Chapter 16, Verse 6
द्वौ भूतसर्गौ लोकेऽस्मिन्दैव आसुर एव च | दैवो विस्तरश: प्रोक्त आसुरं पार्थ मे शृणु ॥6॥
dvau bhūta-sargau loke ’smin daiva āsura eva ca | daivo vistaraśaḥ prokta āsuraṁ pārtha me śṛṇu
"In this world there are two (kinds of) creation of beings: the divine and the demoniacal. The divine has been spoken of elaborately. Hear about the demoniacal from Me, O son of Prtha."
Key Insight:
The Bhagavad Gita teaches us through 16.6 that true peace is found when we align our actions with Dharma.
The Bhagavad Gita teaches us through 16.6 that true peace is found when we align our actions with Dharma.
Detailed Meaning
This verse establishes a fundamental duality in human nature and cosmic existence. Krishna explains that all beings fall into two categories: Daiva (Divine) and Asura (Demoniacal). These aren't just external labels but internal dispositions (Samskaras) carried from past lives. In the cycle of Yugas, these natures have moved closer together—from being on separate planets in Satya-yug to residing within the same individual's heart in Kali-yug. Krishna transitions here from describing the 26 divine qualities to a detailed analysis of the demoniacal nature, emphasizing that to transcend the lower self, one must first be able to identify its traits clearly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core message of Gita 16.6?
In this world there are two (kinds of) creation of beings: the divine and the demoniacal. The divine has been spoken of elaborately. Hear about the demoniacal from Me, O son of Prtha.