Satanology

We’ve all heard of the term “demonology,” which, like theology (the study of God), is the study of evil spirits. The concept of demonic possession is widespread and has existed since time immemorial. Countless scholarly works explore this subject, and there is abundant material available online. Therefore, I won’t delve into my personal views on demonology here.

But have you ever heard of “Satanology”? I hadn’t, but this idea is distinct from demonology. While demonology involves multiple demons and evil spirits, Satanology focuses on Satan—often viewed as the singular enemy of God. Several religions strongly affirm the existence of Satan (and yes, it’s a “he,” not a capital “He” like for God). Thankfully, he too is male! My aim here is not to delve into the theological aspect but to discuss how some religious followers seem to live in constant preoccupation with Satan.

For these people, it’s as if they live, move, and have their being in him, similar to how a devotee feels toward God. But rather than being possessed or controlled by Satan, they seem to think about and talk about him more than they do about God, which is ironic given how much their religion emphasizes the latter.

Every negative thing in life, big or small, is often attributed to the work of Satan, although they sometimes conflate him with evil spirits. In their view, evil spirits are part of Satan’s army, working to fulfill his goals. Rather than focusing on worshiping or praying to God, these individuals spend much of their time thinking, talking, and continually “rebuking” Satan. Even a minor sneeze or cough might be blamed on the devil.

My point here is not to critique this belief but to note how disagreement with these individuals often leads to swift and severe judgment. If you don’t share their views, you aren’t just seen as a heretic or a liberal—you’re labeled as an agent of Satan, an enemy to be opposed at any cost.

As human beings gifted with reason, we are called to appreciate the beauty of life. Believers in God are expected to be thankful for the blessings they receive and to accept suffering as a part of life that can be endured or overcome with God’s grace. Even those who don’t believe in God are expected to find beauty in life. But instead of celebrating the goodness of life, some religious people become so consumed by thoughts of Satan that they miss out on life’s beauty. I’m not sure whether to laugh or weep at this. Fanaticism, when it leads to fundamentalism, becomes a danger not just to themselves but to everyone.

The danger of fanaticism is that once it becomes fundamentalism, it can reach an extreme where anyone who disagrees with their worldview is seen not as a person to be reasoned with or reformed but as an enemy to be eliminated. To these fundamentalists, there are three types of enemies: external, internal, and favorable.

1. External enemies are open and known, so their motives and actions can be anticipated and countered.

2. Internal enemies are those who disagree but remain within the group—a “thorn in the body.” At first, they are ignored, then tolerated, and eventually banished when they go too far.

3. Favorable enemies are the most dangerous. They don’t openly oppose the group but unintentionally embarrass it, often thinking they are helping. They may be seen as acting out of ignorance or childishness and are usually forgiven and allowed to remain within the group. However, if this favorable enemy is banished, the situation becomes perilous. Unlike the internal enemy, who is kept at a distance, the favorable enemy knows the group’s weaknesses. When banished, they might retaliate by exposing these weaknesses, doing more harm to the group than to themselves.

These favorable enemies must be kept close, never allowed to disappear from the group’s radar, as they are perceived to possess a “power of Satan” that cannot be easily driven out, no matter how often they are rebuked.

Ironically, those who live, move, and have their being in Satan may find it easier to deal with such favorable enemies than to cast out the devil himself. When this behavior is pointed out, they simply declare that the favorable enemy’s actions are yet another work of Satan meant to deceive them.

TPT – 2-9-23 

Revised on 19-9-2024

[28/05, 8:43 pm] Question: Swami ji, what do you call Satan in your pravachans, or what’s a better word in Hindi/Sanskrit for this enemy of our welfare and term happiness? One of the translations I came across used “Pradhaan Pret.” 

[28/05, 8:43 pm] Dayanand Bharathi: Read my article “Sorrows of Satan.” 

[28/05, 8:43 pm] Question: … So if I wanted to share from the Muktived on deliverance in Luke 8, etc., what’s the best way to do that without appealing to demons and Satan? 

[28/05, 8:43 pm] Dayanand Bharathi: I talk only about God, not about these controversial topics. I talk about our failures and lack of moral responsibility. 

[28/05, 8:43 pm] Dayanand Bharathi: He is a defeated one and has no power or authority over my life. I am responsible for my welfare and happiness that God gives me. I lose it because of my failures, not others, including dark forces. Unless I allow it, it can’t do anything in my life. So it’s my moral choice to decide whether I should allow it or not. Beyond my willpower, it can’t do anything. 

[28/05, 8:43 pm] Question: This is all true, Swami ji, but how to deal with the actual incidents or katha described by Muktinath if I want to retell the story? It would sound strange and unnecessary to talk about being possessed by a legion, living in tombs, and entering pigs and killing them. It’s not possible to allegorize the entire incident. Maybe in commentary or practical application one can share what you mentioned, but the story explicitly includes these details. 

[28/05, 10:38 pm] Dayanand Bharathi: Swami ji, it is true and practically evident to me that exorcisms and miracles described in MV are not relevant to my day-to-day life as I move around. To me, the biggest miracle is knowing and being known by Muktinath Himself. Although if these incidents did happen as facts in the Vedic period, they just mean that God displayed His power in specific ways when He came in a saakaar roop. They can also be taken as symbolic and spiritual tales of God’s power over darkness and things that oppress us in general. Many of the miracles in MV are so radical and shocking that they cannot be replicated (although many religious scammers claim to do so), and the only way to teach and understand them is to find all their fulfillment in Muktinath as He is the true liberator of our hopelessness, meaninglessness, selfishness, ego, and ultimately death, which is our greatest foe. 

28-5-2023

Gurukulam