The terms ‘Div’ refers to light and the term divine is related to it. Therefore Deva or
God means the divine (light). The opposite word of Deva is Asura which means
darkness or ignorance. Asuras are those who stand against virtue and virtuous
persons. They are negative in character. Those with divine qualities march towards
the Supreme light while those who with Asura qualities move only all along darkness or ignorance. People of Asura qualities make all the troubles to those
with virtues. It is said that problems are created by Asuras while they are solved
by Devas (good people). The values like love, compassion, affection, consideration
for others, performing right duty etc. are not present in Asuras. Asuras with their
demoniac powers constantly fight against the virtuous persons. Devas refer to
those who have got the sparks of divine light within. We can classify and identify
Devas and Asuras, among human beings, on the bases of the influence of the
gunas of Prakriti acting in them. In this chapter it is discussed the influence of the
forces of Prakriti in men and the character being expressed by the individuals. It is
stated that the main cause of all human problems is the Asura tendenciy in man.
Keep yourself away from the Asuras and not to pollute your mind by their
influences.
Total, freedom from fear, mental purity, fixing mind in yoga and meditation, control of senses, worship of the Supreme and other Gods, sacrifices in fire, acquiring good knowledge, giving alms to others, stable and open mindedness, non-violence, gentle behavior, patience, neatness, courage, truthfulness, abstaining from gossip etc. are related to persons born with divine (Deva) characteristics. Higher thinking, understanding, not boasting oneself etc. are due to the grace of the divine Purusa. Purity of mind and purity of actions are really the gift of the Supreme.
Showing contradiction in words and actions (hypocrisy), ignorance, arrogance and pride, sternness in wrong actions are the demoniac characteristics. Asuras are not humble. They think that they are only the right. Such people insult the good and spread rumors with a view to creating enmity with others and are very active and particular in bringing damage to the good name of others.
The Divine grace and Divine properties lead one to liberation. But the, demoniac properties add bondages to the soul. Therefore, Arjuna, you need not worry as you possess the Divine properties.
Arjuna, there are two types of men in this world; those with the divine properties and those with demoniac properties. You have already heard from Me relating to those with divine characteristics. Now you hear from Me of those with demoniac characteristics in detail.
Those with Asura (demoniac) properties do not know what virtuous actions are and what not. They do not have external or internal purity and are not truthful and gentle. They always remain as a threat to the good people.
Those with demoniac disposition may say that this world has no foundation and is unreal and Godless. The world is created and formed by the union of the male and female living beings and hold that there is no other relevance to this world. They are totally materialistic and egoistic in nature.
Those who are with devilish (Asura) disposition do terrible and wrong actions and become the enemies of the people and stand for the total destruction of the world.
They are concerned with their own sensual enjoyments and are happy in torturing the good people by hook or crook. They are deviish, ignorant and impure in character, cherishing the insatiable desires and improper conduct and actions; live in this world. They are irrational, egoistic, arrogant and hypocrites and are negative minded and are strongly against all good thoughts and actions. Anger is a common character of such persons. They oppose very vehemently positive actions and support all negativities. We can judge of their mental status on the basis of their responses to positive thoughts and actions.
Those with demoniac nature stand for sensual pleasures till death and consider that the material pleasures are really desirable and real. There is a saying that ‘the eyes of a dead fox are directed towards the cage of the chicken.’ This can well be applied in the case of men with demoniac properties also. The demoniac are uncultured without any ray of light within. They are characterized by lust, anger and striving for amassing wealth even by unfair means. They are after money and wealth for increasing and maintaining their material pleasures.
The people with Asura disposition may say ‘today I have got so much money and I shall attain anything and everything that I desire. I have much wealth and will earn more and more.’ They always run after the objects of enjoyment and pleasure and possess them by any means and also commit mistakes and even criminal offences and justify them in the absence of evidences. They lead a life of egoistic disposition and do not know that their soul is witnessing everything. They may say “I killed an enemy and will kill others as well. I am the Lord of the world and I have divine powers and I am therefore satisfied.” Even in the methods of worship Asura and Deva differ. Those worshipping God to attain liberation are real spiritualists and their approach is positive. The positive approach is called Vidya which helps one to realize the Supreme and free the soul from bondages. It guides for the virtuous actions. On the other hand Avidya or ignorance is represented by Asuras, doing wrong actions and taking the soul away from the Supreme.
A person with Asura property thinks that he is rich with big family strength and he would say “I shall do sacrifices, give alms and will be happy” They become easy victims of lust and hunger and commit serious crimes and fall in the foulest hell. Once a devotee told egoistically ‘I performed Ganapathi sacrifice a thousand times.’ As there is arrogance in him, he could not get any benefit of Ganapathi sacrifice. He lost the materials used in the sacrifice and his valuable time and that these type of worships are negative. Performing sacrifices without purity and humbleness of mind is negative.
The Asuras become very arrogant, overwhelmed with the desire of amassing wealth and luxuries. They perform some sacrifices to make others believe that they are doing the true sacrifice for others.
Egotism, brutality, arrogance, lust, anger etc. are increasingly present in people with Asura tendencies and they hate Me existing in them as their souls. They do insult and disown their own souls and the Supreme Self. They always try to discourage the positive movement of the humanity and promote vices saying that there is no God and they find no need to fear anybody.
They are cruel, sinful and vice among men whom I cast again and again in the womb of demons. Arjuna, the Asura take birth after birth for a long period and are pulled down to the lower levels.
It is said that lust, anger and greed are the three gate-ways open to hell. Therefore one should shun all the three.
He who escaped from the gates of hell (lust, anger and greed) shall strive for the liberation of his soul and attain Me in due course. Lust, anger and greed are the most avoidable and mean evils in man. If one can be free from these propensities he can move to higher planes of realization.
As a man of Asura nature acts against the principles of scriptures in an arbitrary way according to his own will, never attains perfection or the Supreme Purusa.
Therefore, Arjuna, you do all right actions as per scriptures alone. In this chapter the characteristic of the divine and demoniac minds are subtlety analyzed. Try to overcome the vice characteristics of the mind and convert it into divine properties and march ahead to the Supreme Purusa (consciousness).