The Yoga of the Division between the Divine and the Non-Divine

Krishna begins Chapter 16 by listing the divine qualities (daivi sampad) that characterize those on the path to liberation. 'Abhayam'—fearlessness, the foundation: when you're not driven by fear, you can act from wisdom. 'Sattva-saṁśuddhiḥ'—purity of being, clarity of mind and heart. 'Jñāna-yoga-vyavasthitiḥ'—steadfastness in knowledge and yoga, not just intellectual understanding but living it. Then practical expressions: 'dānam' (charity), 'damaḥ' (self-control), 'yajñaḥ' (sacrifice—acting for greater good). 'Svādhyāyaḥ'—study of sacred texts, continuous learning. 'Tapaḥ'—austerity, self-discipline. 'Ārjavam'—straightforwardness, honesty without pretense. These aren't separate practices—they form one integrated way of being. Krishna establishes the standard: divine nature leads to liberation.