Evil Quotes from Bhagavad Gita
What if good always won? Find game-changing evil-conquering quotes from the Bhagavad Gita you never knew.
%20(2).webp)
The Bhagavad Gita speaks deeply about the nature of evil, darkness, and destructive forces that plague humanity. Through Lord Krishna's teachings to Arjuna, we discover profound insights about what creates evil in the human heart and how it manifests in our world. These quotes reveal the spiritual understanding of evil - not as some external force, but as qualities that arise from ignorance, ego, and disconnection from our true nature.
In this comprehensive exploration, we'll examine key verses from the Bhagavad Gita that address evil, demonic qualities, and the path of darkness. Each quote offers wisdom about recognizing these destructive patterns within ourselves and society. Lord Krishna doesn't just identify evil - He shows us its roots, its consequences, and most importantly, how to transcend it.
Let's dive into these powerful teachings that illuminate the darkest corners of human nature and consciousness.
"Pride, arrogance, conceit, anger, harshness, and ignorance - these qualities belong to those of demonic nature, O Partha." - Lord Krishna
Full Verse in Sanskrit:
दम्भो दर्पोऽभिमानश्च क्रोधः पारुष्यमेव च।अज्ञानं चाभिजातस्य पार्थ सम्पदमासुरीम्॥
English Translation:
Pride, arrogance, conceit, anger, harshness, and ignorance - these qualities belong to those of demonic nature, O Partha.
This quote from Chapter 16, Verse 4 presents a clear blueprint of evil qualities. Lord Krishna doesn't describe evil as some mystical force - He breaks it down into specific human traits we can recognize.
Evil begins with pride - that false sense of superiority that makes us believe we're better than others. It's the root that feeds all other demonic qualities.
From pride springs arrogance, where we not only feel superior but act on it. We dismiss others' perspectives. We refuse to learn. We become closed systems, impervious to growth or correction. This arrogance then crystallizes into conceit - a hardened shell of self-importance that blinds us to reality.
Anger follows naturally. When the world doesn't conform to our inflated self-image, rage erupts. This isn't righteous anger against injustice - it's the fury of ego when challenged.
The most revealing aspect is how Lord Krishna includes ignorance as a demonic quality.
This isn't mere lack of knowledge. It's willful blindness - choosing darkness over light. When we refuse to see truth, when we cling to our delusions despite evidence, we cultivate evil within ourselves. Ignorance here means rejecting wisdom, denying our interconnectedness, and living in separation from divine consciousness.
Harshness completes the picture - the cruel words and actions that flow from a heart poisoned by these qualities. It's how internal evil manifests externally, causing suffering to others.
"Those of demonic nature do not know what to do and what not to do. Neither cleanliness nor proper behavior nor truth is found in them." - Lord Krishna
Full Verse in Sanskrit:
प्रवृत्तिं च निवृत्तिं च जना न विदुरासुराः।न शौचं नापि चाचारो न सत्यं तेषु विद्यते॥
English Translation:
Those of demonic nature do not know what to do and what not to do. Neither cleanliness nor proper behavior nor truth is found in them.
In Chapter 16, Verse 7, Lord Krishna reveals how evil corrupts our basic sense of right and wrong.
The quote points to a fundamental confusion - not knowing what to do and what not to do. This isn't about complex ethical dilemmas. It's about losing touch with basic human decency.
When evil takes root, it scrambles our internal guidance system. What should be obvious - don't hurt others, speak truth, act with integrity - becomes clouded. The demonic nature inverts values. Wrong appears right. Cruelty seems justified. Lies feel like truth.
This moral blindness isn't accidental. It's the natural consequence of feeding ego and desire without restraint. When we prioritize our wants above everything else, we lose the ability to discern.
Lord Krishna specifically mentions that truth is absent in those of demonic nature.
This goes beyond telling lies. It's about living in fundamental dishonesty with ourselves and existence. When we deny our spiritual nature, when we pretend we're separate from others, when we ignore the law of karma - we live in untruth. This untruth becomes the breeding ground for all evil actions.
The absence of cleanliness isn't just physical. It represents the impurity of mind and heart that comes from harboring negative qualities. Proper behavior vanishes because there's no inner compass guiding actions.
"They say that this world is unreal, without foundation, without God, brought about by mutual union, with lust for its cause; what else?" - Lord Krishna
Full Verse in Sanskrit:
असत्यमप्रतिष्ठं ते जगदाहुरनीश्वरम्।अपरस्परसम्भूतं किमन्यत्कामहैतुकम्॥
English Translation:
They say that this world is unreal, without foundation, without God, brought about by mutual union, with lust for its cause; what else?
This profound quote from Chapter 16, Verse 8 exposes the philosophical foundation of evil.
Those of demonic nature reject the very fabric of existence. They claim the world has no foundation, no divine order, no higher purpose.
This isn't philosophical skepticism - it's a willful rejection of meaning itself. When we deny divine order, we give ourselves permission for any action. If nothing matters, if there's no cosmic law, then power becomes the only truth. Might makes right. Exploitation seems natural.
By saying the world is "without God," they cut themselves off from the source of all goodness. This isn't about religious belief - it's about denying the sacred dimension of existence. When nothing is sacred, everything becomes exploitable.
Lord Krishna reveals that those of evil nature see lust as the cause of creation.
They reduce existence to mere biological urges and material desires. Love becomes lust. Purpose becomes pleasure. Service becomes selfishness. This reductionist view strips life of its deeper dimensions.
When lust - uncontrolled desire - is seen as the prime mover, it justifies endless craving. More money, more power, more pleasure. Nothing satisfies because the premise itself is flawed. We're trying to fill a spiritual void with material things.
