Bhagavad Gita Chapter 16, Verse 7 (BG 16.7) — Meaning, Translation & Commentary

16.7 प्रवृत्तिम् action? च and? निवृत्तिम् inaction? च and? जनाः men? न not? विदुः know? आसुराः the demoniac? न not? शौचम् purity? न not? अपि also? च and? आचारः (right) conduct? न not? सत्यम् truth? तेषु in them? विद्यते is.Commentary The demoniacal do not understand the nature of action and inaction (right abstinence). The idea of a Self apart from the body? doing nothing (actionless) but imply watching the play of the Gunas is something incomprehensible to them. They have no consideration for the interest of others. They work for the sake of their bodies or sensual enjoyment. They are greedy? selfish and cruel. Therefore? they have neither good conduct nor good behaviour. They are untruthful? unjust and impure. They do not know what actions they should do in order to attain the goal of life or end of human existence? nor from what actions they should refrain to ward off,evil.Those who are endowed with demoniacal alities are sunk in the mire of ignorance. They are totally ignorant of what is prescribed or what is prohibited action. They have not the least idea of what purity or cleanliness is. Their actions are crooked. They know neither right Pravritti nor right Nivritti. They have no idea of virtue or vice or of scriptural injunctions or prohibitions. They will never speak loving words. They are hypocrites and liars.

Commentaries

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# BG 16.7 — Commentary Translation Here, the terms "pravṛitti" and "nivṛitti" refer respectively to righteous action and forbidden action—that which ought to be done and that which ought not to be done. The one who performs sacred rituals and fulfills duties through selfless service to society attains not merely immediate benefit, but also the purification of the inner heart. This is because such a person never allows the highest aim to slip from remembrance. Abstinence from forbidden actions is called nivṛitti. The renunciation of what ought not to be done becomes truly beneficial for humanity. Those of demonic nature remain entirely ignorant of duty and forbidden action. It is noteworthy that the catalogue of demonic qualities begins with ignorance. When a person commits wrongdoing through ignorance, the compassionate hearts of society naturally incline toward forgiveness, even if the courts of law may not recognize it as grounds for pardon. External purity, to a great extent, reflects the inner character of a person. We find such refinement only in those blessed with excellent education and noble upbringing. The ignorant person lacks both inner and outer purity. Such an undisciplined person cannot conduct themselves with propriety, for external behavior is but the expression of one's inner nature. Therefore, the Blessed One declares that the absence of virtue is clearly evident in those of demonic nature. A person possessed of poor judgment, impurity, and misconduct can never uphold the truth of their own words. Should we study these enumerated qualities with careful attention, we shall gain clear understanding of how much compassion dwells in the heart of the Blessed One toward these wrongdoers. Throughout the entire Gita, not the slightest trace of vengeance or hatred toward them is expressed. We cannot say that the demonic person deliberately pursues falsehood. The truth is that, bound by their own nature, they find themselves utterly incapable of conducting themselves with sincerity and guilelessness.