Each human being is a fascinating combination of divine and demonic qualities. We all have the devil in us; something that makes us pursue self-destructive ways. Yet, even the worst among us has extraordinarily divine traits. Our success depends on how well we are able to operate out of our own goodness and marginalise the demonic qualities. Bhagwad Gita Chapter 16 enumerates 26 qualities of the divine and six qualities of the demonic. Krishna assures Arjuna that he is born of divine temperament.
Some divine qualities listed are fearlessness, purity of heart and charity. Most people are materialistic, chasing the world for happiness. Those who turn spiritual are driven by fear of retribution. Worship must be backed by love, not fear. Purity of heart comes with freedom from selfishness and desire. Lower desires go when you are inspired with a higher goal. Charity comes from recognising the infinite benevolence of nature. Yet people visit places of worship only to ask for more. True prayer is acknowledgement of what you already have and the desire to share, serve, and contribute to the less privileged. You become rich by what you give. The attitude of grabbing impoverishes you.
The basic difference between divine and demonic is knowledge. The divine have access to higher knowledge while the demonic, deluded by greed, lust and ego are ignorant of their potential. They do not know what they ought to do and what they should not do. Impure and lacking in good conduct, they declare that the world is meaningless, brought about by lustful union. Resorting to insatiable desire, of scant discrimination and savage deeds, such people cause destruction to themselves and others.
You are a combination of matter and Spirit. You know only matter. You have no inkling of the Spirit in you. Yet because Atman, Spirit, is our original nature It makes Its presence felt. Thus you attribute the glory, magnificence and grandeur of Atman to your individual personality. Worse still, you project the dependence, weakness and finitude of the body, mind and intellect to Atman. This is moha, delusion. The way out is knowledge -- of the distinction between matter and Spirit. Then there is no more confusion; misery and grief vanish and you get established in happiness.
It all begins with a thought. You experience a sense of emptiness within and thoughts go out into the world to acquire objects and beings. You believe, wrongly, that acquisition of worldly objects will fill the void. You give in to sensual pleasures. One indulgence leads to another and before long you are enmeshed in the web of delusion, moha jala....You get addicted to sense gratification and go into a downward spiral. You lead a stressful life devoid of vitality, cheer and growth.Ignorant of your divine birthright you go through the endless cycle of birth and death....
Having described the perils of yielding to devilish tendencies Krishna urges you to free yourself from the three gates of darkness – desire, anger and greed. Anger and greed are mutations of desire so it is desire that needs to be combated and overcome. Yet desire is encouraged, fanned, and promoted. Nobody understands the devastating effects of desire, your greatest enemy. The doors to your soul are kept shut and you live and die without even a glimpse of your own power and magnificence.
If you follow your divine nature you do yourself good and uplift others as well. You live a life of success and happiness and eventually transcend the world to attain liberation.
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