"Following such views, these lost souls of small intellect and fierce deeds, rise as enemies of the world for its destruction." - Lord Krishna
Full Verse in Sanskrit:
एतां दृष्टिमवष्टभ्य नष्टात्मानोऽल्पबुद्धयः।प्रभवन्त्युग्रकर्माणः क्षयाय जगतोऽहिताः॥
English Translation:
Following such views, these lost souls of small intellect and fierce deeds, rise as enemies of the world for its destruction.
In Chapter 16, Verse 9, Lord Krishna shows how individual evil becomes collective destruction.
The quote describes those who've lost their souls - not in a supernatural sense, but by disconnecting from their true nature.
When we embrace demonic qualities, we don't just harm ourselves. We become active agents of destruction. Our actions ripple outward, creating suffering, injustice, and chaos. The "small intellect" isn't about intelligence - it's about vision limited to selfish gains, unable to see the interconnected whole.
These aren't passive participants in evil. They rise up, actively working against the welfare of the world. Their fierce deeds - driven by ego, greed, and hatred - tear at the fabric of society.
Lord Krishna reveals that such people work for the world's destruction.
This isn't always obvious violence. It's the businessman who pollutes rivers for profit. It's the politician who divides people for power. It's anyone who chooses personal gain over collective welfare. They may not intend global destruction, but their actions lead there.
Evil can't create - it can only corrupt and destroy. When we're disconnected from divine consciousness, we lose the ability to nurture and build. We become forces of entropy, breaking down the good that others create.
"Filled with insatiable desires, full of hypocrisy, pride and arrogance, holding evil ideas through delusion, they work with impure resolves." - Lord Krishna
Full Verse in Sanskrit:
काममाश्रित्य दुष्पूरं दम्भमानमदान्विताः।मोहाद्गृहीत्वासद्ग्राहान्प्रवर्तन्तेऽशुचिव्रताः॥
English Translation:
Filled with insatiable desires, full of hypocrisy, pride and arrogance, holding evil ideas through delusion, they work with impure resolves.
This powerful verse from Chapter 16, Verse 10 reveals the inner workings of an evil mind.
The quote begins with "insatiable desires" - wants that can never be satisfied.
This is the trap of evil consciousness. No amount of wealth feels like enough. No degree of power satisfies. No pleasure truly fulfills. The more we feed these desires, the hungrier they become. It's like drinking salt water to quench thirst.
These endless desires drive people to extreme actions. When nothing satisfies, we push boundaries further. We take more risks, cause more harm, justify worse actions. The desire itself becomes our master, and we become its slave.
Lord Krishna links evil with hypocrisy - presenting a false face to the world.
Those consumed by demonic qualities rarely advertise their true nature. They wear masks of righteousness while harboring darkness within. They speak of values they don't follow. They project virtues they don't possess.
This hypocrisy isn't just deception of others - it's self-deception too. To live with evil actions, we must lie to ourselves. We create elaborate justifications. We blame others. We deny consequences. The impure resolves mentioned in the quote stem from this fundamental dishonesty.
"They are beset with immense cares lasting till death, regarding gratification of lust as their highest aim, convinced that this is all." - Lord Krishna
Full Verse in Sanskrit:
चिन्तामपरिमेयां च प्रलयान्तामुपाश्रिताः।कामोपभोगपरमा एतावदिति निश्चिताः॥
English Translation:
They are beset with immense cares lasting till death, regarding gratification of lust as their highest aim, convinced that this is all.
In Chapter 16, Verse 11, Lord Krishna exposes the deep anxiety that plagues those who choose evil.
Despite their outward show of power, those of demonic nature live in constant fear.
The "immense cares" aren't normal concerns - they're the grinding anxiety of protecting ill-gotten gains, maintaining false images, and fearing consequences. When we build our lives on evil foundations, we live in perpetual insecurity. Every day brings new threats to our position.
These worries last "till death" because they can never be resolved. There's no peace in evil. No amount of success calms the fear. No achievement brings lasting satisfaction. The mind remains turbulent, always plotting, always worried, always grasping.
The quote reveals their tragic worldview - gratification of lust is their highest aim.
They've reduced human existence to mere pleasure-seeking. All the profound possibilities of life - love, service, realization, transcendence - are ignored. They're convinced "this is all" - that material enjoyment is the sum total of existence.
This isn't about enjoying life's pleasures. It's about making pleasure the sole purpose, the highest goal. When sensual gratification becomes our religion, we lose access to deeper fulfillment. We become trapped in cycles of desire and disappointment.
"Bound by hundreds of chains of hope, given over to lust and anger, they strive to obtain wealth by unlawful means for the gratification of desires." - Lord Krishna
Full Verse in Sanskrit:
आशापाशशतैर्बद्धाः कामक्रोधपरायणाः।ईहन्ते कामभोगार्थमन्यायेनार्थसञ्चयान्॥
English Translation:
Bound by hundreds of chains of hope, given over to lust and anger, they strive to obtain wealth by unlawful means for the gratification of desires.
This verse from Chapter 16, Verse 12 reveals how evil creates its own prison.
The "chains of hope" seem paradoxical - isn't hope positive?
But these aren't hopes for spiritual growth or service. They're endless fantasies of future pleasures, future conquests, future acquisitions. Each hope becomes a chain because it binds us to more desires. We live in tomorrow's imagined pleasures, never present, never satisfied.
Hundreds of these chains wrap around the mind. Hope for more money leads to hope for more power. Hope for revenge creates hope for domination. Each fulfilled hope births ten more. We become prisoners of our own expectations.
Lord Krishna specifically mentions obtaining wealth through unlawful means.
When lust and anger rule our actions, we lose patience with righteous paths. Legal means seem too slow. Ethical constraints feel like obstacles. The urgency of desire demands shortcuts, and we justify any means to reach our ends.
