Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 16 · Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga

Bhagavad Gita 16.6 द्वौ भूतसर्गौ लोकेऽस्मिन्दैव आसुर एव च

Sri Krishna Chapter 16, Verse 6 With word-by-word notes

श्लोक 16.6

द्वौ भूतसर्गौ लोकेऽस्मिन्दैव आसुर एव च ।
दैवो विस्तरशः प्रोक्त आसुरं पार्थ मे शृणु ॥

dvau bhūtasargau loke'smindaiva āsura eva ca |
daivo vistaraśaḥ prokta āsuraṃ pārtha me śṛṇu ||

हिन्दी अर्थ

इस संसार में प्राणियों की दो प्रकार की सृष्टि है, दैवी और आसुरी। दैवी स्वभाव का विस्तार से वर्णन हो चुका, अब हे पार्थ! मुझसे आसुरी स्वभाव के बारे में सुनो।

Meaning in English

There are two kinds of beings created in this world, the divine and the demoniac. The divine has been described at length; now hear from me about the demoniac, O Partha.

Bhagavad Gita 16.6 — word by word

WordTransliterationMeaning
द्वौdvautwo
भूतसर्गौbhūta-sargaukinds of created beings
लोके अस्मिन्loke asminin this world
दैवःdaivaḥthe divine
आसुरःāsuraḥthe demonic
एव चeva caand also
दैवःdaivaḥthe divine
विस्तरशःvistaraśaḥin detail
प्रोक्तःproktaḥhas been described
आसुरम्āsuramthe demonic
पार्थpārthaO Partha
मे शृणुme śṛṇuhear from me

Explanation

There are two kinds of beings created in this world, the divine and the demonic. The divine has been described in detail; now hear from me, O Partha, about the demonic. Krishna turns from the qualities that free to a fuller portrait of the qualities that bind, so that Arjuna can recognise and avoid them.

This verse marks the transition to the long description of the demonic mindset in 16.7–20. Shankara notes that the divine nature was already described not only in 16.1–3 but throughout the Gita, for example in the sthita-prajña of chapter 2 and the devotee of chapter 12, so it needs no further elaboration. The demonic is described so that it may be given up. Ramanuja links the two types to those who follow the divine command and those who reject it.

भावार्थ

हे पार्थ, इस संसार में दो प्रकार के प्राणी हैं — दैवी स्वभाव वाले और आसुरी स्वभाव वाले। दैवी स्वभाव का वर्णन विस्तार से हो चुका है; अब मुझसे आसुरी स्वभाव के बारे में सुनो।

Living it today

Knowing what to avoid is as useful as knowing what to aim for. Study your weaknesses honestly, without shame, so they lose their hidden power.

Frequently asked questions

What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 16.6?

There are two kinds of beings created in this world, the divine and the demonic. The divine has been described in detail; now hear from me, O Partha, about the demonic. Krishna turns from the qualities that free to a fuller portrait of the qualities that bind, so that Arjuna can recognise and avoid them.

Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 16.6?

Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 16 (Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.

How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 16.6 in daily life?

Knowing what to avoid is as useful as knowing what to aim for. Study your weaknesses honestly, without shame, so they lose their hidden power.

Reflected on verse 16.6?

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