Topic

Asura

2 verses from the Bhagavad Gita on asura. Explore teachings across 2 chapters.

All Verses

Chapter 9 • Verse 12 →The Yoga of Royal Knowledge and Royal Secret
Moghasah mogha-karmano mogha-jnana vicetasah, rakshasim asurim caiva prakritim mohinim shritah

Those who are bewildered are possessed of vain hopes, vain actions, and vain knowledge. They harbour a deluding nature that is demoniac and godless. Such persons, lacking genuine wisdom and devotion, pursue goals that lead only to frustration because they are built on illusion.

  • •Actions and knowledge without God-consciousness are ultimately fruitless
  • •A demoniac nature is characterised by delusion and false pride
  • •True purpose requires alignment with the divine
delusiondemoniac naturefutilityignorance
Chapter 17 • Verse 6 →The Yoga of Threefold Faith
karsayantah sarira-stham bhuta-gramam acetasah, mam caivantah sarira-stham tan viddhy asura-niscayan

Those who torture the elements of the body and the divine presence within — know them to be of demoniac resolve. Such extreme self-mortification harms both the body and the indwelling soul.

  • •Extreme self-torture is a demoniac practice, not genuine spirituality
  • •The divine (Krishna) dwells within all bodies and must not be harmed
  • •True austerity purifies; tamasic austerity destroys
austeritydemoniacbodyinner self