This isn't just about breaking human laws. It's about violating dharma - the cosmic law of righteous action. When we pursue wealth through harm, deception, or exploitation, we accumulate not just money but karma. The very wealth we seek becomes contaminated by how we obtain it.
"The evil person thinks: 'I have gained this today; I shall fulfill this desire; this is mine, and this wealth also shall be mine. I have slain this enemy, and I shall slay others too. I am the lord; I am the enjoyer; I am successful, powerful, and happy.'" - Lord Krishna
Full Verse in Sanskrit:
इदमद्य मया लब्धमिमं प्राप्स्ये मनोरथम्।इदमस्तीदमपि मे भविष्यति पुनर्धनम्॥असौ मया हतः शत्रुर्हनिष्ये चापरानपि।ईश्वरोऽहमहं भोगी सिद्धोऽहं बलवान्सुखी॥
English Translation:
The evil person thinks: 'I have gained this today; I shall fulfill this desire; this is mine, and this wealth also shall be mine. I have slain this enemy, and I shall slay others too. I am the lord; I am the enjoyer; I am successful, powerful, and happy.'
These verses from Chapter 16, Verses 13-15 provide a window into the evil mind's self-talk.
Lord Krishna reveals the constant mental accounting of those consumed by greed.
"I have gained this today" - they measure life in acquisitions. Every day is evaluated by what was taken, what was accumulated. There's no gratitude, only calculation. The present gain immediately triggers plans for future gains. It's an endless treadmill of wanting.
The declaration "this is mine" shows the delusion of ownership. They believe they truly possess what they've gathered, not seeing how death will separate them from everything. The possessiveness extends infinitely - what they have is never enough.
"I am the lord" - this is the ultimate delusion of evil.
When ego inflates beyond bounds, humans begin to see themselves as gods. Not in the spiritual sense of recognizing divinity within, but in the demonic sense of believing they control everything. They feel above law, above consequence, above others.
This god-complex justifies any action. If I am lord, who can judge me? If I am the enjoyer, everything exists for my pleasure. The claims of being successful, powerful, and happy are desperate affirmations. Deep down, they know the emptiness of their achievements.
"'I am rich and born in a noble family. Who else is equal to me? I shall perform sacrifices, I shall give charity, I shall rejoice.' Thus they are deluded by ignorance." - Lord Krishna
Full Verse in Sanskrit:
आढ्योऽभिजनवानस्मि कोऽन्योऽस्ति सदृशो मया।यक्ष्ये दास्यामि मोदिष्य इत्यज्ञानविमोहिताः॥
English Translation:
'I am rich and born in a noble family. Who else is equal to me? I shall perform sacrifices, I shall give charity, I shall rejoice.' Thus they are deluded by ignorance.
In Chapter 16, Verse 16, Lord Krishna exposes how evil corrupts even good actions.
The quote begins with pride in external circumstances - wealth and family.
These become evil when they create superiority complexes. "Who else is equal to me?" reveals the core problem - seeing others as inferior. Birth and wealth are circumstances, not achievements. Taking pride in them shows spiritual blindness.
This pride poisons relationships. When we believe we're inherently superior due to birth or bank balance, we can't connect authentically with others. We see people as lesser beings to be used or dismissed. The question "Who else is equal to me?" expects no answer - it's rhetorical arrogance.
Most revealing is how they corrupt spiritual practices.
"I shall perform sacrifices, I shall give charity" - even these noble acts become ego food. The charity isn't about helping others - it's about displaying wealth. The sacrifices aren't for spiritual growth - they're for showing religiosity.
When evil consciousness performs good deeds, it transforms them into ego exercises. The rejoicing mentioned isn't joy of service - it's self-congratulation. Every act, however outwardly noble, feeds the demonic pride. This is ignorance at its deepest - turning medicine into poison.
"Self-conceited, stubborn, filled with the intoxication of wealth and pride, they perform sacrifices in name only, out of ostentation, disregarding scriptural rules." - Lord Krishna
Full Verse in Sanskrit:
आत्मसम्भाविताः स्तब्धा धनमानमदान्विताः।यजन्ते नामयज्ञैस्ते दम्भेनाविधिपूर्वकम्॥
English Translation:
Self-conceited, stubborn, filled with the intoxication of wealth and pride, they perform sacrifices in name only, out of ostentation, disregarding scriptural rules.
This verse from Chapter 16, Verse 17 reveals how evil perverts spiritual practices.
The quote describes sacrifices "in name only" - empty rituals without essence.
When performed with ego and ostentation, spiritual practices lose their transformative power. They become performances, not practices. The doer seeks applause, not awakening. They want to be seen as spiritual, not to become spiritual.
Disregarding scriptural rules isn't about breaking traditions - it's about ignoring the wisdom behind practices. Rules exist to purify mind and ego. When we skip them for convenience or modify them for show, we miss the point entirely.
Lord Krishna mentions they are "stubborn" - unable to learn or change.
This spiritual stubbornness is evil's defense mechanism. When truth threatens ego, stubbornness blocks it out. They can't accept teaching because they believe they know everything. They can't follow guidance because they see themselves as guides.
The intoxication of wealth and pride creates a drugged state. Like someone drunk, they can't see clearly or walk straight. But unlike alcohol, this intoxication doesn't wear off easily. It requires spiritual shock to break through.
"Given over to egoism, power, arrogance, lust and anger, these malicious people hate Me dwelling in their own bodies and in those of others." - Lord Krishna
Full Verse in Sanskrit:
अहंकारं बलं दर्पं कामं क्रोधं च संश्रिताः।मामात्मपरदेहेषु प्रद्विषन्तोऽभ्यसूयकाः॥
English Translation:
Given over to egoism, power, arrogance, lust and anger, these malicious people hate Me dwelling in their own bodies and in those of others.
