by Jayaram V
Knowledge of demonic qualities helps us to guard ourselves against
people who possess them and
also be aware of such qualities so that we can free ourselves from them
if they exist in us to some degree. It helps us to guide our lives and
conduct ourselves in a proper manner, knowing how to exercise our
discretion or our buddhi in the performance of our obligatory duties
as an individual, as a family member and as a member of society.
Human beings have the potential to be good or wicked
depending upon the choices they make in their lives and how
they perform their actions. Since they modeled on the likeness
of the universe, the conflict between the forces of light and
darkness is replicated by Nature in them also, making them
vulnerable to both positive and constructive on one side and
negative and destructive qualities on the other.
Since the soul is a force of pure light and delight, it
cannot be tainted by evil. It is in the lower-self, especially
the human mind, where this conflict takes place, aided by the
senses and grossness of the human body and the desires they
cause to arise in our consciousness. In the symbolism of the
Upanishads, this play of Nature is depicted as the bird that
eats and enjoys the fruit, while the other bird, the soul,
calmly watches. Our minds have the ability to rationalize our
actions and prevent us from seeing the truth clearly and
objectively. Self-deception, that we are different and that we
are justified in our actions, is part of the illusion to which
we are susceptible. Since we are not sure how our actions are
rewarded or punished ultimately and do not know how serious the
consequences are, most of us live with the illusion that the
laws of the world do not apply to us and that somehow we will
get away with our transgressions. But if look at this problem
from the soul's perspective as a problem of bondage to the
cycle of births and deaths, we learn to discriminate between
desirable and undesirable qualities and between good conduct
and wicked conduct so that we can establish a good moral
foundation upon which we can build our lives as well as the
fate of the humanity.
Moral conduct is the basis of our progress on the spiritual
path and a precondition for our liberation. Study of the
scriptures like the Bhagavadgita is very helpful in cultivating
right conduct and leading a balanced life with God at the
center of it on the path of righteousness. In the12th chapter
of the Bhagavadgita we find a very detailed discussion of the
demonic qualities of the wicked people and the consequences of
pursuing such behavior. In the scripture, Lord Krishna advises
us that to attain spiritual success and happiness we should
follow the righteous path and remain free from the influences
of desires and egoism. He declares that the demonic qualities
enumerated by Him bring darkness and intense suffering into the
lives of men and lead them into the lower worlds of evil and
suffering. Regarding the consequences of evil actions, He says,
"Taking birth repeatedly in the demonic wombs, these deluded
souls sink into the abysmal worlds." 1
The following are the demonic qualities described in the
12th chapter of the Bhagavad-Gita.
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The asuric persons do not know when to act properly and when not
to act.
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They do not know what is cleanliness and proper conduct.
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The quality of truthfulness is not there in them.
-
They say that the world is false, without foundation and without
God, that it is born without any cause other than lust.
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With this vision in their minds, the degenerated souls, with
little intelligence, engage in hostile activities, for the
destruction of the world against its interests.
-
Resorting to insatiable lust, with conceited minds, possessed by
insane energy, residing in untruthful words, under illusion, they
exist, worshipping the unclean and the impure.
-
With endless anxieties tormenting them till the end, they live
absorbed in sense gratification, concluding it as the
transcendental pleasure.
-
"Bound by innumerable strings of desire, minds filled with the
vibrations of anger and lust, they accumulate wealth by unjust
means, desiring sense gratification.
-
Their thinking is also lopsided. They think, "Today I have gained
this, this inner wish I shall fulfill, this property is mine and
in future I will have more wealth. That enemy is slain by me, I
shall harm others also, I am the lord and I am the enjoyer, I am
perfected being, powerful and happy. I am wealthy and from a rich
family, who else can there be like me ! I perform sacrifices, give
charity and also enjoy." Thinking thus by ignorance they become
deluded.
-
"Perplexed by numerous states of thinking, caught in the net of
illusion, attached to the gratification of desires, the unclean
degenerate into hell.
-
Egoistic, impudent, possessed with insane energy of wealth and
pride, they perform sacrifices for name sake only out of conceit
and against established procedures.
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Having taken shelter in egoism, strength, showiness, lust and
anger, the envious discredit God in their own bodies and in
others.
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These haters, the cruel and the lowest men in the world of
materialistic existence, are cast by the Supreme Self again and
again into the inauspicious demonic wombs.
-
Acquiring demonic wombs, these deluded souls, birth after birth,
without reaching God, go to the lowest hell.
-
Three types are the gates to this hell which are destructive to
the soul - desire, anger and greed. The demonic beings perish
through these.
