In chapter 15, Krishna described the field of actions as an inverted banyan tree, whose branches are developed and nourished by the modes of material nature. Krishna now brings our attention to the higher and the lower branches of the tree.

Krishna gives an overview of the qualities born of the mode of goodness (representing the higher branches) first in the first three verses of chapter 16. Subsequently, Krishna gives us an elaborate sketch of the demoniac qualities (representing the lower branches), which are born of the modes of passion and ignorance.

[Sannyasi] Fearlessness (abhayaṁ), purity of existence (sattva-saṁśuddhir), installation on the platform of knowledge yoga (jñāna-yoga-vyavasthitiḥ), [Grihastha] charity (dānaṁ), controlled mind (damaś ca), sacrifice (yajñaś ca), [Brahmachari] the study of scriptures (svādhyāyas), [Vanaprastha] austerity (tapa), [all] simplicity (ārjavam), nonviolence (ahiṁsā), truth (satyam), freedom from anger (akrodhas), renunciation (tyāgaḥ), tranquillity (śāntir), aversion to faultfinding (apaiśunam), compassion for all living entities (dayā bhūteṣv), freedom from greed (aloluptvaṁ), gentleness (mārdavaṁ), modesty (hrīr), steadiness (acāpalam), [ksatriya] vigor (tejaḥ), forgiveness (kṣamā), determination (dhṛtiḥ), [vaisya] cleanliness (śaucam), freedom from aggression (adroho), [sudra] freedom from the passion for honor (nāti-mānitā) – these [26 qualities] exist (bhavanti) in one born (abhijātasya) into divine (daivīm) assets (sampadaṁ). (BG 16.1-3)

These qualities map well to the qualities necessary to support the specific varṇa (social order) and āśrama (spiritual order) in one’s progressive path to perfection.