Chapter 16: Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga
The Divine and Demoniac Natures
Krishna contrasts two kinds of nature. The divine — fearlessness, purity, self-restraint, non-violence, truth, absence of anger, compassion, gentleness, modesty. And the demoniac — hypocrisy, arrogance, conceit, harshness, ignorance — with its endless calculation of gain and enemies. He names three gates to self-destruction: lust, anger and greed, and counsels abandoning all three. Scripture, he says, is the authority for deciding what should and should not be done.
All 24 verses of Chapter 16
Verse 16.1
श्रीभगवानुवाच । अभयं सत्त्वसंशुद्धिर्ज्ञानयोगव्यवस्थितिः । दानं दमश्च यज्ञश्च स्वाध्यायस्तप आर्जवम् ॥
śrī-bhagavān uvāca abhayaṁ sattva-saṁśuddhir jñāna-yoga-vyavasthitiḥ dānaṁ damaś ca yajñaś ca svādhyāyas tapa ārjavam
The Supreme Lord said: Fearlessness, purity of heart, steadfastness in knowledge and yoga, charity, self-control, sacrifice, study of scriptures, austerity, and honesty —
Life lesson: Begin today with a little more fearlessness in your heart — it quietly opens the door for every other good quality to follow.
Read verse 16.1 in full →Verse 16.2
अहिंसा सत्यमक्रोधस्त्यागः शान्तिरपैशुनम् । दया भूतेष्वलोलुप्त्वं मार्दवं ह्रीरचापलम् ॥
ahiṁsā satyam akrodhas tyāgaḥ śāntir apaiśunam dayā bhūteṣv aloluptvaṁ mārdavaṁ hrīr acāpalam
Non-violence, truthfulness, absence of anger, renunciation, peace, freedom from fault-finding, compassion for beings, non-greed, gentleness, modesty, and steadiness.
Life lesson: Practice one small, quiet virtue today — a moment of patience or honesty — rather than waiting for a chance to do something big.
Read verse 16.2 in full →Verse 16.3
तेजः क्षमा धृतिः शौचमद्रोहोनातिमानिता । भवन्ति सम्पदं दैवीमभिजातस्य भारत ॥
tejaḥ kṣamā dhṛtiḥ śaucam adroho nāti-mānitā bhavanti sampadaṁ daivīm abhijātasya bhārata
Vigor, forgiveness, fortitude, purity, absence of malice, and freedom from excessive pride — these belong to one born with a divine nature, O Bharata.
Life lesson: Today, try holding both firmness and forgiveness together in how you respond — they aren't opposites, they work as a team.
Read verse 16.3 in full →Verse 16.4
दम्भो दर्पोऽभिमानश्च क्रोधः पारुष्यमेव च । अज्ञानं चाभिजातस्य पार्थ सम्पदमासुरीम् ॥
dambho darpo 'bhimānaś ca krodhaḥ pāruṣyam eva ca ajñānaṁ cābhijātasya pārtha sampadam āsurīm
Hypocrisy, arrogance, conceit, anger, harshness, and ignorance — these belong to one born with a demoniac nature, O Partha.
Life lesson: If you notice arrogance or harshness rising in you today, gently name it — honest recognition is the first step to softening it.
Read verse 16.4 in full →Verse 16.5
दैवी सम्पद्विमोक्षाय निबन्धायासुरी मता । मा शुचः सम्पदं दैवीमभिजातोऽसि पाण्डव ॥
daivī sampad vimokṣāya nibandhāyāsurī matā mā śucaḥ sampadaṁ daivīm abhijāto 'si pāṇḍava
Divine qualities are considered to lead to liberation, and demoniac qualities to bondage; do not grieve, O Pandava, for you are born with a divine nature.
Life lesson: When you doubt your own goodness today, remember you're already leaning in the right direction — trust that instead of grieving over flaws.
Read verse 16.5 in full →Verse 16.6
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
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.
Life lesson: Be honest with yourself today about which of your tendencies pull you toward your better nature, and which don't.
Read verse 16.6 in full →Verse 16.7
प्रवृत्तिं च निवृत्तिं च जना न विदुरासुराः । न शौचं नापि चाचारो न सत्यं तेषु विद्यते ॥
pravṛttiṁ ca nivṛttiṁ ca janā na vidur āsurāḥ na śaucaṁ nāpi cācāro na satyaṁ teṣu vidyate
Those of demoniac nature do not know what action is and what inaction is; neither purity, nor good conduct, nor truth is found in them.
Life lesson: Hold onto one or two simple values today that you won't compromise on, no matter how small the temptation.
Read verse 16.7 in full →Verse 16.8
असत्यमप्रतिष्ठं ते जगदाहुरनीश्वरम् । अपरस्परसम्भूतं किमन्यत्कामहैतुकम् ॥
asatyam apratiṣṭhaṁ te jagad āhur anīśvaram aparaspara-sambhūtaṁ kim anyat kāma-haitukam
They say the world is without truth, without foundation, without a controlling God, born only of mutual union, and driven by nothing but desire.
