Quiz · 16.7–16.20
The demonic mind
Cover the answer. Read the Devanagari of the verse before you open it.
1
In 16.8, what case are asatyam (असत्यम्), apratiṣṭham (अप्रतिष्ठम्), and anīśvaram (अनीश्वरम्), and what do they describe?
Answer
Accusative singular neuter. They agree with jagat (जगत्), the world, which is what they say it is: without truth, without a foundation, without a lord.
2
jagat (जगत्) stands in front of āhuḥ (आहुः) in 16.8. What is recited, and which sandhi makes it?
Answer
jagad āhuḥ (जगदाहुः). t (त्) before a vowel becomes d (द्). The word is still jagat (जगत्). Do not read jagad (जगद्) as the dictionary form.
3
What does 16.8 say, in one sentence?
Answer
They say the world is without truth, without a foundation, and without a lord, arisen by mutual union, and, what else, caused by desire.
4
Where do 16.7–16.20 sit in the talk between Arjuna and Kṛṣṇa (कृष्ण)?
Answer
Kṛṣṇa (कृष्ण) is still speaking, and Arjuna is still listening. Demonic people do not know engaging and withdrawal, and purity, right conduct, and truth are not found in them. They say the world has no truth, no foundation, and no lord. Desire and anger, and the hoarding of wealth, drive what they do and what they tell themselves. He hurls those who hate him into demonic wombs, and, not reaching him, they go to a lower course.
5
Say the three negations of 16.8 back. Which word fails the sitting if it comes out wrong?
Answer
असत्यम् अप्रतिष्ठम् अनीश्वरम् asatyam apratiṣṭham anīśvaram. If anīśvaram (अनीश्वरम्) comes out as "a lord," or if any one of the three is left off, stay here.