In Chapter 16, Verse 18, Lord Krishna reveals the ultimate tragedy of evil.
The most shocking revelation - they hate God dwelling within themselves and others.
This isn't atheism or doubt. It's active hatred of divinity itself. When ego grows monstrous, it can't tolerate anything greater than itself. The divine presence within becomes a threat to ego's supremacy. So they deny it, fight it, try to extinguish it.
Hating divinity in others manifests as cruelty. When we can't see the sacred in another person, we can justify any harm. They become objects, obstacles, enemies - never fellow souls on the journey.
Lord Krishna lists egoism first among the poisons.
Ahamkara - the false ego - is evil's foundation. It creates the illusion of separation. From this separation comes the need for power over others. From power comes arrogance. From arrogance comes the justification for lust and anger.
These five qualities form an unholy alliance. Each strengthens the others. Ego seeks power. Power breeds arrogance. Arrogance justifies lust. Frustrated lust creates anger. Anger feeds back into ego. It's a vicious cycle that spirals into deeper darkness.
"These cruel haters, worst among men in the world, I hurl these evil-doers forever into the wombs of demons only." - Lord Krishna
Full Verse in Sanskrit:
तानहं द्विषतः क्रूरान्संसारेषु नराधमान्।क्षिपाम्यजस्रमशुभानासुरीष्वेव योनिषु॥
English Translation:
These cruel haters, worst among men in the world, I hurl these evil-doers forever into the wombs of demons only.
This powerful verse from Chapter 16, Verse 19 describes the karmic justice for evil.
Lord Krishna isn't describing eternal damnation but karmic consequence.
Being born into "demonic wombs" means reincarnating in conditions that reflect and reinforce evil tendencies. It's not punishment but natural law - like attracts like. Those who cultivate demonic qualities create the karma for demonic circumstances.
This isn't about God's wrath. It's about how consciousness creates reality. When we fill our minds with hatred, cruelty, and evil, we magnetize similar energies. We draw ourselves to environments where these qualities dominate.
The designation "worst among men" isn't mere condemnation.
It's recognition that humans have the highest potential for good - and therefore the deepest fall when choosing evil. Animals act from instinct. Humans choose consciously. When we choose evil despite knowing better, we betray our very nature.
The term "cruel haters" captures the essence - they've made cruelty their practice and hatred their religion. This isn't momentary anger or occasional selfishness. It's systematic cultivation of destructive qualities until they define one's being.
"Triple is the gate to hell, destructive of the self - lust, anger, and greed. Therefore, one should abandon these three." - Lord Krishna
Full Verse in Sanskrit:
त्रिविधं नरकस्येदं द्वारं नाशनमात्मनः।कामः क्रोधस्तथा लोभस्तस्मादेतत्त्रयं त्यजेत्॥
English Translation:
Triple is the gate to hell, destructive of the self - lust, anger, and greed. Therefore, one should abandon these three.
Chapter 16, Verse 21 provides the essential summary of what creates evil and suffering.
Lord Krishna identifies the triple gateway with surgical precision.
Lust (kama) is uncontrolled desire - the endless wanting that can never be satisfied. It makes us slaves to our senses, always chasing the next pleasure. Anger (krodha) arises when desires are blocked. It clouds judgment and leads to destructive actions. Greed (lobha) is the hoarding instinct - wanting more than our share, taking from others.
These aren't just bad habits. They're doorways to hellish states of consciousness. Each one pulls us deeper into suffering. They destroy the self by covering our true nature with layer after layer of negativity.
Together, these three form a complete system of bondage.
Lust drives us toward objects of desire. Greed makes us grasp and hoard. Anger explodes when we can't get what we want or when we lose what we have. One feeds the other in endless cycles. They're called destructive of the self because they erode our peace, wisdom, and connection to the divine.
Lord Krishna's instruction is clear - abandon these three. Not suppress or control, but abandon. This requires understanding their nature, seeing their futility, and choosing a higher path.
"Whenever there is a decline of righteousness and rise of evil, O Bharata, then I manifest Myself." - Lord Krishna
Full Verse in Sanskrit:
यदा यदा हि धर्मस्य ग्लानिर्भवति भारत।अभ्युत्थानमधर्मस्य तदात्मानं सृजाम्यहम्॥
English Translation:
Whenever there is a decline of righteousness and rise of evil, O Bharata, then I manifest Myself.
This famous verse from Chapter 4, Verse 7 offers hope in the face of evil.
Lord Krishna reveals a cosmic law - when evil rises beyond a point, divinity responds.
This isn't about a deity sitting in judgment. It's about the self-correcting nature of existence. When darkness grows too dense, light must pierce through. When evil threatens to overwhelm good, the universe itself responds through divine manifestation.
The decline of dharma (righteousness) and rise of adharma (evil) aren't just moral issues. They threaten the very fabric of existence. When truth is forgotten, when justice fails, when compassion disappears - that's when intervention becomes necessary.
This promise offers profound comfort and responsibility.
We're not alone in facing evil. When darkness seems overwhelming, when evil appears victorious, divine forces are already mobilizing. History shows this pattern - in humanity's darkest hours, great souls arise to restore balance.
But we can't be passive. The divine manifests through human instruments. When we stand against evil, when we choose righteousness despite difficulty, we become channels for this divine intervention. We participate in the cosmic restoration of dharma.
After exploring these profound verses about evil from the Bhagavad Gita, several essential insights emerge for our spiritual journey:
The Bhagavad Gita's treatment of evil serves not to frighten but to enlighten. By understanding what creates suffering and bondage, we can consciously choose the path of light, truth, and liberation.
