Bhagavad Gita · Verse 16.20
Chapter 16: Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga (दैवासुरसम्पद्विभागयोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
आसुरीं योनिमापन्ना मूढा जन्मनि जन्मनि । मामप्राप्यैव कौन्तेय ततो यान्त्यधमां गतिम् ॥२०॥
āsurīṃ yonimāpannā mūḍhā janmani janmani | māmaprāpyaiva kaunteya tato yāntyadhamāṃ gatim ||20||
Complete Shloka Translation
Entering demonic births, deluded from birth to birth, they fail to reach Me, O Kaunteya, and then go toward an even lower state.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| जन्मन् | janman | birth |
| अधम | adhama | lowest or base |
| आसुरीं | āsurīṃ | [term] in context of Entering demonic births, delud... |
| योनिमापन्ना | yonimāpannā | [term] in context of Entering demonic births, delud... |
| मूढा | mūḍhā | [term] in context of Entering demonic births, delud... |
| जन्मनि | janmani | [term] in context of Entering demonic births, delud... |
| मामप्राप्यैव | māmaprāpyaiva | [term] in context of Entering demonic births, delud... |
| कौन्तेय | kaunteya | [term] in context of Entering demonic births, delud... |
| ततो | tato | [term] in context of Entering demonic births, delud... |
| यान्त्यधमां | yāntyadhamāṃ | [term] in context of Entering demonic births, delud... |
| गतिम् | gatim | [term] in context of Entering demonic births, delud... |
| २० | gatim | [term] in context of Entering demonic births, delud... |
birth
lowest or base
[term] in context of Entering demonic births, delud...
[term] in context of Entering demonic births, delud...
[term] in context of Entering demonic births, delud...
[term] in context of Entering demonic births, delud...
[term] in context of Entering demonic births, delud...
[term] in context of Entering demonic births, delud...
[term] in context of Entering demonic births, delud...
[term] in context of Entering demonic births, delud...
[term] in context of Entering demonic births, delud...
[term] in context of Entering demonic births, delud...
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
Continuing 16.19, the verse presents a downward course within the traditional teaching on rebirth. The chapter next identifies tendencies that can be relinquished, shifting attention from the warning to a practical path of release.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Do not let a repeated harmful habit become an accepted way of life."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
Which repeated habit needs a different response from you?
Modern Life Implementation (Practical Real-Life Application)
Apply this verse to master daily focus: anchor your consciousness in higher values, let go of anxious attachment to results, and act with integrity and kindness in every endeavor.