Life lesson: When cynicism tempts you today, choose to believe in a deeper order anyway — it keeps your heart soft, not naive.
Read verse 16.8 in full →Verse 16.9
एतां दृष्टिमवष्टभ्य नष्टात्मानोऽल्पबुद्धयः । प्रभवन्त्युग्रकर्माणः क्षयाय जगतोऽहिताः ॥
etāṁ dṛṣṭim avaṣṭabhya naṣṭātmāno 'lpa-buddhayaḥ prabhavanty ugra-karmāṇaḥ kṣayāya jagato 'hitāḥ
Holding on to this view, these lost souls of little intelligence, engaged in cruel deeds, arise as enemies of the world, bent on its destruction.
Life lesson: If you notice a distorted belief taking root in you today, gently question it before it grows into something harmful.
Read verse 16.9 in full →Verse 16.10
काममाश्रित्य दुष्पूरं दम्भमानमदान्विताः । मोहाद्गृहीत्वासद्ग्राहान्प्रवर्तन्तेऽशुचिव्रताः ॥
kāmam āśritya duṣpūraṁ dambha-māna-madānvitāḥ mohād gṛhītvāsad-grāhān pravartante 'śuci-vratāḥ
Clinging to insatiable desire, filled with hypocrisy, pride, and arrogance, holding false views out of delusion, they act with impure resolve.
Life lesson: It's fine to want things today — just check whether that wanting is grounded or has become an endless chase.
Read verse 16.10 in full →Verse 16.11
चिन्तामपरिमेयां च प्रलयान्तामुपाश्रिताः । कामोपभोगपरमा एतावदिति निश्चिताः ॥
cintām aparimeyāṁ ca pralayāntām upāśritāḥ kāmopabhoga-paramā etāvad iti niścitāḥ
Beset by immeasurable anxiety that ends only in death, regarding the gratification of desires as the highest goal, convinced that this is all there is—
Life lesson: Notice today if a goal you're chasing is actually bringing peace, or just more anxiety about the next thing.
Read verse 16.11 in full →Verse 16.12
आशापाशशतैर्बद्धाः कामक्रोधपरायणाः । ईहन्ते कामभोगार्थमन्यायेनार्थसञ्जयान् ॥
āśā-pāśa-śatair baddhāḥ kāma-krodha-parāyaṇāḥ īhante kāma-bhogārtham anyāyenārtha-sañjayān
Bound by hundreds of ties of hope, given over to desire and anger, they strive to amass wealth by unjust means for the sake of sense gratification.
Life lesson: Check today if any small want has quietly multiplied into something that's now driving unhelpful choices.
Read verse 16.12 in full →Verse 16.13
इदमद्य मया लब्धमिमं प्राप्स्ये मनोरथम् । इदमस्तीदमपि मे भविष्यति पुनर्धनम् ॥
idam adya mayā labdham imaṁ prāpsye manoratham idam astīdam api me bhaviṣyati punar dhanam
This I have gained today, and this desire I shall fulfill; this wealth is mine, and this too shall be mine hereafter.
Life lesson: If you catch yourself thinking "this too must be mine" today, pause and notice what enough would actually feel like.
Read verse 16.13 in full →Verse 16.14
असौ मया हतः शत्रुर्हनिष्ये चापरानपि । ईश्वरोऽहमहं भोगी सिद्धोऽहं बलवान्सुखी ॥
asau mayā hataḥ śatrur haniṣye cāparān api īśvaro 'ham ahaṁ bhogī siddho 'haṁ balavān sukhī
This enemy has been slain by me, and I shall slay others too; I am the lord, I am the enjoyer, I am accomplished, powerful, and happy.
Life lesson: Watch today for moments when a small win tempts you to feel invincible — a little humility keeps you grounded.
Read verse 16.14 in full →Verse 16.15
आढ्योऽभिजनवानस्मि कोऽन्योऽस्ति सदृशो मया । यक्ष्ये दास्यामि मोदिष्य इत्यज्ञानविमोहिताः ॥
āḍhyo 'bhijanavān asmi ko 'nyo 'sti sadṛśo mayā yakṣye dāsyāmi modiṣya ity ajñāna-vimohitāḥ
I am rich and well-born; who else is equal to me? I shall sacrifice, I shall give, I shall rejoice — thus they are deluded by ignorance.
Life lesson: Before doing a good deed today, check your own intention — is it genuine care, or a quiet performance for others?
Read verse 16.15 in full →Verse 16.16
अनेकचित्तविभ्रान्ता मोहजालसमावृताः । प्रसक्ताः कामभोगेषु पतन्ति नरकेऽशुचौ ॥
aneka-citta-vibhrāntā moha-jāla-samāvṛtāḥ prasaktāḥ kāma-bhogeṣu patanti narake 'śucau
Bewildered by many thoughts, entangled in a web of delusion, attached to the gratification of desires, they fall into a foul hell.
Life lesson: Simplify your wants today rather than chasing too many things at once — it protects your peace of mind.
