Illustration for Bhagavad Gita chapter 16 verse 6
Chapter 16 · Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga

Naming the Darker Pull · Honest Self-Knowledge

द्वौ भूतसर्गौ लोकेऽस्मिन्दैव आसुर एव च । दैवो विस्तरशः प्रोक्त आसुरं पार्थ मे शृणु ॥

dvau bhūta-sargau loke 'smin daiva āsura eva ca daivo vistaraśaḥ prokta āsuraṁ pārtha me śṛṇu

Meaning

"In this world there are two types of created beings, the divine and the demoniac. I have described the divine at length; now hear from Me, O Partha, about the demoniac."

Explanation

Krishna doesn't shy from naming darker tendencies too — real self-knowledge includes an honest look at what pulls us away from our better nature, not just what draws us toward it.

Today's Life Lesson

Be honest with yourself today about which of your tendencies pull you toward your better nature, and which don't.

More verses to reflect on