#Gita Chapter 16 (English translation)
Chapter 16
YOGA OF THE DISTINCT DIVINE AND DIABOLIC STATES
–DAIVA-ASURA SAMPAD VIBHAAGA YOGA
Sri Krishna Bhagavan speaks:
Fearlessness, purity of mind, focus on the Yoga of Knowledge, charity, self-control, selfless-effort, self-study, austerity, and uprightness ... II16.1II
… non-injury, truthfulness, absence of anger, renunciation, peacefulness, absence of back biting, compassion to creatures, absence of covetousness, gentleness, modesty, absence of fickleness … II16.2II
… energy, forgiveness, fortitude, purity, absence of hatred, absence of excessive pride–belong to those destined for the divine state, Bhaarata (Arjuna). II16.3II
Hypocrisy, arrogance, conceit, and anger, harshness, and also ignorance–belong to those destined for the diabolic state. II16.4II
The divine state is conducive to liberation; the diabolic state is meant for complete bondage. Grieve not, Pandava (Arjuna) you are endowed with the divine. II16.5II
There are two types of beings in this world–the divine and the diabolic. I have spoken elaborately of the divine. Hear about the diabolic from Me, Partha (Arjuna). II16.6II
The diabolic do not know what to do and what not to do. They do not understand purity, right conduct, or truth. II16.7II
They say: ‘This universe is without truth, without (moral) basis, without God, not based on the mutual cause-and-effect relationship of things, propelled by lust as its cause–what else?’ II16.8II
Holding this view, those ruined souls of small intellect come forth into this world as enemies to destroy with fierce deeds. II16.9II
Finding their refuge in insatiable desire, filled with hypocrisy, pride and arrogance, deluded and with evil intentions, they work with impure resolve. II16.10II
Beset with innumerable worries which end only with death, with enjoyment of desires as the highest goal, they firmly believe that this is everything. II16.11II
Bound by hundreds of ties in the form of hope, given to lust and anger, they strive to attain hordes of wealth for sensual enjoyment by unlawful means. II16.12II
(The next three verses are Sri Krishna Bhagavan citing the words of the diabolic.)
"I have gained this today, this desire I will fulfil, and this too shall be mine before long." II16.13II
"I have killed that one, and will kill others also. I am the Lord and the enjoyer. I am perfect, powerful, and happy." II16.14II
“I am rich. I am of worthy lineage. Who else is equal to me? I will perform sacrifices. I will give. I will rejoice.” Thus deluded by ignorance … II16.15II
… and bewildered by many a fancy, caught in the net of delusion, and addicted to the gratification of their desires, they fall into a foul hell. II16.16II
Conceited, stubborn, filled with pride and intoxicated with wealth, they perform sacrifices in name (only), not following the injunctions of the scriptures. II16.17II
Possessing ego, power, arrogance, passion, and anger, these malicious ones hate Me in their own and others’ bodies. II16.18II
I hurl these hateful, cruel, worst among men incessantly into diabolic wombs (in the cycle of birth and death). II16.19II
Born in diabolic wombs, birth after birth, they fall to lower paths, not reaching Me, Kaunteya (Arjuna). II16.20II
The three gates to hell are desire, anger, and greed. They destroy the soul. Therefore, abandon them. II16.21II
A man who is liberated from these three gates of darkness (desire, anger, and greed), practicing what is good for him, goes to the Supreme Goal. II16.22II
Ignoring the precepts of the scriptures, acting in the impulse of desire, he does not attain happiness or the Supreme Goal. II16.23II
Therefore, with the scriptures as authority in determining what is to be done and not done, know your duty as ordained in the scriptures, and do what you ought to do here! II16.24II
Concluding verse:
Om! Such is the Truth in the Bhagavad Gita and the Upanishads. This is the knowledge of Supreme Consciousness. It is a scripture of union; a dialogue between Sri Krishna (the teacher) and Arjuna (the student). The sixteenth discourse ends, titled “Yoga of the Distinct Divine and Diabolic States–Daiva-Asura Sampad Yoga”.