Gita Bhashya -Sankara 649

Shri Sankara's Gita Bhashya

(Sri Sankaracharya's Commentary on the Gita)

CHAPTER -16

Daivasura-Sampat-Vibhaga-Yogah (THE MODE OF DIVIDING DIVINE AND DEMONIAC PROPERTIES) In the Ninth Chapter were indicated three (different) natures belonging to sentient beings, namely, the Divine, the Asuric (demo­ niac) and the Rāksasic (devilish). With a view to explaining them in full, the (present) Chapter commencing with the words, "Fearlessness, purity of heart" is begun. Of these, the Divine nature makes for liberation from samsāra, while the Asuric and the Rāksasic lead to bondage. And so, they are being explain­ ed, in order that the Divine may be acquired and the other two given up. Śrī Bhagavān-uvāca Abhayain sattva-samśuddhir-jMna-yoga-vyavasthitih Dānam damaśca yajñāśca svādhyāyas-tapa ārjavam The Blessed Lord said- 1. Fearlessness, purity of heart, steadfastness in knowledge and Yoga, giving away in charity, selfrestraint, yajfta, study of one's own Scriptures, austerity, uprightness;