Dogs are unpredictable. Though widely acclaimed as man’s best friend, dogs are also notorious for brutal, unprovoked attacks. Such contradictory behaviour is a sign of our times. In previous ages, the distinction between divine and demoniac people was very clear – they lived at a distance from each other and rarely mixed. In modern times, however, the dividing line has disappeared to the extent that the divine and demoniac coexist within the same individual! In Chapter Sixteen, Krishna describes the qualities of the saintly and shortcomings of the demoniac, exposing attitudes and behaviours that destroy one’s spirituality.
D
Divine or Demoniac (1-6)
On the ‘tree of the material world,’ divine qualities are said to elevate us whereas demoniac qualities result in degradation. Such qualities are the result of nature and nurture. While we undoubtedly carry impressions from previous lives, our desire, determination and discipline in this life can significantly alter that nature. Krishna describes twenty-six divine qualities and six major demoniac qualities.
O
Opinions & Outlook of Demons (7-20)
To reassure Arjuna that he is of divine nature, Krishna distinguishes the activities, mentality and qualities of the demoniac section. Such living entities are cast into repeated births in undeveloped, lower species of life. While this may sound like the harsh and judgmental God of dogmatic religion, Krishna explains how such treatment is the most progressive and compassionate course of action to evolve the consciousness of such individuals. Demoniac philosophy, mentality and activities imprison the individual into misery and cause great disruption in the wider society. It is a case of hate the disease not the diseased.
G
Gates to Hell (21-24)
Krishna warns that lust, anger and greed are the three gates that perpetuate hellish life. These dark regions of the universe are not eternal prisons for the errant soul, but places of reformation where stern lessons help one to realign their vision. For one who wants to avoid such shock treatment, the scriptures act as a guidebook for gradual purification and ultimate perfection. They recommend a spiritual lifestyle by which one can easily transform lust to love, harshness to tolerance, envy to appreciation and greed to selflessness.
“LIFE IS AN ECHO. WHAT YOU SEND OUT, COMES BACK. WHAT YOU SOW, YOU REAP. WHAT YOU GIVE, YOU GET. WHAT YOU SEE IN OTHERS, EXISTS IN YOU. REMEMBER, LIFE IS AN ECHO.”
