The Daivī-Āsurī Divide: A Bhagavad Gita 16th Chapter Framework for Diagnosing Civilizational Health and Cultivating Ethical Resilience in an Age of Crisis

Abstract

Purpose: The Sixteenth Chapter, with its explicit delineation of divine (daivī) and demoniac (āsurī) traits, provides a powerful ethical framework perfectly suited for a multi-faceted analysis aimed at societal transformation. The purpose of this research analysis-based case study is to utilize the sixteenth chapter of the Bhagavad Gita as a diagnostic framework for evaluating modern civilizational health. By delineating the contrast between divine (daivī) and demoniac (āsurī) traits, the study seeks to identify the root causes of contemporary global crises. Ultimately, the paper aims to propose a transformative "New Ethics" that fosters individual resilience and collective flourishing through the conscious cultivation of virtuous qualities.

Methodology: This exploratory case study employs a qualitative research methodology, synthesizing data from diverse scholarly and digital repositories—including Google Scholar, authoritative web sources, and generative AI platforms (GPTs). The gathered information is systematically evaluated through established analytical frameworks aligned with the study’s core objectives.

Results/Analysis: The analysis identifies a systemic correlation between the rise of "demoniac" traits—such as insatiable greed and arrogance—and the escalating global crises of the modern era. By mapping these scriptural archetypes onto contemporary social and economic behaviors, the research demonstrates that civilizational decline is primarily a failure of internal character. The results conclude that a deliberate shift toward "divine" virtues is the only viable mechanism for building long-term ethical resilience and collective stability.

Originality/Value: The originality of this research lies in its novel application of the Bhagavad Gita’s ancient ethical dualism as a systematic diagnostic tool for modern, large-scale civilizational crises. Its primary value exists in bridging the gap between spiritual wisdom and practical governance, offering a measurable "Daivī-Āsurī" framework to cultivate institutional resilience and collective ethical health in an increasingly volatile world.

Type of Paper: Qualitative Exploratory Research Analysis.