FolioCorpusBhagavad-gītā

Bhagavad-gītā 16.7

प्रवृत्तिं च निवृत्तिं च जना न विदुरासुरा: । न शौचं नापि चाचारो न सत्यं तेषु विद्यते ॥ ७ ॥
pravṛttiṁ ca nivṛttiṁ ca
[pravrittim cha nivrittim cha]
janā na vidur āsurāḥ
[janaa na vidur aasuraah]
na śaucaṁ nāpi cācāro
[na shaucham naapi chaachaaro]
na satyaṁ teṣu vidyate
[na satyam teshu vidyate]
Word-for-word
pravṛttim — acting properly ca — also nivṛttim — not acting improperly ca — and janāḥ — persons na — never viduḥ — know āsurāḥ — of demoniac quality na — never śaucam — cleanliness na — nor api — also ca — and ācāraḥ — behavior na — never satyam — truth teṣu — in them vidyate — there is .
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
pravṛttiṁ ca nivṛttiṁ ca
pravṛttim
acting properly
ca
also
nivṛttim
not acting improperly
ca
and
janā na vidur āsurāḥ
janāḥ
persons
na
never
viduḥ
know
āsurāḥ
of demoniac quality
na śaucaṁ nāpi cācāro
na
never
śaucam
cleanliness
na
nor
api
also
ca
and
ācāraḥ
behavior
na satyaṁ teṣu vidyate
na
never
satyam
truth
teṣu
in them
vidyate
there is .
Important Words
  • pravṛttim — acting properly
    Pra-vṛtti — moving forward, engaging. In its technical sense: the positive prescriptions of scripture, what one should do. The demoniac cannot tell prescribed action from invented action.
  • nivṛttim — not acting improperly
    Ni-vṛtti — turning back, withdrawal. The negative side of the same teaching: what one should not do, what one should desist from. Together pravṛtti and nivṛtti form scripture's full map.
  • śaucam — cleanliness
    External and internal purity. The same word listed among divine qualities in 16.1. Its complete absence is a marker of the āsura. Cleanliness here is not Western hygiene but the alignment of body, mind, and conduct with the sacred.
  • ācāraḥ — behavior
    Sadācāra — proper conduct as established by elders and scripture. The demoniac live without this anchor. Ācāra is what holds civilization together when no one is watching; its loss is the loss of all subtle restraint.
  • satyam — truth
    Of all qualities, the absence of satya is the most diagnostic. A culture or person without truth has lost contact with reality itself. The Vedic tradition holds satyam as the very foundation; sarve dharmāḥ satya-pratiṣṭhitāḥ.
Those who are demoniac do not know what is to be done and what is not to be done. Neither cleanliness nor proper behavior nor truth is found in them.
Classical Sanskrit analysis शास्त्रीय विश्लेषण
How Sanskrit scholars read this verse — split, rearranged, grammar-tagged. For the plain English distilled meaning, jump to Plain meaning below.
Auto-generated study layers — original analysis of the public-domain śloka. Review against a published edition for academic work.
Plain meaning (तात्पर्य · Tātparya)
The first symptom Kṛṣṇa names is the most damning: āsuras lack the very faculty of moral discrimination — they do not know what to pursue and what to leave alone. From that root failure follow visible deficits: impurity, broken conduct, untruth.
Further notes (विवरण · Vivaraṇa)
'Pravṛtti / nivṛtti' is the classical pair of dharma-śāstra: what one should do, what one should refrain from. Cf. BG 18.30 where buddhi in sattva knows pravṛtti and nivṛtti correctly. The triplet that follows — śauca, ācāra, satya — is a near-minimal dharma checklist (cf. Manu 6.92, where these belong to sādhāraṇa-dharma, the duties incumbent on all). The verse's tone is forensic, not yet polemical.
Prose order (अन्वय · Anvaya)
आसुराः जनाः प्रवृत्तिम् निवृत्तिम् च न विदुः । तेषु न शौचम्, न अपि आचारः, न च सत्यम् विद्यते ।
āsurāḥ janāḥ pravṛttim nivṛttim ca na viduḥ | teṣu na śaucam, na api ācāraḥ, na ca satyam vidyate |
Demonic persons do not know what is to be done and what is to be avoided. Neither cleanliness, nor proper conduct, nor truth is found in them.
Word split (पदच्छेद · Padaccheda)
प्रवृत्तिम् च निवृत्तिम् च जनाः न विदुः आसुराः । न शौचम् न अपि च आचारः न सत्यम् तेषु विद्यते ॥
pravṛttim ca nivṛttim ca janāḥ na viduḥ āsurāḥ | na śaucam na api ca ācāraḥ na satyam teṣu vidyate ||
Grammar (व्याकरण · Vyākaraṇa)
SanskritIASTGrammarMeaning
प्रवृत्तिम् pravṛttim प्र + √वृत् → प्रवृत्ति (f.) acc.sg. (accusative singular) right action, what should be undertaken
च ca ind. (indeclinable) and
निवृत्तिम् nivṛttim नि + √वृत् → निवृत्ति (f.) acc.sg. (accusative singular) abstention, what should be avoided
जनाः janāḥ जन (m.) nom.pl. (nominative plural) people
न na ind. (negation) not
विदुः viduḥ √विद् perf. (perfect) 3pl.par. (used as pres. (present)) they know
आसुराः āsurāḥ आसुर (adj.) nom.pl. (nominative plural)m. demonic (ones)
शौचम् śaucam शौच (n.) nom.sg. (nominative singular) purity, cleanliness
अपि api ind. (indeclinable) also, even
आचारः ācāraḥ आ + √चर् → आचार (m.) nom.sg. (nominative singular) proper conduct, right behaviour
सत्यम् satyam सत्य (n.) nom.sg. (nominative singular) truth, truthfulness
तेषु teṣu तद् pron. (pronoun) loc.pl. (locative plural)m. in them
विद्यते vidyate √विद् pass. (passive) pres. (present) 3sg., (with na = is not found) is found
Purport

