Chapters 15-16: The Supreme Being and Two Natures

Chapters 15 & 16: The Supreme Being and the Two Natures

Chapter 15 presents the cosmic tree of existence and the Supreme Person (Purushottama). Chapter 16 contrasts divine and demonic natures, the qualities that lead to liberation versus bondage.

Chapter 15: Purushottama Yoga

(The Yoga of the Supreme Person)

The Cosmic Tree

Krishna presents a striking image:

"They speak of an eternal ashvattha tree with roots above and branches below, whose leaves are the Vedic hymns. One who knows it knows the Vedas. Its branches extend below and above, nourished by the gunas. Its buds are the sense objects. Its roots spread below, bound to action in the human world."
Bhagavad Gita 15.1-2

The ashvattha (peepul/fig tree) represents samsara, the world of birth and death. It's described as inverted: roots in the heavens (in Brahman), branches spreading downward into manifestation.

This world-tree must be cut down with the axe of detachment:

"With the strong weapon of detachment, cut down this deep-rooted ashvattha tree. Then seek that place from which, having gone, one never returns."
Bhagavad Gita 15.3-4

The Threefold Purusha

Krishna distinguishes three levels:

• Kshara Purusha (perishable): All beings in the material world
• Akshara Purusha (imperishable): The unchanging consciousness that witnesses
• Purushottama (Supreme Person): Beyond both, sustaining both, this is Krishna himself

"Since I transcend the perishable and am above even the imperishable, I am known in the world and in the Vedas as the Supreme Person (Purushottama)."
Bhagavad Gita 15.18

This chapter establishes Krishna's supreme position, not just another manifestation, but the ultimate reality.

Chapter 16: Daivasura Sampad Vibhaga Yoga

(The Yoga of Distinguishing Divine and Demonic Natures)

Divine Qualities (Daivi Sampad)

Krishna lists qualities that lead to liberation:

• Fearlessness
• Purity of heart
• Steadfastness in knowledge and yoga
• Charity
• Self-restraint
• Sacrifice
• Study of scripture
• Austerity
• Straightforwardness
• Non-violence
• Truthfulness
• Absence of anger
• Renunciation
• Peacefulness
• Absence of calumny
• Compassion for beings
• Non-covetousness
• Gentleness
• Modesty
• Absence of fickleness
• Vigor
• Forgiveness
• Fortitude
• Cleanliness
• Absence of malice
• Absence of pride

Demonic Qualities (Asuri Sampad)

Qualities leading to bondage:

• Hypocrisy
• Arrogance
• Pride
• Anger
• Harshness
• Ignorance

The Demonic Worldview

Krishna describes how those of demonic nature think:

"The universe is without truth, without foundation, without God, they say. It arose only from mutual union, driven by desire and nothing else."
Bhagavad Gita 16.8

Sound familiar? This describes a purely materialistic worldview, no higher meaning, no cosmic order, just random processes and desire.

Such people become attached to:

• Insatiable desire
• Hypocrisy
• Arrogance born of delusion
• Wrong objectives
• Immense anxiety until death
• Conviction that gratification of desire is the highest

Their thought process:

"This I have gained today. This desire I shall fulfill. This is mine, and this wealth shall also be mine. This enemy I have killed; others too I shall kill. I am the lord, I am the enjoyer, I am successful, powerful, and happy. I am rich, I am well-born. Who is equal to me?"
Bhagavad Gita 16.13-15

The Three Gates of Hell

"There are three gates to this hell, leading to the ruin of the self: desire, anger, and greed. Therefore, one should abandon these three."
Bhagavad Gita 16.21

These three, kama (desire), krodha (anger), and lobha (greed), are the root of destructive behavior.

Scripture as Guide

"One who discards scriptural injunctions and acts according to their own desires attains neither perfection, nor happiness, nor the supreme goal. Therefore, let scripture be your authority in determining what should be done and what should not be done."
Bhagavad Gita 16.23-24

Key Takeaways

• The world is like an inverted tree: Rooted in the divine, growing into matter
• Detachment is the axe: It frees us from entanglement
• Krishna is the Supreme Person: Beyond even the imperishable
• Divine qualities liberate: Cultivate fearlessness, purity, compassion
• Demonic qualities bind: Especially desire, anger, and greed
• Materialism leads to anxiety: Without purpose, life becomes torment