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Bhagavad Gita 16.7

Chapter 16, Verse 7

Part of 16: Daivāsura Sampad Vibhāg Yogदैवासुरसम्पद्विभागयोग

प्रवृत्तिं च निवृत्तिं च जना न विदुरासुराः।न शौचं नापि चाचारो न सत्यं तेषु विद्यते॥

Transliteration

pravṛittiṁ cha nivṛittiṁ cha janā na vidur āsurāḥ na śhauchaṁ nāpi chāchāro na satyaṁ teṣhu vidyate

Meaning

The demoniacal do not know what to do and what to refrain from; they have neither purity, nor right conduct, nor truth.

Word-by-word meaning
pravṛittimproper actionschaandnivṛittimimproper actionschaandjanāḥpersonsnanotviduḥcomprehendāsurāḥthose possessing demoniac naturenaneitherśhauchampuritynanorapievenchaandāchāraḥconductnanorsatyamtruthfulnessteṣhuin themvidyateexist
Commentary

The demoniacal do not understand the nature of action and inaction (right abstinence). The idea of a Self apart from the body, doing nothing (actionless) but imply watching the play of the Gunas is something incomprehensible to them. They have no consideration for the interest of others. They work for the sake of their bodies or sensual enjoyment. They are greedy, selfish and cruel. Therefore, they have neither good conduct nor good behaviour. They are untruthful, unjust and impure. They do not know what actions they should do in order to attain the goal of life or end of human existence, nor from what actions they should refrain to ward off,evil. Those who are endowed with demoniacal alities are sunk in the mire of ignorance. They are totally ignorant of what is prescribed or what is prohibited action. They have not the least idea of what purity or cleanliness is. Their actions are crooked. They know neither right Pravritti nor right Nivritti. They have no idea of virtue or vice or of scriptural injunctions or prohibitions. They will never speak loving words. They are hypocrites and liars.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 16, Verse 7?
The demoniacal do not know what to do and what to refrain from; they have neither purity, nor right conduct, nor truth.
Which chapter and verse of the Bhagavad Gita is this?
This is verse 7 of Chapter 16 (Daivāsura Sampad Vibhāg Yog — Yoga through Discerning the Divine and Demoniac Natures) of the Bhagavad Gita, a scripture of 18 chapters and 700 verses spoken by Lord Krishna to Arjuna.