In every civilized human society there is some set of scriptural rules and regulations which is followed from the beginning. Especially among the Āryans, those who adopt the Vedic civilization and who are known as the most advanced civilized peoples, those who do not follow the scriptural injunctions are supposed to be demons. Therefore it is stated here that the demons do not know the scriptural rules, nor do they have any inclination to follow them. Most of them do not know them, and even if some of them know, they have not the tendency to follow them. They have no faith, nor are they willing to act in terms of the Vedic injunctions. The demons are not clean, either externally or internally. One should always be careful to keep his body clean by bathing, brushing teeth, shaving, changing clothes, etc. As far as internal cleanliness is concerned, one should always remember the holy names of God and chant Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare. The demons neither like nor follow all these rules for external and internal cleanliness. As for behavior, there are many rules and regulations guiding human behavior, such as the Manu-saṁhitā, which is the law of the human race. Even up to today, those who are Hindu follow the Manu-saṁhitā. Laws of inheritance and other legalities are derived from this book. Now, in the Manu-saṁhitā it is clearly stated that a woman should not be given freedom. That does not mean that women are to be kept as slaves, but they are like children. Children are not given freedom, but that does not mean that they are kept as slaves. The demons have now neglected such injunctions, and they think that women should be given as much freedom as men. However, this has not improved the social condition of the world. Actually, a woman should be given protection at every stage of life. She should be given protection by the father in her younger days, by the husband in her youth, and by the grownup sons in her old age. This is proper social behavior according to the Manu-saṁhitā. But modern education has artificially devised a puffed-up concept of womanly life, and therefore marriage is practically now an imagination in human society. The social condition of women is thus not very good now, although those who are married are in a better condition than those who are proclaiming their so-called freedom. The demons, therefore, do not accept any instruction which is good for society, and because they do not follow the experience of great sages and the rules and regulations laid down by the sages, the social condition of the demoniac people is very miserable.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
7. Demonic people do not understand dharma and adharma. They do not have cleanliness, regulated activities, or truthfulness.
Commentary

Pravṛttim means dharma and nivṛttim means adharma.

