Yoga through Discerning the Divine and Demoniac Natures
Verse 16.13
इदमद्य मया लब्धमिमं प्राप्स्ये मनोरथम्।इदमस्तीदमपि मे भविष्यति पुनर्धनम्।।16.13।।
idam adya mayā labdham imaṁ prāpsye manoratham idam astīdam api me bhaviṣhyati punar dhanam
Word Meanings
idam—this; adya—today; mayā—by me; labdham—gained; imam—this; prāpsye—I shall acquire; manaḥ-ratham—desire; idam—this; asti—is; idam—this; api—also; me—mine; bhaviṣhyati—in future; punaḥ—again; dhanam—wealth;
Translation · English
"I have gained this today; I will fulfill this desire of mine; this is mine, and this wealth will be mine in the future."
Deep Meaning · English
In this verse, Krishna unveils the psychology of the 'Asuric' or demoniac mindset, which is fundamentally rooted in the illusion of ownership and the fragmentation of time. The ego, trapped in the cycle of desire, perpetually constructs a narrative where the self is the sole proprietor of success and the architect of an insatiable future. By using the words 'idam' (this) repeatedly, Krishna highlights the obsessive attachment to objects, revealing a consciousness that fails to see the transient, interconnected flow of reality, choosing instead to freeze life into a static ledger of gains and assets. This is the antithesis of the yogic path; it is the solidification of 'mine-ness' (mamata) that creates a psychological fortress, isolating the soul from the expansive awareness of the Divine. From an Advaitic perspective, this verse illustrates the core delusion of the Jiva. By identifying with the 'I' that acquires and the 'mine' that is stored, the individual ego creates a false boundary between the observer and the observed. Krishna is warning Arjuna that when one lives solely for the satisfaction of future desires—measuring worth through the accumulation of wealth—the consciousness becomes calcified. The 'demoniac' nature is not necessarily a mythological creature, but rather the human tendency to project an independent, god-like status onto the ego, believing that one is the absolute doer and possessor of worldly outcomes. This pursuit of the 'next gain' is a symptom of spiritual starvation, where the soul seeks to fill its internal void with external acquisitions.
The demoniac nature is defined by a fragmented consciousness that mistakes the accumulation of transient material goods for the fulfillment of the infinite self.
Connected Verses
Expands on the verse provided by showcasing the next stage of delusion: the ego's belief that it is an all-powerful controller.
Contrasts the ego-driven provider with the Divine who personally sustains those who are established in constant meditation.
Highlights how attachment to enjoyment and wealth steals the faculty of resolute determination necessary for liberation.
Contrasts the demoniac craving for possessions with the peace that comes from abandoning all desires.
Community Insights
(0)Share your understanding of this verse with fellow seekers.
No insights yet. Be the first to share your understanding of this verse.