Verses | Details |
|---|---|
The Supreme Lord said: “Fearlessness, purity of heart, steadfastness in knowledge and yoga, Charity, self-control, and performance of sacrifice, Studying the scriptures, austerity, and straightforwardness, Non-violence, truthfulness, absence of anger, Renunciation, tranquility, freedom from malice, Compassion towards all beings, absence of covetousness, Gentleness, modesty, and absence of fickleness, Vigor, forgiveness, fortitude, cleanliness, Freedom from malice, absence of haughtiness— These, O Arjuna, are the divine qualities of one born destined for a godly state.” | |
“Falsehood, arrogance, pride, anger, and harshness, Ignorance—all these are qualities of those with demoniacal tendencies, O Partha.” | |
“The divine qualities lead to liberation, while the demonic qualities bind one to the material world. Do not grieve, O Arjuna, for you are born with divine qualities.” | |
“In this world, O Arjuna, there are two types of beings - the divine and the demonic. The divine nature has been described in detail, while now listen to Me as I explain the demonic nature.” | |
“The demonic beings, O Arjuna, do not understand the principles of righteous action (pravritti) or abstaining from unrighteous action (nivritti). They are devoid of purity (shaucha), proper conduct (āchara), and truthfulness (satya).” | |
“They assert that the world is devoid of truth, without a foundation, and lacking a supreme controller. They say that it is born out of mutual interactions, and question, "What else but desire could be the cause?" | |
“Clinging to this view, those with a deluded understanding, lacking in wisdom, engage in destructive actions. They contribute to the decline and harm of the world.” | |
“Taking shelter of desires, filled with insatiable lust, pride, and arrogance, driven by delusion, those with impure resolve engage in dishonest actions.” | |
“Dwelling on endless anxieties and pursuing the ultimate sensual pleasures, they are convinced that this is the only purpose and culmination of life.” | |
“Bound by hundreds of chains of desire, devoted to lust and anger, they strive to accumulate wealth by unjust means for the sake of sensual enjoyment.” | |
“This I have gained today, and that longing I will fulfill. This wealth is mine, and that also shall be mine in future;” “That enemy I have slain, and others, too, I will slay. I am the lord of all; I enjoy; I am prosperous, mighty, and happy;” “I am rich; I am of high birth. Who else is equal to me? I will offer sacrifice, I will give, I will rejoice.” | |
“They are bewildered by numerous conflicting thoughts, entangled in the snare of delusion. Attached to sensual pleasures, they fall into impure realms.” | |
“They are filled with self-conceit, stubbornness, and pride, and they perform ostentatious sacrifices, disregarding the prescribed rituals.” | |
“They are absorbed in ego, power, arrogance, desire, and anger. They harbor envy and malice towards Me, perceiving themselves as separate from Me.” | |
“Those wicked, cruel, and lowest among men, I repeatedly throw them into the cycle of worldly existence, into demoniac species.” | |
“Obtaining a demonic birth in every cycle of birth, O Arjuna, such deluded beings, devoid of wisdom, continue to tread the lowest paths, never attaining Me.” | |
“These three gates leading to self-destructive hell are desire, anger, and greed. Therefore, one should renounce these three.” | |
“O Arjuna, the person who is liberated from these three gates of darkness (desire, anger, and greed) practices self-discipline and attains the supreme goal.” | |
“One who discards the injunctions of the scriptures and acts whimsically according to their desires does not attain success, happiness, or the supreme destination.” | |
“Therefore, the scripture is your authority in determining what should be done and what should not be done. Understanding the teachings and injunctions of the scriptures, you should perform your actions accordingly.” |