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Chapter 16: Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga

Gita GPS: Chapter 16, Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga, makes character practical by contrasting divine qualities with habits that pull the mind downward.

  • Shlokas 1-5: Krishna describes divine and demoniac qualities and their results.
  • Shlokas 6-20: Krishna shows the mindset, behavior, and downfall of those ruled by demoniac tendencies.
  • Shlokas 21-24: Krishna teaches Arjuna to reject destructive conduct and use scripture as a guide.
V1| V2| V3| V4| V5

Shlokas 1-5

The Divine and the demoniacal properties described with their fruit.

Reflective Prompt:Which quality feels most essential for living a peaceful, righteous life in a challenging society?

  • ▪Option 1:Fearlessness, purity of mind, simplicity, and truthfulness (Divine qualities).
  • ▪Option 2:Ambition, pride, power, and strict control of others (Demoniac qualities).

Verse 01

श्रीभगवानुवाच

। अभयं सत्त्वसंशुद्धिर्ज्ञानयोगव्यवस्थितिः | | दानं दमश्च यज्ञश्च स्वाध्यायस्तप आर्जवम् | | १६-१ | |

śhrī bhagavān uvācha abhayaṁ sattvasaṁśhuddhirjñānayogavyavasthitiḥ dānaṁ damaśhcha yajñaśhcha svādhyāyastapa ārjavam

Word-by-word guide:
Line 1:
  • श्री(Sri) — श्री(the Blessed Lord said)
  • भगवान्(Bhagavan) — भगवान(the Blessed Lord said)
  • उवाच(uvacha) — बोले(the Blessed Lord said)
  • अभयम्(abhayam) — निर्भयता(fearlessness)
  • सत्त्वसंशुद्धिः(sattva-sanshuddhih) — मन की शुद्धि(purity of mind/heart)
  • ज्ञानयोगव्यवस्थितिः(jnana-yoga-vyavasthitih) — ज्ञान योग में स्थिरता(steadfastness in the path of knowledge and meditation)
Line 2:
  • दानम्(danam) — दान(charity/giving)
  • दमः(damah) — इंद्रिय संयम(control of the senses)
  • च(cha) — और(and)
  • यज्ञः(yajnash) — यज्ञ(performance of sacrifice/worship)
  • च(cha) — और(and)
  • स्वाध्यायः(svadhyayash) — स्वाध्याय(study of sacred scriptures)
  • तपः(tapah) — तप(austerity/discipline)
  • आर्जवम्(arjavam) — सरलता(simplicity/candor)

English:Lord Shri Krishna continued: Fearlessness, clean living, unceasing concentration on wisdom, readiness to give, self-control, a spirit of worship, regular study of the scriptures, disciplines, candour,

Note:

Krishna lists the prime divine qualities: fearlessness, purity of heart, steadfastness in Gyan and Yoga, charity, self-control, performance of Yajna, study of scriptures, austerity, and simplicity.

Learnings from Shloka 1:
  • Divine Qualities:: Virtues like fearlessness and mental purity are natural traits of a spiritually advanced soul.
  • Sacred Actions:: Yajna (sacrifice), study, and self-control focus the mind's energy toward higher consciousness.

Verse 02

अहिंसा सत्यमक्रोधस्त्यागः शान्तिरपैशुनम् । | दया भूतेष्वलोलुप्त्वं मार्दवं ह्रीरचापलम् | | १६-२ | |

ahiṁsā satyamakrodhastyāgaḥ śhāntirapaiśhunam dayā bhūteṣhvaloluptvaṁ mārdavaṁ hrīrachāpalam

Word-by-word guide:
Line 1:
  • अहिंसा(ahimsa) — अहिंसा(non-violence/harmlessness)
  • सत्यम्(satyam) — सत्य(truthfulness)
  • अक्रोधः(akrodhah) — क्रोध का अभाव(freedom from anger)
  • त्यागः(tyagah) — त्याग(renunciation/letting go)
  • शान्तिः(shantih) — शांति(peace/tranquility)
  • अपैशुनम्(apaishunam) — दोषारोपण से बचना(aversion to fault-finding/not gossiping)
Line 2:
  • दया(daya) — दया(compassion)
  • भूतेषु(bhuteshu) — प्राणियों के प्रति(toward all living beings)
  • अलोलुप्त्वम्(aloluptvam) — लोभ का अभाव(freedom from greed)
  • मार्दवम्(mardavam) — कोमलता(gentleness/courtesy)
  • ह्रीः(hrih) — लज्जा(modesty)
  • अचापलम्(acapalam) — चंचलता का अभाव(determination/freedom from wavering)

English:harmlessness, truth, absence of anger, letting go, contentment, straightforwardness, compassion towards all, uncovetousness, courtesy, modesty, constancy,

Note:

He continues the list with non-violence, truthfulness, absence of anger, renunciation (letting go), peace, compassion, lack of greed, gentleness, modesty, and steady determination.

Learnings from Shloka 2:
  • Harmlessness and Truth:: Harmlessness (ahimsa) and truth (satyam) are the pillars of a spiritual lifestyle.
  • Inner Peace:: Remaining free from anger and gossip preserves mental energy and maintains tranquility.

Reflective Prompt:How do you view qualities like hypocrisy, pride, anger, and arrogance when you observe them in yourself or others?

  • ▪Option 1:As natural and necessary qualities to survive and win in a competitive world.
  • ▪Option 2:As negative obstacles (demoniac tendencies) that create division, anger, and mental bondage.

