In Bhagavad Gita 16.4, Krishna lists the qualities of one born for a demonic nature: hypocrisy, arrogance, conceit, anger, harshness and ignorance.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
दम्भो दर्पोऽभिमानश्च
क्रोधः पारुष्यमेव च
अज्ञानं चाभिजातस्य
पार्थ सम्पदमासुरीम् ॥ १६-४ ॥
dambho darpo’bhimānaśca
krodhaḥ pāruṣyameva ca
ajñānaṃ cābhijātasya
pārtha sampadamāsurīm
English transliteration dambho darpo’bhimaanashcha
krodhah paarushyameva cha
ajnaanam chaabhijaatasya
paartha sampadamaasureem ॥ 16.4 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Hypocrisy, arrogance, conceit, anger, harshness and ignorance belong, O Partha, to one born for the demonic nature.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| दम्भः dambhaḥ | hypocrisy |
| दर्पः darpaḥ | arrogance |
| अभिमानः abhimānaḥ | conceit |
| च ca | and |
| क्रोधः krodhaḥ | anger |
| पारुष्यम् pāruṣyam | harshness |
| एव eva | also |
| च ca | and |
| अज्ञानम् ajñānam | ignorance |
| च ca | and |
| अभिजातस्य abhijātasya | of one born for |
| पार्थ pārtha | O Pārtha |
| सम्पदम् sampadam | endowment |
| आसुरीम् āsurīm | demonic |
Word-wise Chanting
- dam–bho dar–po–‘bhi–mā–naś–ca 8 syllables dam-bho dar-po-‘bhi-maa-nash-cha
- kro–dhaḥ pā–ruṣ–ya–me–va ca | 8 syllables kro-dhah paa-rush-ya-me-va cha
- a–jñā–naṃ cā–bhi–jā–tas–ya 8 syllables a-jnaa-nam chaa-bhi-jaa-tas-ya
- pār–tha sam–pa–da–mā–su–rīm || 16-4 8 syllables paar-tha sam-pa-da-maa-su-reem
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 4
Context
Krishna describes the demonic qualities (16.4).
Meaning
In contrast, the āsurī sampad, demonic endowment, includes dambha, pretending to be what one is not; darpa, arrogance; abhimāna, excessive self-importance; krodha, anger; pāruṣya, harshness; and ajñāna, ignorance of what is right.
“Demonic” here describes qualities, not a race of beings. Each of us has both divine and demonic tendencies. The chapter helps us recognise and choose.
In Practice
Notice any moment of harshness or arrogance in yourself today, and soften it.
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.