Bhagavad Gita Chapter 16: Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga
Divine and demonic qualities; desire, anger and greed are the gates to ruin.
दैवासुरसम्पद्विभागयोग — दैवी और आसुरी गुण; काम, क्रोध और लोभ विनाश के द्वार हैं।
Chapter 16 of 18 · 24 verses · “Divine and Demonic Qualities”
Chapter 16 summary
Krishna contrasts two sets of qualities. The divine qualities (daivī sampad) include fearlessness, purity of heart, generosity, self-control, study, austerity, honesty, non-violence, truthfulness, freedom from anger, renunciation, peace, compassion, gentleness, modesty, steadiness, forgiveness and the absence of malice and pride (16.1–3). The demonic qualities (āsurī sampad) are hypocrisy, arrogance, conceit, anger, harshness and ignorance (16.4). Divine qualities lead to freedom; demonic ones to bondage — and Krishna reassures Arjuna that he was born with the divine.
The chapter then paints a vivid portrait of the demonic mindset: a world without truth or moral order, endless desires, hoarding wealth by unjust means, boasting “I have gained this today, I will get that tomorrow; I have killed this enemy and will kill others.” Krishna names the three gates to self-destruction — desire, anger and greed — and says to give them up (16.21), and to let wisdom and scripture guide what should and should not be done (16.24).
Key teachings of chapter 16
- Character is a set of qualities that can be cultivated (16.1–3).
- Arrogance, anger and harshness bind; gentleness and honesty free.
- Desire, anger and greed are the three gates to ruin (16.21).
- Let wisdom, not impulse, decide what to do (16.24).
Key verses of chapter 16
त्रिविधं नरकस्येदं द्वारं नाशनमात्मनः। कामः क्रोधस्तथा लोभस्तस्मादेतत्त्रयं त्यजेत्॥
Desire, anger and greed are the three gates to self-destruction. Therefore, give up these three.
हिंदी अर्थ: काम, क्रोध और लोभ — ये तीन नरक के द्वार हैं जो आत्मा का नाश करते हैं। इसलिए इन तीनों को त्याग देना चाहिए।
- Fearlessness, purity of heart, steadiness in knowledge and yoga, generosity, self-control… — Gita 16.1
- Hypocrisy, arrogance, conceit, anger, harshness and ignorance belong to the demonic nature. — Gita 16.4
- Desire, anger and greed are the three gates to self-destruction. Therefore give up these three. — Gita 16.21
What chapter 16 means today
Pick one divine quality from 16.1–3 to practise this week — patience, honesty or gentleness — and one gate from 16.21 to watch. Character changes the way habits do: one small repetition at a time.
Frequently asked questions
How many verses are in chapter 16 of the Bhagavad Gita?
Chapter 16, Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga, has 24 verses in the standard (Gita Press) numbering.
What are the three gates of hell in the Gita?
In 16.21 Krishna names kāma (desire or lust), krodha (anger) and lobha (greed) as the three gates to self-destruction and advises giving them up.
What are the divine qualities in chapter 16?
Verses 16.1–16.3 list 26 qualities, including fearlessness, purity, generosity, self-control, truthfulness, non-violence, freedom from anger, compassion, gentleness, forgiveness and humility.