Bhagavad Gita Chapter 16: Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga

(Yoga through Discerning the Divine and Demoniac Natures)

24 verses · Jnana Yoga

The sixteenth chapter of the Bhagavad Gita is "Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga". In this chapter, Krishna describes explicitly the two kinds of natures among human beings - divine and demoniac. Those who possess demonaic qualities associate themselves with the modes of passion and ignorance do not follow the regulations of the scriptures and embrace materialistic views. These people attain lower births and further material bondage. But people who possess divine qualities, follow the instructions of the scriptures, associate themselves with the mode of goodness and purify the mind through spiritual practices. This leads to the enhancement of divine qualities and they eventually attain spiritual realization.

भगवद गीता का सोलहवा अध्याय दैवासुरसम्पद्विभागयोग है। इस अध्याय में, कृष्ण स्पष्ट रूप से मानवों की दो प्रकार की प्रकृतियों का वर्णन करते हैं- दैवीय और दानवीय। दानवीय स्वभाव वाले लोग स्वयं को लालसा और अज्ञान के तरीकों से जोड़ते हैं, शास्त्रों के नियमों का पालन नहीं करते हैं और भौतिक विचारों को ग्रहण करते हैं। ये लोग निचली जातियों में जन्म लेते हैं और भौतिक बंधनों में और भी बंध जाते हैं। परन्तु जो लोग दैवीय स्वभाव वाले होते हैं, वे शास्त्रों के निर्देशों का पालन करते हैं, अच्छे काम करते हैं और आध्यात्मिक प्रथाओं के माध्यम से मन को शुद्ध करते हैं। इससे दैवीय गुणों में वृद्धि होती है और वे अंततः आध्यात्मिक प्राप्ति प्राप्त करते हैं।

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 16: Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga – Yoga through Discerning the Divine and Demoniac Natures

Themes in this chapter

  • Divine qualities
  • Asuric qualities
  • Scripture as a guide

Important teachings

  • Fearlessness, purity, generosity, and self-restraint are listed among divine qualities.
  • Pride, cruelty, and the claim that the world is without truth are associated with the asuric path.
  • The chapter warns that desire, anger, and greed lead a person away from well-being.

All verses in Chapter 16

Chapter questions

What is Bhagavad Gita Chapter 16 about?

The sixteenth chapter of the Bhagavad Gita is "Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga". In this chapter, Krishna describes explicitly the two kinds of natures among human beings - divine and demoniac. Those who possess demonaic qualities associate themselves with the modes of passion and ignorance do not follow the regulations of the scriptures and embrace materialistic views. These people attain lower births and further material bondage. But people who possess divine qualities, follow the instructions of the scriptures, associate themselves with the mode of goodness and purify the mind through spiritual practices. This leads to the enhancement of divine qualities and they eventually attain spiritual realization.

How many verses are in Chapter 16?

Chapter 16, Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga, contains 24 verses.