From Eros to Dev, from Thanatos to Danav: How to Understand and Transcend the Dualistic Forces of Human Psychology

It would be fascinating to compare the concepts of Dev and Danav in Indian psychology to Eros and Thanatos in Western psychology. Both ideas discuss the dualism of human life, but they do so from various angles and traditions.?

Sigmund Freud, the creator of psychoanalysis, used the phrases Eros and Thanatos to characterize the two conflicting forces that shape human behavior. The instinct for pleasure, love, creativity, and survival is known as Eros. The death instinct, also known as Thanatos, is what drives hostility, violence, and annihilation.?

Dev and Danav are phrases taken from the Vedas and Puranas, ancient Indian texts, to define the two categories of entities that make up the cosmos. The kind gods known as Devs support virtue, happiness, order, and harmony. Danavs are wicked demons that sow discord, strife, evil, and sorrow.

The opposites of good and evil, light and dark, and creation and disintegration that exist in both human nature and the universe are represented by Eros and Thanatos & Dev and Danav. However, there are certain distinctions between Western and Indian psychology in terms of how they are seen and articulated.

Eros and Thanatos are viewed as impulses that are present in every person from birth in Western psychology. Since they clash frequently, psychological tension and worry are produced. Eros and Thanatos need to be in a healthy equilibrium, according to Freud, for mental wellness.

Dev and Danav are potentialities that, according to Indian psychology, may be either awakened or suppressed by a person's actions, ideas, and emotions. They are complimentary parts of reality rather than necessarily in opposition to one another. Indian psychology places a strong emphasis on the significance of realizing one's actual self, or Atman, in order to transcend the duality of Dev and Danav.

In addition to being psychological ideas, Eros and Thanatos are also legendary characters in Greek mythology. The deity of attraction, love, and desire known as Eros is frequently shown as a winged lad with a bow and arrow. The embodiment of death, Thanatos, is sometimes shown as a winged figure holding a sword or a torch. Some stories claim that Eros and Thanatos are brothers and that they are the offspring of the night goddess Nyx.

In addition to being philosophical ideas, Dev and Danav are actual historical figures in Indian history. Devs and Danavs are thought to be the offspring of two of Rishi Kashyapa's sons, a wise man who had several wives. Devs, who stand for light, order, and kindness, are the offspring of Aditi, the mother of gods. Danavs, who stand for evil, confusion, and darkness, are the offspring of Diti, the mother of demons.

Awakening and Suppressing Dev & Danav Potentialities -

According to Indian psychology, Dev and Danav are potentialities that may be either awakened or suppressed by one's actions, ideas, and emotions. This indicates that based on the decisions they make and the influences they come into contact with throughout their lives, every human being has the potential to either be a dev (a benign giver) or a danav (a malicious grabber). Dev and Danav are dynamic, adaptable states of being that can vary over time and in different contexts rather than being fixed or intrinsic features.

A person may exhibit dev behavior, for instance, when they assist a person in need, give to a good cause, or produce something beneficial for others. These deeds display a selfless and giving mindset that aims to promote the happiness of others and the peace of the cosmos. The same individual, however, may behave as a danav if they defraud, hurt, or steal from others, or if they hoard riches for themselves without caring for or sharing with others. These behaviors reveal a self-centered and materialistic mindset that attempts to take advantage of other people and the environment for personal benefit.

Similar to this, when a person has upbeat, hopeful, and compassionate ideas that motivate them to carry out kind actions and spread joy, they are said to be thinking like a dev. These ideas show a clear, enlightened mind that is aware of the divinity within oneself and the unity of all creatures. The same individual, however, can consider a danav when they are harboring unfavorable, nasty, and gloomy thoughts that drive them to commit terrible activities and create suffering. These ideas are the result of a misled and uninformed mentality that only perceives the ego in oneself and the conflicts and disparities between beings.

A person may also feel like a dev when they have moments of bliss and fulfillment in their hearts, such as moments of joy, serenity, love, and thanks. These feelings are a reflection of a calm, pure spirit that is in harmony with the cosmos and the ultimate truth. The same individual, however, could feel like a danav when they are overcome by agitation and discontent brought on by rage, anxiety, desire, and jealousy. These feelings are a reflection of a spirit that is unclean and restless, out of harmony with the cosmos and the divine truth.

Dev and Danav are hence potentialities that one's actions, ideas, and emotions have the power to either awaken or inhibit. Indian psychology seeks to aid people in overcoming the duality of Dev and Danav by enabling them to recognize their inner selves, or Atmans, which are independent of both good and evil, light and dark, creation and destruction. One can escape the cycle of birth and death and find eternal happiness by reaching this condition of self-realization.

Relation of "SELF" with Dev & Danav

The essential nature of a person, known as the self or atman, is beyond good and evil, light and dark, creation and destruction. The self is everlasting, happy, and united with Brahman, the highest reality. The ego, also known as Ahamkara, is the false sense of identity that is based on one's body, thoughts, and possessions, however, frequently hides the self. Dev and Danav manifest in a person's personality as a result of the ego's creation of attachment, ignorance, and illusion.

The relation of self with Dev and Danav can be understood in terms of four levels of consciousness:

• Avidya: This is the lowest level of consciousness, where one is completely unaware of one’s true self and identifies only with one’s ego. One is dominated by Danav tendencies, such as selfishness, greed, anger, fear, lust, and envy. One lives in a state of ignorance, suffering, and bondage.
• Vidya: This is the intermediate level of consciousness, where one begins to realize one’s true self and distinguishes it from one’s ego. One develops Dev tendencies, such as generosity, compassion, love, courage, purity, and contentment. One lives in a state of knowledge, happiness, and freedom.
• Prajna: This is the higher level of consciousness, where one fully realizes one’s true self and transcends both Dev and Danav tendencies. One becomes a witness or observer of one’s thoughts, emotions, and actions. One lives in a state of wisdom, peace, and detachment.
• Turiya: This is the highest level of consciousness, where one merges with one’s true self and becomes one with Brahman. One experiences the ultimate reality that is beyond all duality and diversity. One lives in a state of bliss, unity, and liberation.

Role of Yoga in Transcending Dev & Danav

The purpose of Indian psychology is to assist people in transcending the duality of Dev and Danav by helping them recognize their inner selves, or Atman, which are beyond good and evil, light and dark, creation and destruction. Yoga is a practice that aids in this process.

Yoga is a system of physical, mental, and spiritual disciplines that aims to achieve the union of the individual self with the supreme self or Brahman. Yoga involves various practices, such as asanas (postures), pranayama (breath control), dharana (concentration), dhyana (meditation), and samadhi (absorption). Yoga helps in transcending Dev and Danav in the following ways:

• Yoga helps in purifying one’s body and mind from the impurities that cause Dev and Danav tendencies. By practicing asanas and pranayama, one can cleanse one’s physical and subtle body from toxins, diseases, and negative energies. By practicing dharana and dhyana, one can calm one’s mind from distractions, attachments, and delusions.
• Yoga helps in developing one’s awareness and consciousness of one’s true self or Atman. By practicing meditation and samadhi, one can experience the blissful state of being that is beyond all duality and diversity. By realizing one’s true self or Atman, one can transcend the ego or Ahamkara, which is the source of Dev and Danav's tendencies.
• Yoga helps in cultivating one’s virtues and values that align with the cosmic order or Dharma. By practicing yamas (restraints) and niyamas (observances), one can follow the ethical principles that guide one’s actions, thoughts, and emotions. By practicing bhakti (devotion) and karma (action), one can express one’s love and service to the supreme reality or Brahman.

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