Krishna brings out a fundamental contrast between the divine and the demoniac. One born (abhijātasya) into demoniac (āsurīm) assets (sampadaṁ) carries deceit (dambho), arrogance (darpo), pride (abhimānaś ca), anger (krodhaḥ), harshness (pāruṣyam eva ca), and (ca) ignorance (ajñānaṁ). (BG 16.4)
It is understood (matā) that the divine (daivī) assets (sampad) lead to liberation (vimokṣāya), whereas the demoniac (āsurī) lead to bondage (nibandhāya). Krishna reassures Arjuna that he is born (abhijāto ’si) into divine assets (sampadaṁ daivīm) and therefore he need not worry (mā śucaḥ). (BG 16.5)
In this world (loke ’smin), there are two (dvau) kinds of created beings (bhūta-sargau) – the divine (daiva) and the demoniac (āsura eva ca). The divine (daivo) has already been spoken about (prokta) at length (vistaraśaḥ). In fact, the content of the Bhagavad Gita so far has been primarily geared toward developing divine qualities. Now, we should hear (śṛṇu) about the demoniac (āsuraṁ) from Krishna (me). (BG 16.6)
Here is a basic introduction to the demoniac class. It represents the lower branches of the inverted banyan tree, which are developed by the modes of passion and ignorance. The demoniac (āsurāḥ) people (janā) do not (na) know (vidur) what they should do (pravṛttiṁ ca) and what they should not do (nivṛttiṁ ca). Neither cleanliness (na śaucaṁ) nor proper conduct (nāpi cācāro) nor truth (na satyaṁ) exists (vidyate) in them (teṣu). (BG 16.7)
