In Bhagavad Gita 16.20, Krishna says that entering demonic wombs birth after birth, the deluded, not reaching him, go even lower.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
आसुरीं योनिमापन्ना
मूढा जन्मनि जन्मनि
मामप्राप्यैव कौन्तेय
ततो यान्त्यधमां गतिम् ॥ १६-२० ॥
āsurīṃ yonimāpannā
mūḍhā janmani janmani
māmaprāpyaiva kaunteya
tato yāntyadhamāṃ gatim
English transliteration aasureem yonimaapannaa
moodhaa janmani janmani
maamapraapyaiva kaunteya
tato yaantyadhamaam gatim ॥ 16.20 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Entering demonic wombs, deluded birth after birth, without ever reaching Me, O son of Kunti, they sink to an even lower state.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| आसुरीम् āsurīm | demonic |
| योनिम् yonim | womb |
| आपन्नाः āpannāḥ | entering |
| मूढाः mūḍhāḥ | the deluded |
| जन्मनि जन्मनि janmani janmani | birth after birth |
| माम् mām | Me |
| अप्राप्य aprāpya | not reaching |
| एव eva | ever |
| कौन्तेय kaunteya | O son of Kuntī |
| ततः tataḥ | then |
| यान्ति yānti | go |
| अधमाम् adhamām | lower |
| गतिम् gatim | state |
Word-wise Chanting
- ā–su–rīṃ yo–ni–mā–pan–nā 8 syllables aa-su-reem yo-ni-maa-pan-naa
- mū–ḍhā jan–ma–ni jan–ma–ni | 8 syllables moo-dhaa jan-ma-ni jan-ma-ni
- mā–map–rāp–yai–va kaun–te–ya 8 syllables maa-map-raap-yai-va kaun-te-ya
- ta–to yān–tya–dha–māṃ ga–tim || 16-20 8 syllables ta-to yaan-tya-dha-maam ga-tim
How to read this
How to chant: each line is one pāda (quarter-verse); chant it in one breath. The hyphen (-) divides the syllables, inside a word and across a sandhi join, so every pāda shows its 8 syllables (11 in triṣṭubh verses). A consonant cluster is divided after its first consonant (kar-ma, vet-ti): that syllable is held longer. Mark above a syllable: guru, long (two beats); laghu, short (one beat). | closes the half-verse, || the verse; the number is the syllable count of the pāda.
Deeper Explanation – Chapter 16 Verse 20
Context
Krishna concludes the description of the demonic nature (16.6–16.20).
Meaning
Without a change of direction, the deluded continue birth after birth in lower conditions, never reaching the Divine, and sinking further. The downward spiral continues as long as the demonic qualities are fed.
The way out is always available: turning to the Divine and cultivating divine qualities. Chapter 9.30 promised that even the worst wrongdoer who turns sincerely is saved.
In Practice
If you feel stuck in a downward pattern, take one small step in the opposite direction today.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 16: Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga (Divine and Undivine Qualities). Read the chapter overview, browse every verse of the Gita, or return to the chapter-by-chapter guide. For a reading plan, see how to study the Bhagavad Gita and the study resources.