The Bhagavad Gita speaks deeply about the nature of evil, darkness, and destructive forces that plague humanity. Through Lord Krishna's teachings to Arjuna, we discover profound insights about what creates evil in the human heart and how it manifests in our world. These quotes reveal the spiritual understanding of evil - not as some external force, but as qualities that arise from ignorance, ego, and disconnection from our true nature.
In this comprehensive exploration, we'll examine key verses from the Bhagavad Gita that address evil, demonic qualities, and the path of darkness. Each quote offers wisdom about recognizing these destructive patterns within ourselves and society. Lord Krishna doesn't just identify evil - He shows us its roots, its consequences, and most importantly, how to transcend it.
Let's dive into these powerful teachings that illuminate the darkest corners of human nature and consciousness.
"Pride, arrogance, conceit, anger, harshness, and ignorance - these qualities belong to those of demonic nature, O Partha." - Lord Krishna
Full Verse in Sanskrit:
दम्भो दर्पोऽभिमानश्च क्रोधः पारुष्यमेव च।अज्ञानं चाभिजातस्य पार्थ सम्पदमासुरीम्॥
English Translation:
Pride, arrogance, conceit, anger, harshness, and ignorance - these qualities belong to those of demonic nature, O Partha.
This quote from Chapter 16, Verse 4 presents a clear blueprint of evil qualities. Lord Krishna doesn't describe evil as some mystical force - He breaks it down into specific human traits we can recognize.
Evil begins with pride - that false sense of superiority that makes us believe we're better than others. It's the root that feeds all other demonic qualities.
From pride springs arrogance, where we not only feel superior but act on it. We dismiss others' perspectives. We refuse to learn. We become closed systems, impervious to growth or correction. This arrogance then crystallizes into conceit - a hardened shell of self-importance that blinds us to reality.
Anger follows naturally. When the world doesn't conform to our inflated self-image, rage erupts. This isn't righteous anger against injustice - it's the fury of ego when challenged.
The most revealing aspect is how Lord Krishna includes ignorance as a demonic quality.
This isn't mere lack of knowledge. It's willful blindness - choosing darkness over light. When we refuse to see truth, when we cling to our delusions despite evidence, we cultivate evil within ourselves. Ignorance here means rejecting wisdom, denying our interconnectedness, and living in separation from divine consciousness.
Harshness completes the picture - the cruel words and actions that flow from a heart poisoned by these qualities. It's how internal evil manifests externally, causing suffering to others.
"Those of demonic nature do not know what to do and what not to do. Neither cleanliness nor proper behavior nor truth is found in them." - Lord Krishna
Full Verse in Sanskrit:
प्रवृत्तिं च निवृत्तिं च जना न विदुरासुराः।न शौचं नापि चाचारो न सत्यं तेषु विद्यते॥
English Translation:
Those of demonic nature do not know what to do and what not to do. Neither cleanliness nor proper behavior nor truth is found in them.
In Chapter 16, Verse 7, Lord Krishna reveals how evil corrupts our basic sense of right and wrong.
The quote points to a fundamental confusion - not knowing what to do and what not to do. This isn't about complex ethical dilemmas. It's about losing touch with basic human decency.
When evil takes root, it scrambles our internal guidance system. What should be obvious - don't hurt others, speak truth, act with integrity - becomes clouded. The demonic nature inverts values. Wrong appears right. Cruelty seems justified. Lies feel like truth.
This moral blindness isn't accidental. It's the natural consequence of feeding ego and desire without restraint. When we prioritize our wants above everything else, we lose the ability to discern.
Lord Krishna specifically mentions that truth is absent in those of demonic nature.
This goes beyond telling lies. It's about living in fundamental dishonesty with ourselves and existence. When we deny our spiritual nature, when we pretend we're separate from others, when we ignore the law of karma - we live in untruth. This untruth becomes the breeding ground for all evil actions.
The absence of cleanliness isn't just physical. It represents the impurity of mind and heart that comes from harboring negative qualities. Proper behavior vanishes because there's no inner compass guiding actions.
"They say that this world is unreal, without foundation, without God, brought about by mutual union, with lust for its cause; what else?" - Lord Krishna
Full Verse in Sanskrit:
असत्यमप्रतिष्ठं ते जगदाहुरनीश्वरम्।अपरस्परसम्भूतं किमन्यत्कामहैतुकम्॥
English Translation:
They say that this world is unreal, without foundation, without God, brought about by mutual union, with lust for its cause; what else?
This profound quote from Chapter 16, Verse 8 exposes the philosophical foundation of evil.
Those of demonic nature reject the very fabric of existence. They claim the world has no foundation, no divine order, no higher purpose.
This isn't philosophical skepticism - it's a willful rejection of meaning itself. When we deny divine order, we give ourselves permission for any action. If nothing matters, if there's no cosmic law, then power becomes the only truth. Might makes right. Exploitation seems natural.
By saying the world is "without God," they cut themselves off from the source of all goodness. This isn't about religious belief - it's about denying the sacred dimension of existence. When nothing is sacred, everything becomes exploitable.
Lord Krishna reveals that those of evil nature see lust as the cause of creation.
They reduce existence to mere biological urges and material desires. Love becomes lust. Purpose becomes pleasure. Service becomes selfishness. This reductionist view strips life of its deeper dimensions.
When lust - uncontrolled desire - is seen as the prime mover, it justifies endless craving. More money, more power, more pleasure. Nothing satisfies because the premise itself is flawed. We're trying to fill a spiritual void with material things.
