THE SIXTEENTH CHAPTER
Shri Bhagwan Uvaach: Lord Krishna said, "O Arjuna, listen to the characteristics of the Nivritmargi Sanyasi Mahatma. Such a Mahatma wanders the world fearlessly, with a pure conscience, trusting in the Brahmvidya Shastra and reflecting upon it. He suppresses his senses, chants my name with every breath, controls his mind, avoids deceit, harms no one, harbors no anger, speaks truthfully, renounces worldly attachments, keeps his soul serene, refrains from slander, guides others towards my path, remains free from greed, lives with gentleness, feels shame for misdeeds, acts thoughtfully, and is always sharp with the power of knowledge and devotion. These are the traits of a saint who follows my path; such a holy Mahatma attains my ecstasy.
O Partha! Now listen to the signs of a worldly Pravritmargi. He desires self-exaltation, speaks arrogantly to all, is quick to anger, uses harsh words, and remains ignorant. These are the traits of a worldly man who attains bondage.
Do not worry at all, O Partha, for you have found the way to my bliss. There are two kinds of people in this world: the good and the bad. Now listen to the traits of bad people. They know neither the way of the world nor righteousness. They lack purity, religion, and truth. Such people deem Brahmvidya knowledge false and claim there is no sin or virtue, no God; they accuse sadhus and brahmins of hypocrisy for their own gain and believe there is no origin or end to this world. They assert that life is solely about sensuality—indulging in fine food, clothes, and pleasures. Wicked individuals with malevolent spirits commit deceitful acts and entice others to do the same; they are consumed by insatiable desires day and night. They suffer various afflictions yet never abandon their false cravings.
They perform hypocritical acts for enjoyment, consider themselves great saints or scholars without respecting any learned person, dispute sacred scriptures, plagiarize works of other saints and mahatmas to create their own texts and religions, seek personal worship, succumb to various lusts while claiming wealth as their own—boasting about their possessions today and fearing loss tomorrow. They view others as enemies to be vanquished. They proclaim themselves as Brahma—autonomous, strong, contented, perfect, affluent; they boast of high caste and unparalleled status while performing charity for self-satisfaction.
Such superstitious beings indulge in lusts, are deluded by illusion, trapped
by attachment, gripped by sensual pleasures; they descend into hell and drag others along. O Arjuna! Listen also to those hypocrites who consider themselves superior due to wealth and pride; they perform righteous deeds for showoff; they intimidate others with false power; they assert dominance; they harm others’ souls through pride and anger; they denounce me—the omnipresent God.
Thus do I repeatedly cast those sinful creatures into demonic species—those who are my detestable adversaries with hardened spirits. What are these demonic species? Dogs, cats, rabbits, pigs—such superstitious sinners are reborn into these forms and suffer for long periods.
O Arjuna! Lust, anger, and greed are the three gates to hell. When a creature enters these gates, it destroys itself. Therefore, O Arjuna! You must renounce these qualities. O son of Kunti! By avoiding these three doors of ruin, one should strive for one’s own good. A man who makes such an effort attains me very quickly."
“Those who abandon the path of Brahmavidya and follow their own whims, performing arbitrary deeds and creating various religions with different tricks, do not attain my supreme knowledge; they neither find happiness nor achieve salvation. O Arjuna! To discern what should and should not be done, the Brahmavidya Shastra is the authority. Therefore, you too should recognize my Brahmavidya Shastra as the evidence and perform all religious and worldly actions in accordance with that scripture.”
ITI SHRIMADBHAGWADGEETASUPANISHATSHU BRAHMAVIDYAYAM YOGSHASTRE SHRIKRISHNAARJUN SAMVADE DEVAASURSAMPDVIBHAG YOGONAM
SHODSHOADHYAYAH ॥16॥
|| SHRIKRISHAN ARPAN MASTU ||