Read verse 16.16 in full →Verse 16.17
आत्मसम्भाविताः स्तब्धा धनमानमदान्विताः । यजन्ते नामयज्ञैस्ते दम्भेनाविधिपूर्वकम् ॥
ātma-sambhāvitāḥ stabdhā dhana-māna-madānvitāḥ yajante nāma-yajñais te dambhenāvidhi-pūrvakam
Self-conceited, stubborn, filled with the pride of wealth and honor, they perform sacrifices in name only, hypocritically, without following proper principles.
Life lesson: Before an act of devotion or charity today, ask honestly whether it's meaningful to you or just meant to be seen.
Read verse 16.17 in full →Verse 16.18
अहङ्कारं बलं दर्पं कामं क्रोधं च संश्रिताः । मामात्मपरदेहेषु प्रद्विषन्तोऽभ्यसूयकाः ॥
ahaṅkāraṁ balaṁ darpaṁ kāmaṁ krodhaṁ ca saṁśritāḥ mām ātma-para-deheṣu pradviṣanto 'bhyasūyakāḥ
Given over to egoism, power, arrogance, desire, and anger, these envious ones despise Me dwelling in their own body and in others' bodies.
Life lesson: When you're frustrated with someone today, remember there's something sacred in them too — let that soften your response.
Read verse 16.18 in full →Verse 16.19
तानहं द्विषतः क्रूरान्संसारेषु नराधमान् । क्षिपाम्यजस्रमशुभानासुरीष्वेव योनिषु ॥
tān ahaṁ dviṣataḥ krūrān saṁsāreṣu narādhamān kṣipāmy ajasram aśubhān āsurīṣv eva yoniṣu
These cruel haters, the lowest of men, I constantly cast into demoniac wombs in the cycles of this world.
Life lesson: Remember today that cruelty tends to draw more of the same into your life — kindness is also its own kind of magnet.
Read verse 16.19 in full →Verse 16.20
आसुरीं योनिमापन्ना मूढा जन्मनि जन्मनि । मामप्राप्यैव कौन्तेय ततो यान्त्यधमां गतिम् ॥
āsurīṁ yonim āpannā mūḍhā janmani janmani mām aprāpyaiva kaunteya tato yānty adhamāṁ gatim
Obtaining demoniac wombs birth after birth, deluded, and never reaching Me, O Kaunteya, they gradually sink to the lowest state.
Life lesson: Whatever pattern you've been stuck in, remember the door back to something better is never truly locked, only unopened.
Read verse 16.20 in full →Verse 16.21
त्रिविधं नरकस्येदं द्वारं नाशनमात्मनः । कामः क्रोधस्तथा लोभस्तस्मादेतत्त्रयं त्यजेत् ॥
tri-vidhaṁ narakasyedaṁ dvāraṁ nāśanam ātmanaḥ kāmaḥ krodhas tathā lobhas tasmād etat trayaṁ tyajet
There are three gates to self-destructive ruin — lust, anger, and greed. Therefore, one should abandon all three.
Life lesson: If you feel lust, anger, or greed pulling at you today, simply naming it as one of these three gates can help you step back.
Read verse 16.21 in full →Verse 16.22
एतैर्विमुक्तः कौन्तेय तमोद्वारैस्त्रिभिर्नरः । आचरत्यात्मनः श्रेयस्ततो याति परां गतिम् ॥
etair vimuktaḥ kaunteya tamo-dvārais tribhir naraḥ ācaraty ātmanaḥ śreyas tato yāti parāṁ gatim
Freed from these three gates to darkness, O Kaunteya, a person acts for their own true welfare and thereby attains the supreme goal.
Life lesson: Each time you step away from lust, anger, or greed today, know that you're directly walking toward your own true good.
Read verse 16.22 in full →Verse 16.23
यः शास्त्रविधिमुत्सृज्य वर्तते कामकारतः । न स सिद्धिमवाप्नोति न सुखं न परां गतिम् ॥
yaḥ śāstra-vidhim utsṛjya vartate kāma-kārataḥ na sa siddhim avāpnoti na sukhaṁ na parāṁ gatim
One who abandons the guidance of scripture and acts according to mere desire attains neither perfection, nor happiness, nor the highest goal.
Life lesson: Before following pure impulse today, check it against some steady guiding principle — unchecked desire tends to run in circles.
Read verse 16.23 in full →Verse 16.24
तस्माच्छास्त्रं प्रमाणं ते कार्याकार्यव्यवस्थितौ । ज्ञात्वा शास्त्रविधानोक्तं कर्म कर्तुमिहार्हसि ॥
tasmāc chāstraṁ pramāṇaṁ te kāryākārya-vyavasthitau jñātvā śāstra-vidhānoktaṁ karma kartum ihārhasi
Therefore, let scripture be your guide in determining what should and should not be done. Knowing what the scriptures teach, you should act accordingly.
Life lesson: When you're unsure today, check your choice against a trusted wisdom tradition rather than relying only on clouded feelings.
Read verse 16.24 in full →