Bhagavad Gita Chapter 16
Summary of Chapter 16
Description of Divine and Demonic Natures
Special Note: In Chapter 16, verses 1 to 3 describe the characteristics of those virtuous souls who, in their previous births, practiced Brahm worship according to the Vedas—that is, scripturally sanctioned worship—by chanting the name Om. As a result, after enjoying some happiness in Brahmlok, when they again receive a human birth and obtain devotion to the Supreme God from a Tatvadarshi (true enlightened) Saint, even if they have not yet crossed beyond, whenever they take human birth, they exhibit the following qualities.
In Bhagavad Gita Chapter 16, verses 1 to 3, Kaal Brahm describes the divine nature (noble souls). Such people are fearless, free from enmity, perform righteous religious practices, speak gently, do not slander others, and are not lustful, angry, greedy, covetous, or arrogant. They do not demand respect from others and possess modesty (a sense of shame). They engage in charity, self-study, and yajna. They have been practicing devotion since previous births; therefore, their nature resembles that of divine persons, that is, saints.
Special Clarification: In verse 1, the word “tapas” (austerity) in the original text does not mean severe physical penance. Rather, it refers to the hardship endured while practicing scripturally sanctioned devotion. For example, a seeker must abandon previously followed un-scriptural practices. The society in which the seeker lives often strongly opposes this change. Enduring such opposition while adhering to one’s true duty is what is referred to here as tapas.
In Gita Chapter 16, verse 4, it is stated that those who possess hypocrisy, arrogance, anger, harshness, and ignorance have a demonic disposition. They are born with such demonic tendencies, meaning they did not receive the company of saints in their previous lives. They abandoned scriptural injunctions and followed arbitrary conduct, engaging in other forms of worship—such as worship of Rajgun Brahma, Satgun Vishnu, Tamgun Shiva, as well as ghosts, ancestors, goddesses, Bhairavs, etc. Whenever they obtain a human body, they again follow the same practices due to their ingrained nature. As a result, they do not develop higher or noble thoughts.
In Chapter 16, verse 5, it is stated that those of saintly nature are born to attain liberation through devotion. If they find a complete Saint-Guru, liberation is assured; if they do not receive a complete Guru (one who grants Satnam and Sarnam), their life becomes wasted due to incorrect worship. Those of demonic nature do not practice true devotion. Even if they do worship, it is without scriptural method and filled with hypocrisy according to folk traditions, while continuing indulgence in vices such as tobacco, meat, and alcohol. Even if some abstain from vices, they still remain inclined toward unauthorized forms of worship. If someone tries to explain the truth to them, they become angry. Such people become bound by inauspicious karmas, that is, trapped in the cycle of 8.4 million life forms. Arjun, you are born with a divine, saintly disposition; therefore, do not worry.
In Gita Chapter 16, verse 6, it is stated that there are two types of people in this world:
- Those of saintly (divine) nature
- Those of demonic nature
The characteristics of saintly persons have already been explained in verses 1–3. Now listen in detail to the traits of demonic persons.
In Chapter 16, verse 7, it is said that demonic people do not know what should be done and what should not be done. They possess neither purity, nor proper conduct, nor truthfulness.
In Chapter 16, verse 8, it is stated that demonic people claim that the world is without foundation, false, and without God—that it has come into existence on its own through the union of male and female, and that lust alone is its cause.
In Chapter 16, verse 9, it is stated that following false knowledge, these fallen souls of dull intellect engage in harmful and cruel actions and are born for the destruction of the world.
In Chapter 16, verse 10, demonic individuals wander around filled with hypocrisy, pride, intoxication, clinging to desires that are difficult to fulfill, deluded by ignorance, accepting false doctrines, and engaging in corrupt conduct.
In Chapter 16, verse 11, it is stated that even after death, the demonic nature of such individuals does not end. They are burdened with innumerable anxieties, remain absorbed in sense pleasures, and consider this alone to be happiness.
