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Demonic Qualities of the Wicked People & Degenerated Souls



 

 

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.

  • The asuric persons do not know when to act properly and when not to act.
  • They do not know what is cleanliness and proper conduct.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Having taken shelter in egoism, strength, showiness, lust and anger, the envious discredit God in their own bodies and in others.
  • 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.

Suggested Further Reading

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Footnotes

1. Bhagavadgita Chapter 16 Verse 20.

 

 

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