Chapter 16 of 18 · 24 verses · 8 min
Bhagavad Gita chapter 16: Two kinds of character
Two kinds of character side by side: the qualities that free us and the ones that trap us.
A clear-eyed look at human character. On one side: fearlessness, honesty, kindness, patience, generosity, humility. On the other: arrogance, cruelty, endless greed and the restless mindset of “I got this today, I'll get that tomorrow.” Krishna names the three gates to self-destruction — lust, anger and greed — and reassures Arjuna that he is on the right side. It reads like a modern character study.
The line to remember · 16.21“Three gates to self-destruction: lust, anger and greed.”All 24 verses — tap any one to read it
- 16.1“Good-hearted people are brave, pure, generous, honest and keep learning…
- 16.2…they are kind, truthful, calm, gentle, never mean about others…
- 16.3…forgiving, strong and humble. These are god-like qualities.”
- 16.4“Showing off, pride, anger and harshness are the opposite.”
- 16.5“Good qualities set you free. Don’t worry, Arjuna — you have a good heart.”
- 16.6“There are two kinds of nature: good and harmful. Now hear about the harmful.”
- 16.7“Harmful people don’t know right from wrong.”
- 16.8“They say: ‘Nothing is true. There is no God. Life is just wanting.’”
- 16.9“Thinking this way, they become unkind and hurt the world.”
- 16.10“Never satisfied, full of pride, they chase wrong ideas.”
- 16.11“They worry all their lives and think getting more is everything.”
- 16.12“Ruled by greed and anger, they collect money any way they can.”
- 16.13“‘I got this today. I’ll get that tomorrow. All of it is mine.’”
- 16.14“‘I beat them. I’m the boss. I’m the best.’”
- 16.15“‘Who is like me? I’m rich and important!’ — so says the proud mind.”
- 16.16“Caught in a net of wanting, they fall into darkness.”
- 16.17“They pray only to show off.”
- 16.18“Full of ego, anger and pride, they don’t see God in themselves or in others.”
- 16.19“Cruel people keep ending up in hard lives.”
- 16.20“Again and again, they sink lower.”
- 16.21“Three doors lead to misery: lust, anger and greed. Close all three.” — a simple map for a peaceful life.
- 16.22“Walk away from those three doors and you find the highest good.”
- 16.23“Acting on every impulse never brings real happiness.”
- 16.24“Let timeless wisdom guide what you do.”
Traditional summary
Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga: Yoga through Discerning the Divine and Demoniac Natures
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.