"Following such views, these lost souls of small intellect and fierce deeds, rise as enemies of the world for its destruction." - Lord Krishna
Full Verse in Sanskrit:
एतां दृष्टिमवष्टभ्य नष्टात्मानोऽल्पबुद्धयः।प्रभवन्त्युग्रकर्माणः क्षयाय जगतोऽहिताः॥
English Translation:
Following such views, these lost souls of small intellect and fierce deeds, rise as enemies of the world for its destruction.
In Chapter 16, Verse 9, Lord Krishna shows how individual evil becomes collective destruction.
The quote describes those who've lost their souls - not in a supernatural sense, but by disconnecting from their true nature.
When we embrace demonic qualities, we don't just harm ourselves. We become active agents of destruction. Our actions ripple outward, creating suffering, injustice, and chaos. The "small intellect" isn't about intelligence - it's about vision limited to selfish gains, unable to see the interconnected whole.
These aren't passive participants in evil. They rise up, actively working against the welfare of the world. Their fierce deeds - driven by ego, greed, and hatred - tear at the fabric of society.
Lord Krishna reveals that such people work for the world's destruction.
This isn't always obvious violence. It's the businessman who pollutes rivers for profit. It's the politician who divides people for power. It's anyone who chooses personal gain over collective welfare. They may not intend global destruction, but their actions lead there.
Evil can't create - it can only corrupt and destroy. When we're disconnected from divine consciousness, we lose the ability to nurture and build. We become forces of entropy, breaking down the good that others create.
"Filled with insatiable desires, full of hypocrisy, pride and arrogance, holding evil ideas through delusion, they work with impure resolves." - Lord Krishna
Full Verse in Sanskrit:
काममाश्रित्य दुष्पूरं दम्भमानमदान्विताः।मोहाद्गृहीत्वासद्ग्राहान्प्रवर्तन्तेऽशुचिव्रताः॥
English Translation:
Filled with insatiable desires, full of hypocrisy, pride and arrogance, holding evil ideas through delusion, they work with impure resolves.
This powerful verse from Chapter 16, Verse 10 reveals the inner workings of an evil mind.
The quote begins with "insatiable desires" - wants that can never be satisfied.
This is the trap of evil consciousness. No amount of wealth feels like enough. No degree of power satisfies. No pleasure truly fulfills. The more we feed these desires, the hungrier they become. It's like drinking salt water to quench thirst.
These endless desires drive people to extreme actions. When nothing satisfies, we push boundaries further. We take more risks, cause more harm, justify worse actions. The desire itself becomes our master, and we become its slave.
Lord Krishna links evil with hypocrisy - presenting a false face to the world.
Those consumed by demonic qualities rarely advertise their true nature. They wear masks of righteousness while harboring darkness within. They speak of values they don't follow. They project virtues they don't possess.
This hypocrisy isn't just deception of others - it's self-deception too. To live with evil actions, we must lie to ourselves. We create elaborate justifications. We blame others. We deny consequences. The impure resolves mentioned in the quote stem from this fundamental dishonesty.
"They are beset with immense cares lasting till death, regarding gratification of lust as their highest aim, convinced that this is all." - Lord Krishna
Full Verse in Sanskrit:
चिन्तामपरिमेयां च प्रलयान्तामुपाश्रिताः।कामोपभोगपरमा एतावदिति निश्चिताः॥
English Translation:
They are beset with immense cares lasting till death, regarding gratification of lust as their highest aim, convinced that this is all.
In Chapter 16, Verse 11, Lord Krishna exposes the deep anxiety that plagues those who choose evil.
Despite their outward show of power, those of demonic nature live in constant fear.
The "immense cares" aren't normal concerns - they're the grinding anxiety of protecting ill-gotten gains, maintaining false images, and fearing consequences. When we build our lives on evil foundations, we live in perpetual insecurity. Every day brings new threats to our position.
These worries last "till death" because they can never be resolved. There's no peace in evil. No amount of success calms the fear. No achievement brings lasting satisfaction. The mind remains turbulent, always plotting, always worried, always grasping.
The quote reveals their tragic worldview - gratification of lust is their highest aim.
They've reduced human existence to mere pleasure-seeking. All the profound possibilities of life - love, service, realization, transcendence - are ignored. They're convinced "this is all" - that material enjoyment is the sum total of existence.
This isn't about enjoying life's pleasures. It's about making pleasure the sole purpose, the highest goal. When sensual gratification becomes our religion, we lose access to deeper fulfillment. We become trapped in cycles of desire and disappointment.
"Bound by hundreds of chains of hope, given over to lust and anger, they strive to obtain wealth by unlawful means for the gratification of desires." - Lord Krishna
Full Verse in Sanskrit:
आशापाशशतैर्बद्धाः कामक्रोधपरायणाः।ईहन्ते कामभोगार्थमन्यायेनार्थसञ्चयान्॥
English Translation:
Bound by hundreds of chains of hope, given over to lust and anger, they strive to obtain wealth by unlawful means for the gratification of desires.
This verse from Chapter 16, Verse 12 reveals how evil creates its own prison.
The "chains of hope" seem paradoxical - isn't hope positive?
But these aren't hopes for spiritual growth or service. They're endless fantasies of future pleasures, future conquests, future acquisitions. Each hope becomes a chain because it binds us to more desires. We live in tomorrow's imagined pleasures, never present, never satisfied.
Hundreds of these chains wrap around the mind. Hope for more money leads to hope for more power. Hope for revenge creates hope for domination. Each fulfilled hope births ten more. We become prisoners of our own expectations.
Lord Krishna specifically mentions obtaining wealth through unlawful means.
When lust and anger rule our actions, we lose patience with righteous paths. Legal means seem too slow. Ethical constraints feel like obstacles. The urgency of desire demands shortcuts, and we justify any means to reach our ends.
