Bhagavad Gita Chapter 7, Verse 15

English Translation

The foolish evildoers, who are the most depraved among men, who are deprived of (their) wisdom by Maya, and who resort to demoniacal ways, do not take refuge in Me.

Detailed Commentary

।।7.15।। **Explanation** “*Na mām duṣkṛtino mūḍhāḥ prapadyante narādhamāḥ*” – Those who are *duṣkṛti* and *mūḍha* do not take refuge in Bhagavan. *Duṣkṛti* are those who develop attachment to perishable things and desire unobtained things. When desires are fulfilled, greed arises, and when desires are obstructed, anger arises. Those individuals who, ensnared by desire, perform wrong actions; who, trapped by greed, commit sins such as lying, deceit, and dishonesty; and who, driven by anger, resort to violence – these are the *duṣkṛti*. When a person begins to attribute importance to any power other than Bhagavan, then their desires arise. This causes them to become ensnared in *Maya*. Such people do not take refuge in Bhagavan, but rather seek refuge in perishable things. Those who are unable to distinguish between right and wrong due to an excess of *Tamoguṇa* are called *mūḍha* (deluded). These *duṣkṛti* and *mūḍha* individuals cannot approach Bhagavan. The term “*narādhamāḥ*” implies that these individuals are lower even than animals. Animals remain within their natural bounds, but these do not. Such deluded persons proceed towards hell and animal *yoni*s. Those whose wisdom is stolen by *Maya* due to their विवेक (discriminative intellect) being veiled do not take refuge in Bhagavan. In another sense, those whose wisdom is snatched away by *Maya* remain attached only to transient things. People who give importance to their very life force, and even more so to wealth, live in arrogance. Such an individual attains *āsurabhāva* (demonic nature). **Special Note** Bhagavan has stated that *duṣkṛti* do not take refuge in Him, and in the Ninth Chapter, He states that even a great sinner (*durāchārī*), if he worships with exclusive devotion (*ananya bhāva*), becomes righteous. The resolution to this is that Bhagavan’s statement, “*api chet*” (even if), means that taking refuge in Bhagavan is not forbidden for a sinner. Bhagavan is equal to all beings; His grace is equal to all. Righteous conduct (*sadāchār*) and unrighteous conduct (*durāchār*) are actions performed by beings. In reality, they are eternally pure fragments (*aṁśa*) of Bhagavan. For some reason, if they take refuge, Bhagavan accepts them. Bhagavan’s love and grace are alike. Bhagavan purifies everyone. *Sukṛti* and *duṣkṛti* depend on whether one is facing Bhagavan (*sammukha*) or turned away from Him (*vimukha*). One who is facing Bhagavan is *sukṛti*, and one who is turned away is *duṣkṛti*. Exclusive devotion (*ananyatā*) towards Bhagavan is boundless, and through it, an individual quickly becomes pure. **Connection** In the previous verse, Bhagavan stated that *duṣkṛti* do not take refuge in Him. Now, He explains who *does* take refuge.