Bhagavad Gita Chapter 16, Verse 8

English Translation

They say that the world is unreal, it has no basis, it is without a God. It is born of mutual union brought about by passion! What other (cause can there be)?

Detailed Commentary

Asatyam – Those of an Asuri nature declare this world to be Asatyam, meaning there is no truth whatsoever within it. They do not accept as true auspicious actions such as Yajna, Dana, Tapas, Dhyana, Swadhyaya, Tirtha, Vrata, etc. They consider these to be mere delusion. Apratishtham te jagad ahur Anishwaram – In this world, theistic people believe in Dharma, Ishwara, the afterlife (rebirth), and so forth. However, people of Asuri nature have no Shraddha (faith) in Dharma, Ishwara, etc. Hence, they believe that in this world, there is no limit or order (Maryada) of Dharma-Adharma, Punya-Papa. They call this world masterless, meaning it has no creator or ruler, and no one (Ishwara) exists to dispense the fruits of Punya (merit) and Papa (sin). Aparaspara sambhootam kimanyat kamahetukam – They assert that when desire (Kama) arose between man and woman, this world was born from their mutual union. Kama (desire) alone is the cause of this world. For this, there is no need for Ishwara or Prarabdha (destiny). To consider Ishwara as the cause in this matter is a pretense; it is merely to mislead the world. Connection – Where good sentiments (Sadbhava) are lost, there good thoughts (Sad-vichara) do not arise. This will now be explained in the following Shloka.