In the 18th session of the Bhagavad Gita Simplified, Shree Krishna discusses two fundamental aspects of human nature: the saintly and the demoniac. This class offers insights into how these contrasting qualities shape our destiny, influencing our spiritual progress or entanglement in material life. Shree Krishna also elaborates on the influence of faith on actions like sacrifice, austerity, and charity and how the type of food we consume affects our behaviour. By understanding and cultivating saintly qualities, one moves closer to liberation, while demoniac traits bind the soul to the material realm.
Two types of human nature - Saintly and Demoniac Natures
Shree Krishna describes that there are two distinct types of human natures: saintly (daivi) and demoniac (asuri). The divine or saintly qualities lead an individual toward transcendence and spiritual elevation, while the demoniac traits keep one trapped in the cycle of birth and death. Those with saintly qualities are naturally drawn to God Realisation, while those with demoniac tendencies spiral deeper into ignorance and suffering.
दैवी संपद्विमोक्षाय निबन्धायासुरी मता |
"The divine qualities lead to liberation, while the demoniac qualities cause bondage." (BG 16.5) Shree Krishna assures Arjun that he was born with saintly virtues and should not grieve.
Cultivating Saintly Qualities for Elevation:
Shree Krishna outlines twenty-six virtues of a saintly nature that should be cultivated as part of our spiritual journey. These qualities foster inner peace, discipline, and spiritual advancement. Key virtues include:
- Self Discipline, truthfulness, nonviolence, forgiveness, and peace: These attributes promote inner growth and detachment from material desires.
- Modesty, strength, and detachment: Cultivating these qualities purifies the mind and aligns it with a higher spiritual purpose.
By embracing these virtues, one transcends material attachments and moves toward spiritual enlightenment.
Attachment and the Strengthening of Demoniac Traits
On the contrary, Shree Krishna also describes the six characteristics of a demoniac nature, which lead one deeper into material entanglements and spiritual decline.
दम्भो दर्पोऽभिमानश्च क्रोध: पारुष्यमेव च |
अज्ञानं चाभिजातस्य पार्थ सम्पदमासुरीम् ||
"Hypocrisy, arrogance, conceit, anger, harshness, and ignorance are the qualities of those born with a demoniac nature." (BG 16.4)
These negative traits pull the soul further into samsara, increasing material attachments and keeping one in the cycle of life and death. Those with demoniac tendencies act without consideration of spiritual principles, leading to misery and bondage.
The Role of Scriptures and Guru
Shree Krishna emphasises the importance of scriptures and the guidance of a Guru as essential tools for attaining spiritual knowledge. The scriptures provide both Vidhi (what actions should be performed) and Nishedh (what actions should be avoided), guiding humans on the path to enlightenment.
य: शास्त्रविधिमुत्सृज्य वर्तते कामकारत: |
न स सिद्धिमवाप्नोति न सुखं न परां गतिम् ||
"Those who act under the impulse of desire, discarding the injunctions of the scriptures, attain neither perfection, happiness, nor the supreme goal of life." (BG 16.23)
Acting without the wisdom of scriptures or the guidance of a Guru leads one astray while following their directives fosters spiritual growth and enlightenment.
The Threefold Division of Faith
Faith is inherent to all human beings, but its nature depends on the gunas (modes of material nature). Depending on whether a person is influenced by sattva (goodness), rajas (passion), or tamas (ignorance), their faith and actions will reflect these qualities.
- Sattvic Faith: People with pure faith worship gods and seek higher truths.
- Rajasic Faith: Those driven by material desires worship demigods or powerful entities.
- Tamasic Faith: Those in ignorance worship spirits or ghosts, often driven by delusion.
The nature of one's faith also determines how one performs acts of sacrifice, austerity, and charity.
The Influence of Food on Behavior
Shree Krishna explains that food can be classified according to the three gunas, and it has a direct impact on our behaviour and spiritual progress.
- Sattvic Food: Pure, fresh, and nourishing food increases strength, health, and clarity, promoting peaceful living.
- Rajasic Food: Foods that are excessively spicy, bitter, or sour lead to pain, disease, and mental agitation.
- Tamasic Food: Stale, impure, or overcooked food creates lethargy, dullness, and ignorance, hindering spiritual growth.
Our food choices shape both our physical and mental states, and in turn, influence our spiritual and worldly actions.
Acts of Sacrifice, Austerity, and Charity
Shree Krishna explains that sacrifice (yajna), austerity (tapas), and charity (dana) should be performed according to one's faith:
- Sacrifice:
- Sattvic: Performed selflessly, following scriptural guidelines.
- Rajasic: Done with the desire for material benefits or social recognition.
- Tamasic: Performed without faith or contrary to scriptural instructions.
- Austerity:
- Sattvic: Practiced with self-control, for self-purification, without ego.
- Rajasic: Done for a show to gain power or recognition.
- Tamasic: Inflicting harm on oneself or others.
- Charity:
- Sattvic: Given selflessly, without expecting anything in return.
- Rajasic: Given with the expectation of reciprocation or for recognition.
- Tamasic: Done carelessly, without respect or for impure motives.
Shree Krishna emphasises that sacrifices, austerities, and charity performed with the right intent and faith bring spiritual advancement, while those driven by ego, ignorance, or desire hinder progress.
Key Learnings from Today's Class
- Divine and Demoniac Qualities:
Cultivating divine virtues like fearlessness, purity of heart, compassion, and self-control leads to spiritual growth and liberation. Conversely, demoniac traits such as pride, arrogance, hypocrisy, and ignorance trap the soul in the cycle of suffering and rebirth. - Role of Scriptures and Guru:
The scriptures provide essential guidance for proper actions and spiritual progress. Following the instructions of the Guru and scriptures ensures that one's actions lead to the supreme goal while ignoring them leads to confusion and bondage. - Faith and Its Influence:
A person's faith is shaped by their nature—whether in the mode of goodness, passion, or ignorance—and influences their practices, beliefs, and actions. Faith determines how one engages in sacrifices, austerities, and charity. - The Influence of Food:
The food we consume affects both our body and mind. Sattvic food promotes health, happiness, and clarity, while rajasic and tamasic foods lead to pain, disease, and ignorance. - Sacrifice, Austerity, and Charity:
Acts of sacrifice, austerity, and charity must be performed with the right intentions. When done selflessly and in accordance with the scriptures, they lead to spiritual advancement. However, when driven by ego, desire for recognition, or ignorance, these acts lose their spiritual value and can even hinder one's progress. - The Role of Intent:
The motivation behind one's actions is crucial. Acts performed with pure intent and devoid of selfish desires help in spiritual growth, while those driven by materialistic or egoistic motivations create further entanglements in the material world.
Summary: JKYog India Online Class- Bhagavad Gita Simplified [English]- 6th October 2024
