Chapter 16 in Full Detail

Minutes to read.

Summary of Shrimad Bhagavad Gita Chapter 16

Description of Divine and Demonic Natures

Note: Verses 1 to 3 of Chapter 16 describe the characteristics of those pious souls who, in their previous births, practiced scriptural worship according to the Vedas (specifically the meditation on the name 'OM'). Having enjoyed the comforts of Brahm Lok for some time, they have obtained a human birth again. These are souls who previously sought the Tattvadarshi Saint but could not attain liberation; when they receive a human birth, they exhibit the following traits.

Gita Chapter 16, Verses 1 to 3: Kaal Brahm describes the Divine Nature (Daivi Sampada) of generous souls. They are fearless, free from enmity, performers of religious rituals, and soft-spoken. They do not criticize others and are not lustful, angry, greedy, or arrogant. They do not seek respect for themselves and possess a sense of modesty. They engage in charity, self-study, and sacrifices (Yagyas). Because they have been practicing devotion over many births, their temperament is like that of saintly men.

Special Clarification: In Verse 1, the word "Tapa" (penance) in the original text does not refer to harsh physical mortification. It refers to the hardships endured while practicing scriptural worship—such as the struggle a seeker faces when abandoning age-old unscriptural traditions and facing the fierce opposition of society to follow the true path.

Gita Chapter 16, Verse 4: It is stated that individuals possessing hypocrisy, pride, anger, harshness, and ignorance are of Demonic Nature (Rakshas Vritti). These souls did not receive the company of true saints in their previous births and continued to act arbitrarily by abandoning scriptural injunctions—worshipping others (Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, ghosts, ancestors, or local deities). When they obtain a human body, they continue these practices due to their old habits and thus do not possess high-minded perspectives.
Gita Chapter 16, Verse 5: Those with a saintly nature are born to attain liberation through devotion. If they find a Complete Saint (one who bestows Satnam and Saarnam), they attain liberation; otherwise, their life is wasted in wrong practices. Conversely, demonic individuals either do not practice devotion at all, or if they do, it is unscriptural, hypocritical, and based on folklore (Lokved). They often indulge in vices like tobacco, meat, and alcohol. Even if they avoid vices, they remain stubborn in their "other-worship." They get angry if someone tries to explain the truth to them. Such people are bound by the shackles of 8.4 million life forms. Kaal says, "Arjuna, you are born with a divine nature; do not worry."

Gita Chapter 16, Verse 6: There are two groups of people in this world: those with a Saintly nature and those with a Demonic nature. The traits of the saintly were described in Verses 1-3. Now, listen to the characteristics of the demonic in detail.
Gita Chapter 16, Verse 7: Demonic individuals do not understand what to do (Pravritti) and what to refrain from (Nivritti). They lack purity, proper conduct, and truth.
Gita Chapter 16, Verse 8: Those of demonic nature claim the world is without a foundation (Niradhar), is unreal (Asatya), and exists without a God. They believe life is produced only by the union of male and female, and that lust is the sole cause of existence.
Gita Chapter 16, Verse 9: Following false knowledge, these "lost souls" (Nisht Atma) possess dull intellects. They are cruel workers who perform harmful deeds and are born only for the destruction of the world.
Gita Chapter 16, Verse 10: Demonic individuals, filled with hypocrisy, pride, and intoxication, surrender to insatiable desires. Due to delusion (ignorance), they adopt false principles and wander about with corrupt conduct.
Gita Chapter 16, Verse 11: This nature does not end even after death. Bound by innumerable worries and devoted to sensual enjoyments, they believe this worldly pleasure to be the ultimate goal.
Gita Chapter 16, Verse 12: Whether they call themselves saints, followers, or independent practitioners of unscriptural methods, they are bound by hundreds of shackles of desire. Driven by lust and anger, they strive to accumulate wealth through unjust means for sensual gratification and perform devotion that contradicts scriptural injunctions.

An Example of Modern "Demonic" Conduct

Example: Once, I (Saint Rampal Das) was delivering a spiritual discourse (Satsang) in the city of Ahmedabad, Gujarat. A person who listened to the discourse subsequently took initiation (Diksha) from me. He shared an account involving a famous local saint’s ashram.

He explained that his relative had become a disciple of that famous saint. The saint instructed the relative to manufacture various types of medicines. Following the "Guru’s" orders, the relative prepared these medicines under the supervision of expert physicians (Vaidyas). The production cost for one specific type of medicine came to 9 Rupees per packet.

The saint told him, "Supply these to me at 5 Rupees per packet. I will distribute these medicines for free as a charitable service (Parmarth)." Believing this to be a direct command from his Guru, the relative agreed.

However, that saint began selling those medicine packets to his followers for 15 Rupees each, assigning the sales task to one of his private assistants. When the relative discovered this, he confronted the saint, protesting against the injustice. He said, "I will expose your deceit! I have incurred losses worth lakhs, while you are amassing wealth."

The saint threatened him, saying, "If you open your mouth anywhere, you won't be spared." He set goons after him, and a life-threatening attack was made on the relative in Haridwar. Since his life-breaths remained, he survived.