Baladeva Vidyābhūṣaṇa Gauḍīya
Translation
7. Demonic people do not understand dharma and adharma. They do not have cleanliness, regulated activities, or truthfulness.
Commentary

In twelve verses, the Lord discusses the demonic group. The demonic persons do not know what is to be performed as dharma and what is to be avoided because it is adharma. The use of the word ca twice indicates that they do not also know the scriptural injunctions for dharma and prohibitions of adharma. This is because they do not have any regard for the Vedas. They do not have internal or external cleanliness (śaucam) necessary for following vedic injuntions. They do not have conduct (ācāraḥ) according the rules of Manu and others. They do not have truth (satyam), words telling the facts for the benefit of living entities. Their teachings are like the sound of jackels and vultures.

Study Notes — Gauranga Priya Dāsa
Gauranga Priya Dāsa Study
Bhakti-śāstrī Notes, ISKCON Chowpatty (2009)
Theme

This verse establishes the Demoniac nature

Don’t know what is to be done and not to be done/Do not follow sastras.
Unclean – he neither likes nor follow these rules
Improper behavior
Untruthful
Self-centered

Focus of Learning

(a) Don’t know what is to be done and not to be done / Do not follow sastras

Acts whimsically and not according to set of scriptural rules and regulations set-up for a civilized society
Either do not know scriptural rules and regulations
Even if knows, have no inclination to follow
Lack of faith

▪ in Vedas – No faith in Vedic injunction

▪ in Sages – Do not accept any instructions or experiences of great sages – this

causes ‘miserable social condition’ of demoniac people

Aryans – They are the most advanced civilized people and they adopt the Vedic injunctions as it is

PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF SECTION II

According to one’s level of general detachment and selflessness he is an eligible candidate for liberation
In one sense, the real root of demoniac mentality is the inner choice of the soul to be “for Krishna” or, “against Krishna”. All subsequent choices are really a result of this foundational one. Thus the divine and demoniac natures ultimately reflect the soul’s inner direction towards Krishna
Two broad sections of people who fit the general description of the demoniac and does not see Krishna’s energies in connection with Him
Materialists – See the world as theirs to enjoy, thus disconnected with Him
Impersonalists – Ultimately say that material world does not exist, it has no connection to the Absolute
Classical Ācāryas
Śrī Śaṅkarācārya Classical
Translation
16.7 Na, niether; do the asurah, demoniacal; janah, persons; viduh, understand; pravritim, what is to be done with regard to that which is a means to the human ends; and nivirttim, what is not to be done, the opposite of that (former) and from which source of evil one should desist. Nor only do they not know what is to be done and what is not to be done, na, nor; does saucam, purity; na api, or even; acarah, good conduct; or satyam, truthfulness; vidyate, exist; tesu, in them. The demons are verily bereft of purity and good conduct; they are deceitful and given to speaking lies. Further,
Śrī Rāmānujācārya Classical
Translation
16.7 The demoniac men do not know the 'path of action and renunciation,' viz., the Vedic Dharma that leads to prosperity and final release. 'Cleanliness' is the competence for performing Vedic rites as established in the Sastras. That 'cleanliness,' be it external or internal, is alien to the demoniac. Nor 'right conduct,' viz., that right conduct such as twilight prayers (Sandhya-vandana) etc., by means of which this internal and external cleanliness arises - even that right conduct is alien to them. For it is declared in: 'He who does not perform twilight prayers, is always unholy and is unfit for any rites' (Daksha Sm., 2.23). Likewise, 'truth' is not found among them, viz., that truthful speech, which is conducive to the welfare of beings and which is in accordance with one's actual knowledge, does not characterise them. Moreover:
Śrī Abhinavagupta Classical
Translation
16.7 Pravrttim etc. Origin : i.e. wherefrom this [universe] is born. Withdrawal : i.e. into what this gets dissolved.
Swami Sivananda Classical
Translation
16.7 The demoniacal know not what to do and what to refrain from; neither purity, nor right conduct nor truth is found in them.
Commentary

