# The nature of demons *Demons (asuras) are living entities who have chosen to oppose the Supreme Lord and His devotees. Characterized by envy, pride, and atheism, they deny God's existence and pursue unlimited sense gratification. The Bhagavad-gita describes their qualities in detail: they are bound by hundreds of desires, resort to unclean practices, and work for the destruction of the world. Yet even demons can be delivered by the Lord's mercy, as demonstrated by many historical examples where the Lord liberated His enemies.* ## Demons Are Characterized by Envy and Atheism ![[bg/16/4]] ![[bg/16/7-12]] ## Demons Deny the Existence of God ![[bg/16/8]] ![[sb/7/8/12]] ## The Destiny of Demons Is Degradation ![[bg/16/16]] ![[bg/16/19-20]] ## Demons Oppose Devotional Service ![[sb/7/5/6]] ![[sb/7/9/11]] ## The Lord Shows Mercy Even to Demons ![[sb/7/1/12-13]] ![[sb/7/1/26]] ## Demons Can Be Delivered by the Lord ![[sb/3/2/19]] ![[cc/adi/5/36]] ## From the Index - [[index/entries/demon|Demons]] — Characteristics and destiny - [[index/entries/atheist|Atheists]] — Denial of God - [[index/entries/materialist|Materialists]] — Demonic mentality