Srimad Bhagavad Gita Shloka 16.10

“Filled with insatiable desires, hypocrisy, pride, and arrogance, holding evil ideas through delusion, they act with impure resolves.”
Key Teaching: Demonic beings act with impure motives driven by desire and pride.
Theme: Guidance, Jnana Yoga, Moksha Sannyasa Yoga.
Description:
Krishna describes demonic beings as consumed by insatiable desires, hypocrisy, pride, and arrogance, acting with impure resolves due to deluded, evil ideas. This verse, continuing 16.9, addresses Arjuna’s quest (2.9). The themes of guidance, as Krishna details demonic motives, Jnana Yoga, as he emphasizes discernment, and Moksha Sannyasa Yoga, as he warns of bondage, are central.

In the Mahabharata, Duryodhana’s greed (1.3–11) embodies these traits, contrasting Arjuna’s humility (1.28–46). The teaching aligns with Jnana Yoga (14.8), condemning impure motives, and builds on destructive deeds (16.9). Krishna highlights their delusion.

Philosophically, the verse ties demonic actions to delusion, a theme refined with teachings on tamas (14.8). Arjuna’s path is clarified by rejecting impure resolves. The Gita’s focus on Moksha Sannyasa Yoga underscores liberation through purity. The verse connects to teachings on desire (3.37).

Sanjaya’s narration ensures clarity. This verse serves as a metaphor for life’s impure choices, where delusion binds. Krishna’s teaching prepares readers to act purely, aligning with moksha. The motives resonate with Duryodhana’s downfall.