Bhagavad Gita Chapter 16, Verse 12

English Translation

Bound by hundreds of shackles in the form of hope, giving themselves wholly to passion and anger, they endeavour to amass wealth through foul means for the enjoyment of desirable objects.

Detailed Commentary

आशापाशशतैर्बद्धाः — Individuals of an *asuri svabhava* (demonic nature) remain entangled in hundreds of bonds of hope. They are caught in numerous snares related to wealth, honor, respect, and the absence of disease (good health). Even if they possess millions of rupees, their desires never cease. They expect to gain something from *santos* (saints), Bhagavan (the Lord), and other human beings. They even hope to gain something from animals, birds, trees, plants, mountains, and oceans. The desire to acquire always remains in their minds. The worldly desires of such individuals are never fulfilled. Even if they are fulfilled, it is of no avail, for either they will die, or the object of their hope will perish. Those who are bound by the ties of hope can never remain stable. However, those who are free from these bonds can reside peacefully in one place. कामक्रोधपरायणाः — Their lives revolve around *kama* (desire/lust) and *krodha* (anger). They live solely to fulfill their desires and to inflict suffering upon others through anger. *Kama* and *krodha* are essential for these individuals; without them, a person becomes inert (lifeless). According to them, life becomes a burden without desires (*kama*). In this world, only *kama* and *krodha* are meaningful. Without them, the world will not let them live. Anger forms the basis of governance; without it, no one will obey the rule. ईहन्ते कामभोगार्थमन्यायेनार्थसंचयान् — People of *asuri pravritti* (demonic tendencies) desire to accumulate wealth and indulge in sense-objects. For this, they amass wealth through *anyaya* (injustice), such as dishonesty, deception, and tax evasion. They believe that in the present age, no one can become wealthy through honesty; all the wealthy have attained their riches through injustice, theft, and similar means. Their conviction is that if one acts righteously, one will encounter sorrow, and life will become difficult. For those who desire to attain the enjoyments of *Svarga* (heaven) by acting righteously, Bhagavan has said that their attention cannot be directed towards the attainment of the *Paramatma* (Supreme Self). How then can there be certainty of *Paramatma prapti* for those who earn wealth through wrong means? However, even if they wish, they can still contemplate the attainment of the *Paramatma*, for everyone is given this choice. Connection: How the desires of those with an *asuri svabhava*, influenced by greed, anger, and arrogance, manifest will be described in the following three verses.