprehensible to them. They have no consideration for the interest of others. They work for the sake of their bodies or sensual enjoyment. They are greedy, selfish and cruel. Therefore, they have neither good conduct nor good behaviour. They are untruthful, unjust and impure. They do not know what actions they should do in order to attain the goal of life or end of human existence, nor from what actions they should refrain to ward off,evil.Those who are endowed with demoniacal alities are sunk in the mire of ignorance. They are totally ignorant of what is prescribed or what is prohibited action. They have not the least idea of what purity or cleanliness is. Their actions are crooked. They know neither right Pravritti nor right Nivritti. They have no idea of virtue or vice or of scriptural injunctions or prohibitions. They will never speak loving words. They are hypocrites and liars.
After Swami Sivananda
When ego turns cruel· 16.6–16.16→
Teachers usually read this idea across several verses together, one shared reflection covers the whole unit.
- 16.6There are two types of beings in this world: the divine and the demoniacal. The divine has been described at length; hear from Me, O Arjuna, about the demoniacal.
16.7The demoniacal do not know what to do and what to refrain from; they have neither purity, nor right conduct, nor truth.
- 16.8They say, "This universe is without truth, without a moral basis, without a God, brought about by mutual union, with lust as its cause; what else?"
- 16.9Holding this view, these ruined souls of small intellect and fierce deeds come forth as enemies of the world, intent on its destruction.
- 16.10Filled with insatiable desires, full of hypocrisy, pride, and arrogance, holding evil ideas due to delusion, they work with impure intentions.
- 16.11Giving themselves over to immeasurable cares that end only with death, regarding the gratification of lust as their highest aim, and feeling sure that that is all.
- 16.12Bound by a hundred ties of hope, given over to lust and anger, they strive to obtain hoards of wealth by unlawful means for sensual enjoyment.
- 16.13"I have gained this today; I will fulfill this desire of mine; this is mine, and this wealth will be mine in the future."
- 16.14"I have slain that enemy, and I shall slay others too. I am the Lord; I enjoy, I am perfect, powerful, and happy."
- 16.15"I am wealthy and born into a noble family. Who is my equal? I shall perform sacrifices, give charity, and rejoice," thus deluded by ignorance.
- 16.16Bewildered by many fancies, entangled in the snare of delusion, addicted to the gratification of lust, they fall into a foul hell.
Word-by-word→
- na
- nor
- api
- even
- cha
- and
- satyam
- truthfulness
- teṣhu
- in them
- viduḥ
- comprehend
- vidyate
- exist
- janāḥ
- persons
- śhaucham
- purity
- āsurāḥ
- those possessing demoniac nature
- nivṛittim
- improper actions
- āchāraḥ
- conduct
- pravṛittim
- proper actions
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