The Easy Path to Demon Status

(written on January 31, 2020)

(references: BG 16.24)

From reading BG 16.24 one can understand how a person becomes a demon. The steps to how one becomes a demon are outlined below:

• Aversion to the principles of understanding the Supreme Personality of Godhead (this is the root cause of all fall downs). Aversion = a strong dislike or disinclination.

• Maya will keep sending them problems in the form of the three-fold miseries (adhibhautika: problems caused by others, adhyatmika: problems caused by the body, adhidaivika: problems caused by nature/ the actions of the demigods).

• They are in the modes of passion and ignorance.

• They disobey the instructions of the spiritual master.

• They do not care for the regulations prescribed in the Vedas.

• They show no attraction to devotional service.

Srila Prabhupada explains in the last line of the purport of Bg 16.24 how one can become free from falling into a demonic life. He says, “These are some of the defects of human society which lead to the demoniac status of life. If, however, one is able to be guided by a proper and bona fide spiritual master, who can lead one to the path of elevation, to the higher stage, then one’s life becomes successful.”