असत्यमप्रतिष्ठं ते जगदाहुरनीश्वरम् ।
अपरस्परसम्भूतं किमन्यत्कामहैतुकम् ॥ ८ ॥
asatyam apratiṣhṭhaṁ te jagad āhur anīśhvaram
aparaspara-sambhūtaṁ kim anyat kāma-haitukam
श्लोक ८: वे कहते हैं कि, ब्रह्मांड में सत्य, नैतिकता और दैवीय व्यवस्था का अभाव है, अर्थात विश्व में पूर्ण सत्य और ईश्वर है ही नहीं। यह प्राणियों के मिलन से उत्पन्न होता है, और केवल काम इच्छा से प्रेरित होता है और इन कामुक इच्छाओं को पूरा करने के अलावा इसका और कोई उद्देश्य नहीं है।
Shloka 8: They proclaim, the universe is devoid of truth, morality and divine order. It is generated by the union of beings, driven solely by passion and has no cause other than fulfilment of sensual desires.
In Bhagavad Gita 16.8, Sri Krishna reveals the fundamental belief system of those with demoniac tendencies, moving beyond their outward behaviors to expose their core philosophy. The verse states: "They say that this world is unreal, without a foundation, without a God in control. They say it is produced of sex desire and has no cause other than lust."
Krishna identifies four key aspects of the demoniac worldview: they believe the world is unreal (asatyam), without any foundation or grounding truth (apratiṣṭham), with no supreme controller or God (anīśvaram), and arising merely from desire, particularly sexual desire (kāma-haitukam). This verse effectively describes what we might recognize today as nihilistic materialism—a belief that existence has no inherent meaning, no divine purpose, and no higher authority.
This worldview isn't merely philosophical—it has profound practical implications. When someone believes there is no absolute truth, no foundation for morality, and no divine oversight, there remains no compelling reason to adhere to ethical principles. Without accountability to a higher power, morality becomes subjective and situational. The demoniac conclude that if life is merely a random occurrence without purpose, then pursuing pleasure becomes the only logical priority.
The irony that Krishna subtly points to is that those who claim the world is unreal (asatyam) are often the most desperate to enjoy material pleasures. Their philosophy becomes a convenient justification for unbridled self-gratification. By dismissing the existence of divine order, karma, and spiritual consequences, they create an intellectual framework that permits them to act according to their basest desires without guilt or restraint.
The belief that everything arises from lust (kāma-haitukam) is particularly destructive. When reduced to this level, human relationships lose their sacred dimension and become transactional. Love becomes conflated with desire, commitment with convenience, and the deeper purpose of human connection is lost. This mindset leads to exploitation, as others are viewed primarily as instruments for personal pleasure rather than souls worthy of respect.
This verse serves as a warning about how philosophical beliefs shape behavior. The demoniac outlook doesn't suddenly appear—it develops gradually as one adopts these core beliefs. What begins as intellectual skepticism can evolve into moral relativism and eventually manifest as harmful behavior. By exposing this progression, Krishna helps us understand that ethical conduct is rooted in how we perceive reality itself.
While the verse directly addresses those with demoniac tendencies, it invites all of us to examine our own worldview. Do we see existence as random and purposeless, or as part of a divine order? Do we recognize a foundation of truth beyond our personal desires? Do we acknowledge a higher authority than our own will? Krishna suggests that our answers to these questions will profoundly influence not just our beliefs, but our actions, relationships, and the entire course of our lives.
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