Understanding the Demonic Tendencies in Modern Society and the Role of Self-Knowledge and Devotion

The meat industry stands out as one of the most ethically destructive industries on the planet. When individuals support it, they unknowingly partake in practices that could be considered unethical or even evil. This article delves into the concept of demonic tendencies as defined in the ancient text, Bhagavad Gita, and explores how modern society and its institutions reflect these descriptions.

The Demonic Tendencies in Modern Society

The classification of individuals into different societal roles, as presented in the text of the Bhagavad Gita, highlights the three major classes of people: ungodly people (demoniac), godly people (devotees), and the innocent mindless masses. The general public is often considered innocent because they are not inherently evil but are influenced by powerful forces, whether these be ungodly leaders or self-serving institutions.

The Bhagavad Gita vividly describes the demonic class, offering insights into the mindset and behaviors of individuals who are driven by sense gratification and ungodly desires. This description is strikingly relevant to modern society, where the pursuit of pleasure often trumps ethical considerations.

The Descriptions in the Bhagavad Gita

Demoniac behavior, as described in the Bhagavad Gita, includes a lack of understanding what is right and what is wrong, disregard for propriety, and a tendency to engage in unbeneficial and destructive actions. For instance:

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. — Bg 16.7

This description aptly captures behaviors often seen in society, such as the indiscriminate hoarding of goods, a lack of consideration for public health, and a disregard for social norms. The Bhagavad Gita further elaborates:

They say that this world is unreal with no foundation, no God in control. They say it is produced of sex desire and has no cause other than lust. — Bg. 16.8

These ideas reflect a philosophy that contradicts traditional spiritual and ethical teachings, instead promoting a self-centered and chaotic worldview.

Comparing Modern Practices with the Bhagavad Gita

The Bhagavad Gita also describes how demoniac individuals engage in harmful and destructive activities, such as:

Following such conclusions the demoniac who are lost to themselves and who have no intelligence engage in unbeneficial horrible works meant to destroy the world. — Bg. 16.9

This critique is particularly relevant to the meat industry, where practices like factory farming and the cruel treatment of animals are often justified in the name of profit or convenience. The Bhagavad Gita further elaborates on the demonic mindset and its impact on society:

The demoniac person thinks:... This is the supreme necessity of human civilization. Thus until the end of life their anxiety is immeasurable. Bound by a network of hundreds of thousands of desires and absorbed in lust and anger they secure money by illegal means for sense gratification. — Bg. 16.11-12

These verses resonate with the exploitation and environmental degradation often associated with large corporations and industries driven by unregulated greed.

The Role of Scriptural Injunctions and Devotion

The text of the Bhagavad Gita also emphasizes the importance of adhering to scriptural injunctions and engaging in spiritual practices to counteract the influence of the demoniac:

He who discards scriptural injunctions and acts according to his own whims attains neither perfection nor happiness nor the supreme destination. — Bg. 16.23

Srila Prabhupada, a prominent figure in the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition, further elaborates on the importance of scriptural knowledge and devotion. He maintains that:

The Bible and Koran are low class scripture for low class people, and anyone without faith in the Vedas is to be considered an atheist.

According to Srila Prabhupada, authentic spiritual knowledge comes from the Vedas, and engaging in devotional practices is the path to spiritual perfection. He states that:

As stated in the Fifteenth Chapter all the rules and regulations of the Vedas are meant for knowing Krishna. If one understands Krishna from the Bhagavad-gita and becomes situated in Krishna consciousness engaging himself in devotional service he has reached the highest perfection of knowledge offered by the Vedic literature.

Prabhupada’s teachings inspire individuals to seek genuine knowledge and spiritual direction, guiding them away from demagoguery and toward a path of self-realization and ethical living.

Conclusion

The Bhagavad Gita offers timeless insights into the nature of human behavior and societal structures. Understanding and applying its teachings can help individuals and society as a whole contribute to a more ethical and harmonious existence. By promoting self-knowledge and devotion, we can counteract the influences of the demonic and create a world that benefits both the individual and the collective.