Given over to egoism, force, arrogance, lust, and anger, these malicious people despise the divine presence dwelling within their own bodies and the bodies of others. The traditions find this to be among the most alarming verses in the Gita. Shankara explains that despising the inner Self is the deepest form of ignorance, for it is the very Self that makes existence possible. Ramanuja teaches that the Lord as antaryamin (inner controller) is present in every being — hatred of this divine presence is hatred of one's own essence. Madhva sees this as the ultimate rebellion against Vishnu's all-pervading presence. Abhinavagupta interprets it as consciousness at war with itself — since Shiva is the innermost reality of every being, self-hatred is the rejection of one's own deepest nature. Vallabha teaches that even such extreme hostility cannot ultimately destroy the soul's relationship with God. The bhakti tradition sees this verse as a compassionate warning rather than a condemnation. Tilak notes that egoism and cruelty in powerful individuals produce systemic oppression. Vivekananda teaches that to despise any being is to despise God — service and reverence toward all is the practical expression of Vedantic truth.