Verse 03

तेजः क्षमा धृतिः शौचमद्रोहो नातिमानिता । | भवन्ति सम्पदं दैवीमभिजातस्य भारत | | १६-३ | |

tejaḥ kṣhamā dhṛitiḥ śhauchamadroho nātimānitā bhavanti sampadaṁ daivīmabhijātasya bhārata

Word-by-word guide:
Line 1:
  • तेजः(tejah) — तेज(vigor/valour)
  • क्षमा(kshama) — क्षमा(forgiveness)
  • धृतिः(dhritih) — धैर्य(fortitude/inner strength)
  • शौचम्(shaucham) — शुद्धता(cleanliness/purity)
  • अद्रोहः(adroho) — द्वेष का अभाव(freedom from malice/hate)
  • न(na) — अभिमान का अभाव(freedom from pride/vanity)
  • अतिमानिता(atimanita) — अभिमान का अभाव(freedom from pride/vanity)
Line 2:
  • भवन्ति(bhavanti) — होते हैं(are/belong)
  • सम्पदम्(sampadam) — संपदा(qualities)
  • दैवीम्(daivim) — दैवी(divine/godly)
  • अभिजातस्य(abhijatasya) — जन्मे हुए का(of one born with)
  • भारत(Bharata) — हे भारत(Arjuna)

English:Valour, forgiveness, inner strength, purity, freedom from hate and vanity; these are his who possesses the Godly qualities, Arjuna,

Note:

Krishna completes the divine traits with vigor, forgiveness, fortitude, cleanliness, and absence of malice or vanity. These belong to one born with godly traits.

Learnings from Shloka 3:
  • Forgiveness and Fortitude:: The capacity to forgive and maintain inner strength (dhriti) in adversity is a sign of high character.
  • Absence of Vanity:: Real strength is humble; it does not seek constant praise or social validation.

Verse 04

दम्भो दर्पोऽभिमानश्च क्रोधः पारुष्यमेव च । | अज्ञानं चाभिजातस्य पार्थ सम्पदमासुरीम् | | १६-४ | |

dambho darpo’bhimānaśhcha krodhaḥ pāruṣhyameva cha ajñānaṁ chābhijātasya pārtha sampadamāsurīm

Word-by-word guide:
Line 1:
  • दम्भः(dambhah) — पाखंड(hypocrisy/pretension)
  • दर्पः(darpah) — घमंड(arrogance/pride)
  • अभिमानः(abhimanah) — अभिमान(self-conceit/insolence)
  • च(cha) — और(and)
  • क्रोधः(krodhah) — क्रोध(anger)
  • पारुष्यम्(parushyam) — कठोरता(cruelty/harshness)
  • एव(eva) — ही(indeed)
Line 2:
  • च(cha) — और(and)
  • अज्ञनम्(ajnanam) — न ही(ignorance/lack of understanding)
  • च(cha) — और(and)
  • अभिजातस्य(abhijatasya) — जन्मे हुए का(of one born with)
  • पार्थ(Partha) — हे पार्थ अर्जुन(Arjuna)
  • सम्पदम्(sampadam) — संपदा(qualities)
  • आसुरीम्(asurim) — आसुरी(demoniac/godless)

English:Hypocrisy, pride, insolence, cruelty, lack of understanding belong to him who is born of the godless qualities.

Note:

Krishna contrasts these with demoniac qualities: hypocrisy, pride, arrogance, conceit, anger, and harshness. These qualities bind the soul to ignorance.

Learnings from Shloka 4:
  • Demoniac Qualities:: Hypocrisy and pride create a false self-image that blocks spiritual growth.
  • Anger and Harshness:: Harsh behavior and irritation are indicators of egoism and lack of self-control.

Verse 05

दैवी सम्पद्विमोक्षाय निबन्धायासुरी मता । | मा शुचः सम्पदं दैवीमभिजातोऽसि पाण्डव | | १६-५ | |

daivī sampadvimokṣhāya nibandhāyāsurī matā mā śhuchaḥ sampadaṁ daivīmabhijāto’si pāṇḍava

Word-by-word guide:
Line 1:
  • दैवी(daivi) — दैवी(divine)
  • सम्पद्(sampad) — संपदा(qualities)
  • विमोक्षाय(vimokshaya) — मुक्ति के लिए(for liberation)
  • निबन्धाय(nibandhaya) — बंधन के लिए(for bondage/trap)
  • आसुरी(asuri) — आसुरी(demoniac)
  • मता(mata) — मानी गई(is considered)
Line 2:
  • म(ma) — करो नहीं हो व्याकुल(do not)
  • शुचः(shuchah) — शोक करो(worry/grieve)
  • सम्पदम्(sampadam) — संपदा(qualities)
  • दैवीम्(daivim) — दैवी(divine)
  • अभिजातः(abhijatah) — जन्मे हुए(you are born with)
  • असि(asi) — तुम जन्मे हो(you are born with)
  • पन्दव(Pandava) — अर्जुन(Arjuna)

English:Godly qualities lead to freedom, while harmful qualities trap a person. Do not worry, Arjuna; you were born with godly qualities.

Note:

The divine qualities lead to liberation, while the demoniac qualities lead to bondage. Krishna reassures Arjuna that he is born with divine qualities.

### Shlokas 6-20 **Marks of those possessed of demoniacal properties and their downfall described.**

Learnings from Shloka 5:
  • Divine Qualities:: Fearlessness, clean living, charity, self-control, simplicity, harmlessness, truth, and forgiveness are godly qualities that lead to inner freedom and liberation.
  • Demoniac Qualities:: Hypocrisy, pride, cruelty, and ignorance are qualities that trap the soul in worldly suffering.
  • Arjuna's Nature:: Krishna reassures Arjuna that he is born with divine qualities, so he does not need to worry about being caught in the dark habits.