Bhagavad Gita Chapter 16, Verse 19 (BG 16.19) — Meaning, Translation & Commentary

16.19 तान् those? अहम् I? द्विषतः (the) hating (ones)? क्रूरान् cruel? संसारेषु in the worlds? नराधमान् worst among men? क्षिपामि (I) hurl? अजस्रम् for ever? अशुभान् evildoers? आसुरीषु of demons? एव only? योनिषु in wombs.Commentary Now listen to the manner in which I deal with all these demoniacal persons who injure people and who take delight in killing people and animals and who hate Me? the indweller of all bodies. I deprive them of their human state and reduce them to a lower condition as subhuman creatures. I hurl them into the wombs of the most cruel beings such as tigers? lions? scorpions? snakes and the like. For ever only means till they purify their hearts. There is no such thing as eternal damnation.Tan Those The enemies of those who tread the path of righteousness and the haters of virtuous persons.Naradhaman Worst among men because they are guilty of the wors evil deeds and they take delight in injuring virtuous persns and in killing persons and animals ruthlessly.Asurishu yonishu Wombs of Asuras Wombs of the most cruel beings such as tigers? lions and the like.

Commentaries

Contemporary scholarly and practical interpretations for modern seekers.

This interpretation draws on a specific tradition and may not represent the view of any single school. For authoritative guidance within a specific tradition, seek a qualified teacher.

Modern

Here, Lord Sri Krishna speaks in His capacity as the Overseer of action and the Bestower of the fruits of action. I cast them repeatedly into demoniac wombs. A human being performs virtuous and sinful actions of their own free will, and according to the law of karma, the Divine grants the fruits thereof. Therefore, one cannot accuse the Divine of partiality in the bestowal of these fruits. For example, when a judge sentences criminals to imprisonment or capital punishment, he is not called partial, because he merely renders his judgment in accordance with the laws of the land. Similarly, those of demoniac nature, impelled by their base desires, commit wicked deeds. As a consequence of their own nature, they are repeatedly born into demoniac wombs. The principle of rebirth indicated here has been elaborated in detail at multiple places in the Bhagavad Gita.