BHAGAVAD GITA 16.4
dambho darpo ‘bhimanas ca krodhah parusyam eva ca ajnanam cabhijatasya partha sampadam asurim
Hypocrisy, arrogance, excessive pride, anger, harshness, and ignorance: these are the endowments of one born to a demonic nature, O Partha.
The contrasting list of asuric (demonic) qualities. Each is the shadow of a divine quality: hypocrisy is the shadow of truth, arrogance the shadow of confidence, anger the shadow of righteous zeal. The Gita does not moralize. It diagnoses.
Understanding Bhagavad Gita 16.4
Bhagavad Gita 16.4 belongs to Chapter 16, Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga: the yoga of distinguishing divine from demonic endowments. The verse teaches: The contrasting list of asuric (demonic) qualities. Each is the shadow of a divine quality: hypocrisy is the shadow of truth, arrogance the shadow of confidence, anger the shadow of righteous zeal. The Gita does not moralize. It diagnoses. Chapter 16 is one of the Gita’s most psychologically precise chapters. It maps the inner qualities that either open the door to liberation or lock it more tightly.
Study the Bhagavad Gita verse by verse with audio, reflection, and guided inquiry.
Divine and Demonic: A Map, Not a Judgment
The Gita’s purpose in Chapter 16 is not to condemn but to diagnose. Most people carry both divine and demonic tendencies. The question is which ones are being fed. Verse 16.4 points to one specific quality or tendency. Seeing it clearly, in the text and in yourself, is the beginning of choosing differently.
From Recognition to Practice
Chapter 16 closes with a practical injunction: let scripture be your guide. The divine qualities listed in verses 16.1 to 16.3 are not just ideals. They are practices. Each one can be cultivated through daily attention and honest self-inquiry. Verse 16.4 gives you one more thread to pull.
The divine inheritance is yours. GitaPath helps you claim it, one verse at a time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 16.4?
BG 16.4 teaches: The contrasting list of asuric (demonic) qualities. Each is the shadow of a divine quality: hypocrisy is the shadow of truth, arrogance the shadow of confidence, anger the shadow of righteous zeal. The Gita does not moralize. It diagnoses. It is part of Chapter 16, which maps the divine and demonic qualities and shows how each leads to a different destination.
How do the divine and demonic qualities differ?
Divine qualities open and clarify: they move toward truth, compassion, and liberation. Demonic qualities contract and obscure: they move toward self-deception, cruelty, and bondage. Chapter 16 maps both in detail.
Is this verse relevant to modern life?
Deeply. The qualities described in Chapter 16 are not historical curiosities. They operate in every workplace, every relationship, and every inner life. Verse 16.4 adds one more precise observation to this timeless map.
What is the context of BG 16.4 in Chapter 16?
Chapter 16 distinguishes between daivi sampad (divine qualities) and asuri sampad (demonic qualities), and shows where each leads. Verse 16.4 is one facet of this complete portrait.
How does GitaPath help me develop the divine qualities?
GitaPath offers daily reflection prompts for each verse of Chapter 16, asking you to notice where these qualities are present or absent in your own experience right now. That honest observation is the beginning of change.
Recognize the divine and demonic within. Choose wisely, daily. GitaPath shows you how.
