Video Talks on the Bhagavad Gita

by Swami Nirmalananda Giri

*Learn to Lead a Successful Spiritual Life*

Talk 75–Qualities of Demonic Men

The seventy-fifth in a series of talks by Swami Nirmalananda Giri (Abbot George Burke) on the Bhagavad Gita, India’s most famous scripture: the unforgettable dialog between Sri Krishna and Arjuna about the essence of spiritual life.

In this talk, continuing with Chapter 16:07, Swamiji discusses what devas and asuras are, and what demonic men and women are like.

For those wishing to make a deeper study of the Gita, Swamiji’s commentary on the Gita, The Bhagavad Gita for Awakening: A Practical Commentary for Leading a Successful Spiritual Life can be found at Amazon.com.

Here are the Gita verses (16:07–16:11) covered in this talk:

Those of demonic nature know
Not what to do or refrain from;
Purity is not found in them,
Nor is good conduct, nor is truth. (7)

“The universe is without truth,
Without a basis, without God,
Produced by mutual union,
With lust for cause–what else?” say they. (8)

Holding this view, these ruined souls
Small-minded and of cruel deeds
Arise as the enemies of
The world, bent on its destruction. (9)

 

Filled with insatiable desires,
Full of hypocrisy, pride, and
Arrogance, holding evil thoughts
Through delusion, they foully work. (10)

Beset with immense cares ending
Only with death, and regarding
Gratification of lust as
The highest–feeling it is all; (11)

Here are the main points from this talk Qualities of Demonic Men:

Swami Nirmalananda dives deep into the Gita’s sobering portrait of the asuric (demonic) nature—not as fantasy, but as a real psychological and spiritual condition that can overtake any person who turns away from truth, dharma, and higher consciousness.

This talk explores the mindset, worldview, and behaviors of those caught in darkness: how they think, how they distort truth, and how their inner world becomes toxic.

⚠️ Importantly, Swami Nirmalananda warns that none of us are immune to this descent, and emphasizes the vigilance, self-honesty, and spiritual integrity needed to avoid it. Through vivid metaphors and personal anecdotes, he reminds us that even those who once shined with divine light can fall into ruin if they abandon the path.

  • Asuric nature is not essential but acquired: Everyone is ultimately divine, but some become willfully blind to the light and actively resist truth.
  • The asuric person is morally confused: They no longer know right from wrong—or deliberately reject it. Some even lose the ability to distinguish truth from falsehood.
  • They deny moral and cosmic order: Their worldview is that life is without purpose, God, or truth—chaotic and random. This is not philosophy, Swami says, but spiritual illness.
  • Behavior reflects this darkness: Such people are often aggressive, cruel, envious, hypocritical, and hostile to those who walk in light. Their conduct is destructive inwardly and outwardly.
  • Desire and anger become their fuel: They are bound by endless desires and rage, finding their identity in stimulation, indulgence, and control.
  • They corrupt the environment around them: Like skunks spreading stench, they degrade collective consciousness simply by their presence. Swami urges us to turn away from such people.
  • Even spiritual aspirants can fall: Swamiji recounts a story of a man who once modeled for Jesus in Da Vinci’s Last Supper, but later posed for Judas—a powerful reminder that anyone can decline spiritually without vigilance.
  • A powerful metaphor: Like a bus driver crossing an icy bridge, we must drive down the center with fear and care—never assuming we are immune to danger.
  • Religious platitudes won’t save us: Politeness and “positivity” are not enough—we must face the real potential for regression and choose the path of light with full awareness.
  • Final call to action: Do not play with shadows. Even the beginnings of spiritual laziness, hypocrisy, or confusion can snowball into spiritual collapse. Choose light, consistently.

Below is an audio version of this talk from our Gita Talks Podcast

Author: Swami Nirmalananda Giri

Swami Nirmalananda Giri (Abbot George Burke)

Swami Nirmalananda Giri, founder of Light of the Spirit Monastery, has spent over six decades immersed in the study and practice of Yoga and and the spiritual traditions of East and West. He is the author of more than 30 books on meditation, practical spiritual life and Sanatana Dharma. Learn more »