Reflection

This modern-day incident perfectly illustrates the traits described in Gita Chapter 16, Verse 12—where individuals masquerading as saints are actually bound by greed and "demonic" nature, using deceit and violence to accumulate wealth through unjust means.

The Mindset of the Demonic and the Consequence of Unscriptural Worship

Gita Chapter 16, Verse 13: The essence is that those of demonic nature often say: "I have gained so much wealth today. I will do this, I will achieve that; I have this much money now, and in the future, I will have even more."

Gita Chapter 16, Verse 14: The meaning is that these individuals with a demonic mindset say: "Those enemies have been slain by me, and I will kill those other enemies as well. I am God—I am perfect, powerful, and happy."

Gita Chapter 16, Verses 15–16: Those of demonic nature say: "I am wealthy and belong to a prestigious family. Who else is equal to me? I will perform sacrifices (Yagyas), I will give charity, and I will rejoice." Thus, deluded by ignorance, with minds wandering in many directions and trapped in the snare of attachment, these demonic people—deeply addicted to sensual enjoyments—fall into a foul and horrible hell.

The Consequence of Abandoning Scriptural Injunctions

The essence of Gita Chapter 16, Verses 17–20: Those who perform arbitrary worship contrary to scriptural injunctions fall into the following categories:

Worshiping the three Gunas (Rajogun Brahma, Satgun Vishnu, Tamgun Shiva) and other lower deities.
Worshiping ancestors (performing Shradh).
Worshiping ghosts (rituals like Pind-daan, 13th or 17th-day death ceremonies).
Carrying out post-death rituals like picking up "flowers" (cremated bones/ashes).

Evidence: Confirmation that these are unscriptural acts is found in Holy Gita Chapter 7, Verses 12–15 & 20–23, and Gita Chapter 9, Verses 22–25.

Kaal (Brahm) says: "I repeatedly cast these sinners, the arrogant, the slanderers, and the cruel, low-minded individuals who violate my commands into demonic wombs. These fools, failing to reach me—meaning they fail to even reach my 'Great Heaven' (Mahaswarga) located in Brahm Lok—enjoy only momentary pleasures in lower heavens before attaining an extremely degraded state, eventually falling into a terrible hell."

The Final Verdict: Scriptures are the Only Evidence

Gita Chapter 15, Verses 23–24: In direct connection to the above, it is stated that the individual who abandons the injunctions of the scriptures and acts (worships) according to their own whimsical desires attains neither happiness, nor success in any task, nor the Supreme Goal (salvation).

Therefore, Arjuna, for determining what should be done (devotional acts) and what should not be done (prohibited worship), the Scriptures alone are the evidence. One should not accept any path of devotion provided by any specific person, saint, or sage if it is contrary to the scriptures (Shastra-viruddh).

The Impure Cannot Perform Devotion

The essence of Gita Chapter 16, Verses 21–22: Lust (Kaam), Anger (Krodh), and Greed (Lobh) are the gateways that lead the soul into hell. Only those who are free from these vices can attain the Supreme Goal (Complete Liberation); otherwise, it is impossible.

Almighty Kabir also provides evidence of this:

Kabir, kaami krodhi laalchi, in se bhakti na hoy | Bhakti karai koi soorma, jaati varn kul khoy || (Kabir says: The lustful, the angry, and the greedy cannot perform devotion. Only a brave soul—a spiritual warrior—who transcends the pride of caste, color, and lineage, can truly perform devotion.)

Unscriptural Worship is Futile

Gita Chapter 16, Verses 23–24: It is stated that individuals who abandon the injunctions of the scriptures and act according to their own whimsical desires perform unscriptural worship (Shastra-viruddh). This includes:

Worshiping the three Gunas (Rajogun Brahma, Satgun Vishnu, Tamgun Shiva) and other minor deities.
Idol worship, ancestor worship (Pitru-puja), ghost worship, performing Shradh, or Pind-daan.
Worshiping specific shrines (Dham-puja), performing circumambulation (Parikrama) of Govardhan, or wandering to various pilgrimage sites (Tirthas).
Performing harsh penance (Tapa), worshiping trees (Pipal, Janti, Tulsi), or chanting mantras without a Guru.
Performing sacrifices (Yagyas) or charity (Daan) arbitrarily.
Worshiping various local "Mothers" (Gudgaon-wali, Beri-wali, Calcutta-wali, Seek-pathri-wali).
Worshiping tombs (Samadh), Guga Pir, Johad-wala Baba, observing dates/fasts (Vrat), or worshiping Baba Shyam Ji, Hanuman Ji, etc.

Such people cannot be happy, they do not attain Siddhis (spiritual powers), nor do they attain salvation (Mukti). Therefore, Arjuna, for determining what is worthy of being done, the Scriptures alone are the evidence for you. Wrong spiritual practice is harmful instead of beneficial.

Note: Please refer to the diagrams of the "Rightly Planted" vs. "Inverted" tree of devotion to quickly clear your doubts. Kabir Ji has said:

Kabir ekai sadhai sab sadhai, sab sadhai sab jaay | Maali seenchein mool koon, phalai phoolai aghay || (Kabir says: By serving the One [the Root/Supreme God], everything is accomplished; by serving everyone else, everything is lost. When the gardener waters the root, the tree flourishes with flowers and fruits to one’s heart’s content.)