Verset 17.617.117.217.317.417.517.617.717.817.917.1017.1117.1217.1317.1417.1517.1617.1717.1817.1917.2017.2117.2217.2317.2417.2517.2617.2717.28

Senseless, torturing all the elements in the body and Me also, Who dwell in the body, know thou these to be of demonical resolves.

senselessly tormenting the elements gathered in the body, and me too who dwell within the body: know them to be demonic in their resolve.

Completing the thought, Krishna says such people senselessly torment the elements that make up the body, and they also torment him, who dwells within the body. He calls them demonic in their resolve, linking this verse with the previous chapter's description of the demonic endowment. The Gita consistently favours moderation over extremes. Treating the body cruelly is presented as an offence against the divine presence within it, not as a path to freedom.