Chapter 16: Divine Qualities (Daivi Sampat)
What Are Divine Qualities (Daivi Sampat)?
Divine Qualities, or Daivi Sampat, are the virtuous traits and noble characteristics that align a person with spiritual evolution, inner purity, and the path to liberation (moksha) as described in Bhagavad Gita Chapter 16 – Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga. Access Bhagavad Gita Notes & Summary.
Themes of Divine Qualities (Daivi Sampat)
Spiritual Foundation for Liberation
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Divine qualities are essential virtues that purify the mind and heart, making one eligible for Self-realization and ultimately Moksha (liberation).
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Inner Growth and Self-Mastery
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These qualities represent inner disciplines like fearlessness, purity, compassion, self-control, truthfulness, etc., which help a seeker master desires, ego, and anger.
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Living in Alignment with Dharma
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Practicing Daivi Sampat ensures that one lives in harmony with cosmic order (dharma)—promoting righteousness, peace, and non-violence in thoughts, words, and deeds.
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Mental Purity and Detachment
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These qualities cleanse the mind of negative tendencies and cultivate detachment, reducing suffering and fostering equanimity in all circumstances.
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Path to Divine Grace
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Individuals with Divine qualities become instruments of the Divine will. Such qualities attract Divine guidance, inner peace, and clarity.
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Contrast with Demonic Traits
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Lord Krishna contrasts these with Asuric traits like arrogance, cruelty, and delusion. The choice between Daivi and Asuric qualities determines one’s destiny—liberation or bondage.
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Themes of Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga
1. Daivi Sampad – The Divine Endowments (தெய்வீக குணங்கள்)
Lord Krishna begins the chapter by listing the divine qualities that elevate the soul and lead to liberation. These qualities are rooted in purity, self-discipline, compassion, and higher knowledge. They reflect sattvic tendencies. Click Here For Chapter-16.
Key attributes include:
- Abhayam (Fearlessness): Arising from firm faith in the Divine.
- Sattva Samsuddhih (Purity of Heart): Internal and external cleanliness, free from deceit.
- Jnana Yoga Vyavasthitih (Steadfastness in Knowledge): Firm grounding in spiritual wisdom.
- Dama, Tapas, Arjavam (Self-control, Austerity, Simplicity): Restraint of senses, penance, and honesty.
- Ahimsa, Satyam, Akrodha (Non-violence, Truthfulness, Absence of anger): Foundation of dharmic living.
- Tyaga, Shanti, Daya, Aloluptvam (Renunciation, Peace, Compassion, Non-covetousness): Signs of an elevated soul.
Significance: These qualities align one with Dharma and Moksha, leading to inner peace and ultimate liberation. Click Here For Chapter-16.
2. Asuri Sampad – The Demoniacal Endowments (அசுர குணங்கள்)
In contrast, Krishna explains that those governed by ego, desire, pride, and delusion develop asuric (demonic) qualities, which lead to bondage and spiritual downfall.
Key demonic traits:
- Dambha, Darpa, Abhimanah (Hypocrisy, Arrogance, Ego)
- Krodha, Parushyam, Ajnanam (Anger, Harshness, Ignorance)
- Ashaucha, Nastikyam (Impurity, Atheism)
- Kama, Lobha, Moha (Desire, Greed, Delusion)
Consequences: These tendencies arise from tamas (ignorance) and lead to attachment to the material world, repeated births, and suffering. Click Here For Chapter-16.
3. The Two Paths – Divine vs Demoniacal
Krishna clearly defines that:
- Daivi path leads to freedom (moksha) and spiritual elevation.
- Asuri path leads to bondage (samsara) and ultimately, self-destruction.
Analogy: Just as a tree with strong roots flourishes, a life grounded in divine virtues thrives. But a tree infected by parasites (demonic traits) withers. Click Here For Chapter-16.
4. The Three Gates to Hell – Desire, Anger, and Greed
Krishna declares:
“Trividham narakasyedam dvāram nāśanam ātmanah – kāmah krodhah tathā lobhah.”
“Triple are the gates to hell: desire, anger, and greed—these lead to the degradation of the soul.”
These are the root causes of suffering and must be renounced completely by a seeker of truth.
5. Importance of Shastra – Scriptural Wisdom
At the end of the chapter, Krishna emphasizes:
“Tasmāc chāstraṁ pramāṇaṁ te kāryākārya-vyavasthitau.”
“Let the scriptures be your guide in deciding what should be done and what should not.”
Shastra (scripture) is the guiding lamp in the dark forest of life. It provides clarity on what aligns with dharma and what doesn’t. Click Here For Chapter-16.
6. Spiritual Birth and Free Will
Krishna reassures Arjuna:
“Daivī sampad vimokṣāya nibandhāyāsurī matā”
“The divine nature leads to liberation; the demonic nature leads to bondage.”
Everyone is born with both tendencies. Through free will, discernment (viveka), and effort, one can choose the divine path. Click Here For Chapter-16.
Benefits of Studying Purushottama Yoga
- Clarity of Existence: Understand the impermanence of the world.
- Awareness of the Divine Within: Cultivates compassion and unity.
- Liberation from Samsara: Realizing and surrendering to the Supreme helps escape the cycle of birth and death.
- Inner Peace: Vairagya (detachment) brings mental stillness and spiritual joy.
Why Study This Chapter?
- It offers a complete Vedantic worldview, integrating cosmology, self-inquiry, and devotion.
- Provides practical tools for spiritual progress through knowledge, detachment, and surrender.
- Universally relevant: addresses the core human longing for truth, peace, and liberation.
