16.5 - Bhagavad Gita - Chapter 16, Verse 5

Bhagavad Gita 16.5 presents a profound philosophical statement about the nature of human qualities and their consequences. The verse states: "The divine nature is deemed for liberation, the demoniacal for bondage; grieve not, O Pandava, you are born with divine qualities." In Sanskrit, this verse is expressed as "daivī sampadvimokṣāya nibandhāyāsurī matā; mā śucaḥ sampadaṃ daivīmabhijāto'si pāṇḍava."

In this verse, Lord Krishna makes a clear distinction between two fundamental natures that exist within all beings. The divine qualities (daivī sampad) lead one toward liberation (vimokṣāya) from the cycle of birth and death, while the demoniac qualities (āsurī) result in bondage (nibandhāya) to the material world. This distinction isn't merely theoretical but has profound implications for one's spiritual journey. Divine qualities create clarity and connection with dharma, helping us align with our higher spiritual nature, while demoniac qualities entangle us deeper in illusion and suffering.

What makes this verse particularly touching is Krishna's personal reassurance to Arjuna. Noticing Arjuna's inner anxiety about which nature he embodies, Krishna tells him, "Do not worry, O son of Pandu, for you are born with divine qualities." This reassurance comes at a crucial moment when Arjuna is questioning his own actions and intentions. Krishna recognizes that Arjuna's very questioning, his deep reflection on right and wrong, and his concern for dharma are themselves manifestations of his divine nature. This shows us that self-awareness and ethical questioning are hallmarks of a divine disposition.

The commentaries on this verse provide additional insights. Sri Sridhara Swami explains that when Krishna noticed Arjuna's inner concern—"Am I endowed with the demoniacal nature, or am I endowed with the divine nature?"—He immediately comforts him, saying essentially that Arjuna is "destined for an illustrious future" because of his divine tendencies. Another commentary points out that Arjuna's divine nature stems partly from his lineage, being "a son of Pandu who was most eminent among the righteous." This suggests that both our innate tendencies and our associations influence our spiritual character.

This verse serves as a transition in Chapter 16, where Krishna has listed the 26 divine qualities and now prepares to elaborate on the demoniac qualities in subsequent verses. It's worth noting that divine qualities have been discussed throughout the Gita—from the characteristics of the steady-minded sage in Chapter 2 to the qualities of the enlightened in Chapter 13—but now Krishna will focus more specifically on the demoniac tendencies that obstruct spiritual progress.

An important nuance in this verse is that while we may be born with certain tendencies, our nature is not fixed or deterministic. Krishna is not condemning those with demoniac tendencies but rather educating all beings about the consequences of cultivating different qualities. The divine and demoniac natures manifest in how we approach life: those with divine qualities follow scriptural guidance (śāstra), live by higher values, and work to transcend base impulses, while those with demoniac tendencies reject discipline and act from self-centered motives.

The verse ultimately offers hope and empowerment. Even if we find demoniac tendencies within ourselves, we are not prisoners of our conditioning. By recognizing our negative tendencies and consciously cultivating divine qualities through spiritual practice, self-reflection, and association with elevated teachings and people, we can transform our nature. Krishna's message is that liberation is available to all who choose to nurture the divine within themselves, making this verse not just a classification of human nature but a roadmap for spiritual evolution.