Bhagavad-gītā 16.4

Explain simply

Speaker: Śrī Kṛṣṇa

दम्भो दर्पोऽभिमानश्च क्रोधः पारुष्यमेव च ।
अज्ञानं चाभिजातस्य पार्थ सम्पदमासुरीम् ॥४॥

dambho darpo 'bhimānaś ca
krodhaḥ pāruṣyam eva ca
ajñānaṁ cābhijātasya
pārtha sampadam āsurīm

Word for word (synonyms)

dambhaḥ
pride
darpaḥ
arrogance
abhimānaḥ
conceit
ca
and
krodaḥ
anger
pāruṣyam
harshness
eva
certainly
ca
and
ajñānam
ignorance
ca
and
abhijātasya
one who is born
pārtha
O son of Pṛthā
sampadam
nature
āsurīm
demoniac

Translation

Arrogance, pride, anger, conceit, harshness and ignorance—these qualities belong to those of demonic nature, O son of Pṛthā.

Purport

In this verse, the royal road to hell is described. The demoniac want to make a show of religion and advancement in spiritual science, although they do not follow the principles. They are always arrogant or proud in possessing some type of education or so much wealth. They desire to be worshiped by others, and demand respectability, although they do not command respect. Over trifles they become very angry and speak harshly, not gently. They do not know what should be done and what should not be done. They do everything whimsically, according to their own desire, and they do not recognize any authority. These demoniac qualities are taken on by them from the beginning of their bodies in the wombs of their mothers, and as they grow they manifest all these inauspicious qualities.

What this verse teaches

The study note for this verse is in editorial review.

Qualities in this verse

Demoniac qualities

  • Arrogance
  • pride
  • anger
  • conceit
  • harshness
  • ignorance
Śrīla Prabhupāda lectures 3

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda © The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International.