16.7 प्रवृत्तिम् action? च and? निवृत्तिम् inaction? च and? जनाः men? न not? विदुः know? आसुराः the demoniac? न not? शौचम् purity? न not? अपि also? च and? आचारः (right) conduct? न not? सत्यम् truth? तेषु in them? विद्यते is.Commentary The demoniacal do not understand the nature of action and inaction (right abstinence). The idea of a Self apart from the body? doing nothing (actionless) but imply watching the play of the Gunas is something incomprehensible to them. They have no consideration for the interest of others. They work for the sake of their bodies or sensual enjoyment. They are greedy? selfish and cruel. Therefore? they have neither good conduct nor good behaviour. They are untruthful? unjust and impure. They do not know what actions they should do in order to attain the goal of life or end of human existence? nor from what actions they should refrain to ward off,evil.Those who are endowed with demoniacal alities are sunk in the mire of ignorance. They are totally ignorant of what is prescribed or what is prohibited action. They have not the least idea of what purity or cleanliness is. Their actions are crooked. They know neither right Pravritti nor right Nivritti. They have no idea of virtue or vice or of scriptural injunctions or prohibitions. They will never speak loving words. They are hypocrites and liars.

Swami Gambhīrānanda Classical
Translation
16.7 Neither do the demoniacal persons under-stand what is to be done and what is not to be done; nor does purity, or even good conduct or truthfulness exist in them.
Shri Purohit Swami Classical
Translation
16.7 The godless do not know how to act or how to renounce. They have neither purity nor truth. They do not understand the right principles of conduct.
Related values & verses
Related values
Ahimsa (Non-violence / Compassion)Arjava (Simplicity / Straightforwardness)Tapas (Austerity / Discipline)Guru Bhakti (Reverence for Teacher)Atma Nigraha (Self-control)Daksya (Resourcefulness / Skill)Abhaya (Fearlessness)
Related verses
BG 16.24 BG 18.30 BG 18.32 SB 5.5.4 SB 7.5.30 SB 11.19.40 CC Madhya 22.87 CC Madhya 19.167 CC Antya 4.176 Muṇḍaka Upaniṣad 3.1.5Taittirīya Upaniṣad 1.11.1
Concepts
Dharma
Study Q&A referencing this verse
Related lectures
Personal Guidance
Those of demoniac nature do not know what to do, what not to do; cleanliness, proper behavior, truth — none are found in them.
Practical Applications
  • Cultivate the basics — knowing what to do, what not to do.
  • Don't dismiss 'cleanliness, proper behavior, truth' as conventional.
  • Treat conventional virtues as foundational.
Reflection Questions
  • Where have I dismissed conventional virtues?
  • What grounding do they restore?
Analogy

A traveler at a fork in the road who cannot read the signpost. Pravṛtti and nivṛtti — what to do and what not to do — are the two arrows on the post. The demoniac do not read; they wander whichever way the wind of desire blows, and arrive nowhere worth arriving.

Stories
Kaṁsa's Lost Compass

Kaṁsa knew that Devakī's child would kill him — a clear sign of what not to do, namely persecute her. Yet he imprisoned his sister, murdered six newborns, and pursued Kṛṣṇa for years.

He was not stupid; he was a scholar of statecraft and an able administrator of Mathurā. But pravṛtti-nivṛtti viduḥ — knowing what to do and what not to do — had collapsed in him. Cleanliness, proper behavior, truth — none remained. The Bhāgavatam shows the inevitable end.

📝 My note

Source: vedabase.io

← Read full Chapter 16