Gita 16.7
Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga
प्रवृत्तिं च निवृत्तिं च जना न विदुरासुराः | न शौचं नापि चाचारो न सत्यं तेषु विद्यते ||७||
pravṛttiṁ ca nivṛttiṁ ca janā na vidur āsurāḥ | na śaucaṁ nāpi cācāro na satyaṁ teṣu vidyate ||7||
In essence: The demoniac do not know what to do or what to avoid; they lack purity, proper conduct, and truth—the three foundations of dharmic life.
A conversation between a seeker and guide to help you feel this verse deeply
Sadhak-Guru Dialogue
Sadhak: "How can someone not know what to do and what to avoid? Isn't that basic knowledge every human has?"
Guru: "Consider carefully. Many people know intellectually what is right but convince themselves otherwise when it suits their desires. The demoniac nature's confusion runs deeper—it genuinely does not perceive certain actions as harmful. It rationalizes so thoroughly that wrong appears as right."
Sadhak: "But everyone has some moral sense, don't they?"
Guru: "There are gradations. Most people have a conscience that whispers even when they disobey it. But sustained self-deception can deaden that voice. History shows people committing atrocities while believing they were doing right. The demoniac nature is capable of inverting values so completely that purity seems naive, proper conduct seems weakness, and truth seems optional."
Sadhak: "What is the difference between pravṛtti and ācāra?"
Guru: "Pravṛtti/nivṛtti is the fundamental discernment: what to engage in, what to abstain from. It is wisdom about action. Ācāra is the resulting behavior—the conduct that flows from that discernment. One who knows pravṛtti/nivṛtti will naturally develop proper ācāra. The demoniac, lacking the foundation, cannot establish the behavior. They may mimic proper conduct when advantageous, but it has no root."
Sadhak: "And the absence of truth—surely even deceivers must sometimes speak truth?"
Guru: "They may speak accurate facts when useful. But truth here means satya in the deeper sense—commitment to reality, honesty as a value, integrity between inner and outer. For the demoniac, there is no such commitment. Words are tools for manipulation, not expressions of reality. This is why Krishna places 'na satyam teṣu vidyate'—truth does not exist in them. It is not that they never say true things, but that truth has no home in their being."
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🌅 Daily Practice
Begin the day by clarifying pravṛtti and nivṛtti: 'What should I engage in today? What should I avoid?' This conscious reflection counters the drift toward action without discernment. Also set intentions around śauca (maintaining purity of environment, food, and thought), ācāra (behaving with dignity and consideration), and satya (speaking only truth).
When facing decisions, pause to ask: 'Am I clear about what is right here? Am I rationalizing?' Watch for the subtle voice that justifies questionable actions. This watching is the beginning of reclaiming discernment. Also practice truth in small matters—truth builds momentum, and small lies create a slippery slope.
Review: 'Where was I unclear about right and wrong today? Where did I act without considering whether I should? Where did truth slip?' Without harsh judgment, simply note these instances as areas for growth. End by recommitting to purity, proper conduct, and truth as non-negotiable foundations.