In Chapter 16, verse 12, it is stated that demonic persons—whether they call themselves saints, their followers, or independent practitioners of un-scriptural worship—are bound by hundreds of nooses of hope. Controlled by lust and anger, they unjustly accumulate wealth for sense enjoyment and practice devotion without scriptural method.
Example: Once, this servant (Sant Rampal Das) was delivering a discourse in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. A person attended the discourse and later received initiation from me. He informed me that there was a famous saint’s ashram there, and one of that saint’s disciples happened to be his relative. That saint instructed the relative to manufacture various medicines under the supervision of expert physicians. One medicine packet cost 9 rupees to produce. The saint told him to sell each packet to him for 5 rupees, claiming he would distribute them free for charity. Trusting his guru, the relative agreed. However, the saint sold the medicine to devotees for 15 rupees per packet through a personal servant. When the relative discovered this and protested, the saint threatened him and warned him to remain silent. Goons were sent after him, and he was attacked with lethal intent in Haridwar. He survived narrowly.
The essence of Chapter 16, verse 13 is that demonic people boast: “Today I have gained much wealth; I will do this, I will obtain that. I have so much wealth now, and in the future I will gain even more.”
The meaning of verse 14 is that such people say: “I have killed my enemies; I will kill the rest as well. I am God; I am perfect, powerful, and happy.”
In verses 15 and 16, demonic persons proclaim: “I am very wealthy and from a great family. Who is equal to me? I will perform sacrifices, give charity, and enjoy myself.” Thus, deluded by ignorance and entangled in the net of illusion, excessively attached to sense pleasures, they fall into extremely filthy hells.
The essence of Chapter 16, verses 17 to 20 is that those sinners who engage in arbitrary, un-scriptural worship—such as worship of the three gunas (Rajgun Brahma, Satgun Vishnu, Tamgun Shiva), other inferior deities, ancestor worship (shraddh), ghost worship, ritual offerings, post-death ceremonies, etc. (as evidenced in Gita Chapter 7 verses 12–15 and 20–23, and Chapter 9 verses 22–25)—such arrogant, slanderous, cruel, and low individuals who disobey My commands, I (Brahm) repeatedly cast into demonic wombs. Such fools do not attain Me nor reach My great heaven (Brahmlok). After briefly enjoying transient heavenly pleasures, they fall into extremely low states, that is, terrible hells.
Further, in Chapter 16, verses 23–24, it is stated that those who abandon scriptural injunctions and act according to their own desires neither attain happiness, nor success, nor the supreme destination. Therefore, Arjun, the scriptures alone are the authority in determining what should and should not be done. One should not accept any path of devotion prescribed by any individual saint or sage if it contradicts the scriptures.
Those with Vices Cannot Practice True Devotion
The essence of Chapter 16, verses 21–22 is that lust, anger, and greed are the gates to hell. Only those who are free from these can attain the supreme state (complete liberation); others cannot. Kabir Sahib also gives proof:
Kabir says: The lustful, angry, and greedy cannot practice devotion. Only a true warrior practices devotion, abandoning caste, lineage, and pride.
Un-Scriptural Worship Is Futile
In Chapter 16, verses 23–24, it is stated that those who abandon scriptural injunctions and follow their own will—worshipping Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, other gods and goddesses, idols, ancestors, ghosts, performing shraddh, ritual offerings, pilgrimages, austerities, tree worship, mantra chanting without a Guru, yajnas, donations, regional deities, samadhi worship, folk saints, fasts, Hanuman worship, etc.—cannot attain happiness, spiritual power, or liberation. Therefore, Arjun, perform only those actions sanctioned by scripture, because incorrect worship is harmful rather than beneficial.
Note: Please observe the illustration of the devotional plant planted straight and upside down; it will quickly remove doubts. Kabir Sahib says:
Kabir says: By worshipping the One, all is achieved; By trying to worship all, everything is lost. As a gardener waters the root, The tree bears fruit and flowers abundantly.