Asurya Sampadaadhyaya Punse Deya Na Karahichit ||210|| It should be given to those with righteous qualities (Daivi Sampada) and never to those who are unrighteous or wicked (Asuri Sampada). Shreemad Bhagwat Gita explains these Daivi and Asuri qualities. I have additionally included Ramanuja's commentary from Gita Bhasya upon these Shlokas for further clarification: 'Fearlessness, purity of mind, devotion to meditation on the knowledge (of the self), alms-giving, self control, worship, study of Vedas, austerity, uprightedness: Non-injury, truth, freedom from anger, renunciation, tranquillity, non-slandering of others, compassion to all beings, freedom from desire, gentleness, the sense of shame, freedom from fickleness; grandeur, patience, fortitude, purity, freedom from hatred, and from over-pride - these, O Arjuna, belong to him who is born to a divine destiny.' 'Pomposity, arrogance, self-conceit, wrath, rudeness and ignorance - these, O Arjuna, belong to him who is born to a demoniac destiny. The divine destiny is deemed to lend to liberation, the demoniac to bondage. Grieve not, O Arjuna, for you are born to a divine destiny.' Bhagwat Gita, Ch XVI 1-5. Ramanuja's Commentary: Abheyam: Fearlessness - 'Fear' is the pain arising from the awareness of the cause which brings about pain in the form of either dissociation from the objects of attachment or association with the objects of aversion. The absence of which is 'fearlessness'. Satvasanshudhviha: 'Purity of mind' is the condition of Satva, viz. the state of the internal organ being untouched by Rajas and Tamas. Gnanyogavyavasthitiha: 'Devotion to meditation on the knowledge (of the self)' is firm adherence to the discrimination between the pure nature of the self and Prakriti. Danam: 'Alms-giving' is the giving away of one's wealth earned through right means to the deserving. Damaha: 'Self-control' is the practice of withdrawal of the mind from sense objects. Yagnaha: 'Worship' is the performance of the fivefold duties (sacrifices) etc., of life in the spirit of worship of the Lord without attachment to the fruits. Svadhyaya: 'Study of the Vedas' is devotion to Vedic study with the conviction that all teachings of the Vedas deal with the Lord, with his glorious nature and with the mode of worshipping him. Tapaha: 'Austerity' is the practice of penance's like Kuchra, Chandrayana, vow on the twelfth day of the lunar fortnight, etc., which foster capability for performing acts pleasing to the Lord. Arjavam: 'Uprightedness' consists of the oneness of thought, word and deed in one's dealings with others. Ahimsa: 'Non-injury' is abstaining from injury to others. Satyam: 'Truth' is communication by words of what one knows for certain and what is conducive to the good of others. Akrodhaha: 'Freedom from anger' is the absence in oneself of the mental state which, if permitted, leads to the injury of others. Tyagaha: 'Renunciation' is the abandonment of everything that is contrary to the injury of others. Shantiha: 'Tranquillity' is the practice of controlling the senses from their prosperity towards sense objects. Apaishunam: 'Not slandering others' means refraining oneself from speech that may cause evil to others. Daya Bhuteshu: 'Compassion to all living beings' means one's incapacity to stand the suffering of others. Aloluptvam: means freedom from desire for sense-objects. Mardavam: 'Gentleness' means absence of harshness, and being worthy of association with the good. Hriha: 'Sense of shame' is shrinking from doing what should not be done. Achapalam: means being unattracted by objects enjoyable by the senses even when they are at hand. Tejaha: 'Grandeur' is the quality by virtue of which one cannot be overpowered by the wicked. Kshama: 'Forgiveness' is the freedom from feelings of antagonism towards others even when they cause injury to oneself. Dhrutiha: 'Fortitude' is the sense of determination to do one's own duty even under conditions of anger. Saucham: 'Purity' is fitness of the body and the mind as prescribed in the scriptures for the performance of scared deeds. Adroha: 'Freedom from hatred' is the non-interference with others, viz. absence of interference in the actions of others according to their wish. Natimanita: 'Over pride' is having unbridled self-esteem; freedom from misplaced pride is meant here. These are the virtues that are found in one who is born for the 'divine destiny' - Daivi Sampada. Such persons are devoted to carrying out the commandments of the Lord. Dambhaha: 'Pomposity' is the practice of Dharma for earning a reputation of righteousness. Darpaha: 'Arrogance' is the elation caused by the pleasures of the sense-objects and the consequent inability to discriminate between what ought to be done. Atimanaha: 'Self conceit' is the estimation of oneself in a measure not warranted by one's education and birth. Krodhaha: 'Wrath' is the sense of antagonism causing injury to others. Paushyam: 'Rudeness' is the nature of causing grief to Sadhus. Agnanam: 'Ignorance' is the incapacity to discriminate between high and low forms of conduct and principles, and also between what ought to be done and what ought not to be done. These are the qualities that are found in one born of a 'demoniac destiny' - Asuri Sampada. Asuras are those who rebel against the commandments of the Lord. Thus, this Shikshapatri should not be given to those who are unrighteous. By giving it to such a person, the Shikshapatri can often be abused and poorly looked after. The Shikshapatri is God's very form and so should be treated with such respect and therefore only given to those who can understand this and look after it properly.