This isn't just about breaking human laws. It's about violating dharma - the cosmic law of righteous action. When we pursue wealth through harm, deception, or exploitation, we accumulate not just money but karma. The very wealth we seek becomes contaminated by how we obtain it.
"The evil person thinks: 'I have gained this today; I shall fulfill this desire; this is mine, and this wealth also shall be mine. I have slain this enemy, and I shall slay others too. I am the lord; I am the enjoyer; I am successful, powerful, and happy.'" - Lord Krishna
Full Verse in Sanskrit:
इदमद्य मया लब्धमिमं प्राप्स्ये मनोरथम्।इदमस्तीदमपि मे भविष्यति पुनर्धनम्॥असौ मया हतः शत्रुर्हनिष्ये चापरानपि।ईश्वरोऽहमहं भोगी सिद्धोऽहं बलवान्सुखी॥
English Translation:
The evil person thinks: 'I have gained this today; I shall fulfill this desire; this is mine, and this wealth also shall be mine. I have slain this enemy, and I shall slay others too. I am the lord; I am the enjoyer; I am successful, powerful, and happy.'
These verses from Chapter 16, Verses 13-15 provide a window into the evil mind's self-talk.
Lord Krishna reveals the constant mental accounting of those consumed by greed.
"I have gained this today" - they measure life in acquisitions. Every day is evaluated by what was taken, what was accumulated. There's no gratitude, only calculation. The present gain immediately triggers plans for future gains. It's an endless treadmill of wanting.
The declaration "this is mine" shows the delusion of ownership. They believe they truly possess what they've gathered, not seeing how death will separate them from everything. The possessiveness extends infinitely - what they have is never enough.
"I am the lord" - this is the ultimate delusion of evil.
When ego inflates beyond bounds, humans begin to see themselves as gods. Not in the spiritual sense of recognizing divinity within, but in the demonic sense of believing they control everything. They feel above law, above consequence, above others.
This god-complex justifies any action. If I am lord, who can judge me? If I am the enjoyer, everything exists for my pleasure. The claims of being successful, powerful, and happy are desperate affirmations. Deep down, they know the emptiness of their achievements.
"'I am rich and born in a noble family. Who else is equal to me? I shall perform sacrifices, I shall give charity, I shall rejoice.' Thus they are deluded by ignorance." - Lord Krishna
Full Verse in Sanskrit:
आढ्योऽभिजनवानस्मि कोऽन्योऽस्ति सदृशो मया।यक्ष्ये दास्यामि मोदिष्य इत्यज्ञानविमोहिताः॥
English Translation:
'I am rich and born in a noble family. Who else is equal to me? I shall perform sacrifices, I shall give charity, I shall rejoice.' Thus they are deluded by ignorance.
In Chapter 16, Verse 16, Lord Krishna exposes how evil corrupts even good actions.
The quote begins with pride in external circumstances - wealth and family.
These become evil when they create superiority complexes. "Who else is equal to me?" reveals the core problem - seeing others as inferior. Birth and wealth are circumstances, not achievements. Taking pride in them shows spiritual blindness.
This pride poisons relationships. When we believe we're inherently superior due to birth or bank balance, we can't connect authentically with others. We see people as lesser beings to be used or dismissed. The question "Who else is equal to me?" expects no answer - it's rhetorical arrogance.
Most revealing is how they corrupt spiritual practices.
"I shall perform sacrifices, I shall give charity" - even these noble acts become ego food. The charity isn't about helping others - it's about displaying wealth. The sacrifices aren't for spiritual growth - they're for showing religiosity.
When evil consciousness performs good deeds, it transforms them into ego exercises. The rejoicing mentioned isn't joy of service - it's self-congratulation. Every act, however outwardly noble, feeds the demonic pride. This is ignorance at its deepest - turning medicine into poison.
"Self-conceited, stubborn, filled with the intoxication of wealth and pride, they perform sacrifices in name only, out of ostentation, disregarding scriptural rules." - Lord Krishna
Full Verse in Sanskrit:
आत्मसम्भाविताः स्तब्धा धनमानमदान्विताः।यजन्ते नामयज्ञैस्ते दम्भेनाविधिपूर्वकम्॥
English Translation:
Self-conceited, stubborn, filled with the intoxication of wealth and pride, they perform sacrifices in name only, out of ostentation, disregarding scriptural rules.
This verse from Chapter 16, Verse 17 reveals how evil perverts spiritual practices.
The quote describes sacrifices "in name only" - empty rituals without essence.
When performed with ego and ostentation, spiritual practices lose their transformative power. They become performances, not practices. The doer seeks applause, not awakening. They want to be seen as spiritual, not to become spiritual.
Disregarding scriptural rules isn't about breaking traditions - it's about ignoring the wisdom behind practices. Rules exist to purify mind and ego. When we skip them for convenience or modify them for show, we miss the point entirely.
Lord Krishna mentions they are "stubborn" - unable to learn or change.
This spiritual stubbornness is evil's defense mechanism. When truth threatens ego, stubbornness blocks it out. They can't accept teaching because they believe they know everything. They can't follow guidance because they see themselves as guides.
The intoxication of wealth and pride creates a drugged state. Like someone drunk, they can't see clearly or walk straight. But unlike alcohol, this intoxication doesn't wear off easily. It requires spiritual shock to break through.
"Given over to egoism, power, arrogance, lust and anger, these malicious people hate Me dwelling in their own bodies and in those of others." - Lord Krishna
Full Verse in Sanskrit:
अहंकारं बलं दर्पं कामं क्रोधं च संश्रिताः।मामात्मपरदेहेषु प्रद्विषन्तोऽभ्यसूयकाः॥
English Translation:
Given over to egoism, power, arrogance, lust and anger, these malicious people hate Me dwelling in their own bodies and in those of others.
