Daivaasura Sampadvibhaaga Yoga
Divine and Demonic Natures
BACKGROUND
SriKrishna has described the whole science of right action, Jnyana with Vijnyana, spiritual knowledge with objective knowledge, as the basis to decide the right action and carry it to the highest perfection. This dialogue, started in Chapter 7, reaching a climax with the grand vision of HIS Cosmic form in Chapter 11. Then, a description of how diversity of life forms and varieties of natures originate was given in Chapters 13 and 14 and the beautiful description of the Supreme Divine Being in Chapter 15. To choose the right action and do it with perfection, one has to think, act and live in the Divine. The main assets one needs for this are: proper discrimination of doable and not doable, duty and non-duty, choosing and engaging in doable actions of duty with enthusiasm, equanimity of mind to success and setback, performing actions as an offering the all-pervading Divine, acceptance of results as a gift from the Divine. Thus, one does not get engrossed or get carried away in his lower nature driven by ego and the attendant Gunas of Sattva, Rajas and Tamas. The mediator for this divine transformation of all action is to know that there is a higher unchanging aspect in all creatures and the physical world, which is infinite. One timeless, formless – Divine Being appears as all forms and sustains all the entities in the universe. With this knowledge, one can increase the Sattva quality in all aspects of life until it becomes a natural disposition. Then, one becomes essentially Divine with inexhaustible energy. Such a person becomes a positive force to draw everyone to his nature and uplift the society. After this extensive dealing with the positive, upward growth, SriKrishna also reveals in Chapter 16 what would happen if one fails to recognize and accept the Divine in nature.
SUMMARY
SriKrishna describes what happens when one functions under the influence of ego – Ahankara , and Rajas and Tamas qualities are given free play. Undisciplined and unawakened action of Rajas and Tamas leads the human being to become demonic, leading to self-destruction, damage to societal harmony, and undermines the inalienable sanctity of human being, all life forms and the creation. Since all human beings have all three nature’s Gunas –Sattva, Rajas and Tamas, there is an innate propensity to become fully Divine (influence of Sattva) or exaggerate the demonic propensity (influence of Rajas and Tamas). SriKrishna gives a description of a person living solely under the influence of lower ego. SriKrishna gives clear advice as to how to avoid this path to one’s own downfall. The Chapter 16 ends with a clear formula to steer oneself towards the highest possible Divine expression of oneself.
CONTENTS
Daivee Sampthi, Divine Qualities:
The qualities of a man born in Deva nature are: Fearlessness, pure temperament, proper mix of spiritual study and work, self-control, sacrifice, scriptural study, generosity, performing austerities, straight-forwardness, harmlessness, truth, not getting angry, renunciation of fruit of action, tranquility, not narrow minded, kindness towards all beings, absence of greed, gentleness, modesty, giving up useless activity, brilliance, forgiveness, patience, cleanliness, absence of envy and pride. BG:16:1-3.
Demonic or Ungodly Qualities:
The qualities of humans born in Asuric or demonic nature are: Hypocrisy, pride, arrogance, excessive self-esteem, anger, harshness, ignorance. BG:16:4.
After listing the above qualities SriKrishna says: ” divine qualities will lead one towards freedom and demonic qualities lead one to bondage. Oh Arjuna do not grieve, you are born endowed with divine qualities”. BG 16:5. This is to reassure Arjuna that the act of colossal destruction he needs to part-take in the ensuing war is not a demonic act.
Qualities of People With Demonic Nature:
Demonic or ungodly persons do not understand what should be done and what should not be done, no purity, no good behavior, they think that there is no reality in the world, world is without a spiritual foundation, sole object of life is to enjoy sense pleasure. Accepting this view of life, they ruin their potential to be Divine, ruin their reason and become a powerful force of fierce, violent actions and destruction in the world. By resorting to desire that can never be satisfied, people with demonic temperament, saturated with hypocrisy, false dignity and pride, entertain false ideas and engage in impure actions. They are engrossed through out their life with anxiety, firmly believing that enjoying sense objects is everything. They are bound by innumerable bonds of hope, subject to desire and anger, they are occupied in amassing wealth by unjust means to satisfy their cravings. They think “today I have acquired this, I shall satisfy that desire tomorrow, I will accumulate more wealth, I have killed this enemy, I shall kill destroy others, I am the lord, I am perfect, accomplished, strong, happy, fortunate, privileged, I am wealthy, I am of high birth, who else can be like me?, I will perform sacrifices, I will give charity, I will enjoy”. BG:16:7-15.
Result of Entertaining Demonic Qualities and Living in Delusion:
People who live engrossed in enjoyment of sense pleasure, being bloated by ego, power, pride and anger, hate the Parmaeshwara who resides in their body and all other bodies. Such people take future births in situations that blindly nurture worldly life, fall low in life and get further away from reaching the Divine. BG:16:18-20.
How to Guard Oneself from Taking the Road of Demonic Nature:
There are Three huge gateways to hell (living a life nurturing demonic temperament), namely desire, anger and greed. Therefore one has to renounce these three thieves of the Divine with in. By taking control of these enemies, one turns to higher good and arrives at the Divine in due course. BG:16:21,22.
A Definite Formula for Success:
Sri Krishna sums up in last two verses of the chapter saying: “Oh Arjuna, one who casts aside the directives of the Shastra (scriptures which instruct on Dharma), follows the prompts of his desire does not attain perfection. Therefore, you must accept the scriptures’ authority to decide what is to be done and what ought not to be done. After finding out what is directed by the scriptures, it is proper that you should do accordingly”. BG:16:23,24.
OM TAT SAT.
Iswari's Gita Summaries 
this recitation is very simple and melodious, easy to learn as I feel.