In Chapter 16, Verse 18, Lord Krishna reveals the ultimate tragedy of evil.
The most shocking revelation - they hate God dwelling within themselves and others.
This isn't atheism or doubt. It's active hatred of divinity itself. When ego grows monstrous, it can't tolerate anything greater than itself. The divine presence within becomes a threat to ego's supremacy. So they deny it, fight it, try to extinguish it.
Hating divinity in others manifests as cruelty. When we can't see the sacred in another person, we can justify any harm. They become objects, obstacles, enemies - never fellow souls on the journey.
Lord Krishna lists egoism first among the poisons.
Ahamkara - the false ego - is evil's foundation. It creates the illusion of separation. From this separation comes the need for power over others. From power comes arrogance. From arrogance comes the justification for lust and anger.
These five qualities form an unholy alliance. Each strengthens the others. Ego seeks power. Power breeds arrogance. Arrogance justifies lust. Frustrated lust creates anger. Anger feeds back into ego. It's a vicious cycle that spirals into deeper darkness.
"These cruel haters, worst among men in the world, I hurl these evil-doers forever into the wombs of demons only." - Lord Krishna
Full Verse in Sanskrit:
तानहं द्विषतः क्रूरान्संसारेषु नराधमान्।क्षिपाम्यजस्रमशुभानासुरीष्वेव योनिषु॥
English Translation:
These cruel haters, worst among men in the world, I hurl these evil-doers forever into the wombs of demons only.
This powerful verse from Chapter 16, Verse 19 describes the karmic justice for evil.
Lord Krishna isn't describing eternal damnation but karmic consequence.
Being born into "demonic wombs" means reincarnating in conditions that reflect and reinforce evil tendencies. It's not punishment but natural law - like attracts like. Those who cultivate demonic qualities create the karma for demonic circumstances.
This isn't about God's wrath. It's about how consciousness creates reality. When we fill our minds with hatred, cruelty, and evil, we magnetize similar energies. We draw ourselves to environments where these qualities dominate.
The designation "worst among men" isn't mere condemnation.
It's recognition that humans have the highest potential for good - and therefore the deepest fall when choosing evil. Animals act from instinct. Humans choose consciously. When we choose evil despite knowing better, we betray our very nature.
The term "cruel haters" captures the essence - they've made cruelty their practice and hatred their religion. This isn't momentary anger or occasional selfishness. It's systematic cultivation of destructive qualities until they define one's being.
"Triple is the gate to hell, destructive of the self - lust, anger, and greed. Therefore, one should abandon these three." - Lord Krishna
Full Verse in Sanskrit:
त्रिविधं नरकस्येदं द्वारं नाशनमात्मनः।कामः क्रोधस्तथा लोभस्तस्मादेतत्त्रयं त्यजेत्॥
English Translation:
Triple is the gate to hell, destructive of the self - lust, anger, and greed. Therefore, one should abandon these three.
Chapter 16, Verse 21 provides the essential summary of what creates evil and suffering.
Lord Krishna identifies the triple gateway with surgical precision.
Lust (kama) is uncontrolled desire - the endless wanting that can never be satisfied. It makes us slaves to our senses, always chasing the next pleasure. Anger (krodha) arises when desires are blocked. It clouds judgment and leads to destructive actions. Greed (lobha) is the hoarding instinct - wanting more than our share, taking from others.
These aren't just bad habits. They're doorways to hellish states of consciousness. Each one pulls us deeper into suffering. They destroy the self by covering our true nature with layer after layer of negativity.
Together, these three form a complete system of bondage.
Lust drives us toward objects of desire. Greed makes us grasp and hoard. Anger explodes when we can't get what we want or when we lose what we have. One feeds the other in endless cycles. They're called destructive of the self because they erode our peace, wisdom, and connection to the divine.
Lord Krishna's instruction is clear - abandon these three. Not suppress or control, but abandon. This requires understanding their nature, seeing their futility, and choosing a higher path.
"Whenever there is a decline of righteousness and rise of evil, O Bharata, then I manifest Myself." - Lord Krishna
Full Verse in Sanskrit:
यदा यदा हि धर्मस्य ग्लानिर्भवति भारत।अभ्युत्थानमधर्मस्य तदात्मानं सृजाम्यहम्॥
English Translation:
Whenever there is a decline of righteousness and rise of evil, O Bharata, then I manifest Myself.
This famous verse from Chapter 4, Verse 7 offers hope in the face of evil.
Lord Krishna reveals a cosmic law - when evil rises beyond a point, divinity responds.
This isn't about a deity sitting in judgment. It's about the self-correcting nature of existence. When darkness grows too dense, light must pierce through. When evil threatens to overwhelm good, the universe itself responds through divine manifestation.
The decline of dharma (righteousness) and rise of adharma (evil) aren't just moral issues. They threaten the very fabric of existence. When truth is forgotten, when justice fails, when compassion disappears - that's when intervention becomes necessary.
This promise offers profound comfort and responsibility.
We're not alone in facing evil. When darkness seems overwhelming, when evil appears victorious, divine forces are already mobilizing. History shows this pattern - in humanity's darkest hours, great souls arise to restore balance.
But we can't be passive. The divine manifests through human instruments. When we stand against evil, when we choose righteousness despite difficulty, we become channels for this divine intervention. We participate in the cosmic restoration of dharma.
After exploring these profound verses about evil from the Bhagavad Gita, several essential insights emerge for our spiritual journey:
The Bhagavad Gita's treatment of evil serves not to frighten but to enlighten. By understanding what creates suffering and bondage, we can consciously choose the path of light, truth, and liberation.