Of vain hopes, of vain actions (karmāṇi), of vain knowledge (jñāna), devoid of understanding, They resort to a demonic (āsurī) and fiendish (rākṣasī) deceitful nature (prakṛti).
Reason warped, hope, action, and knowledge wasted, they fall prey to a seductive fiendish, demonic nature.
(12) Vain their hopes and vain their deeds, vain their 'gnosis', vain their wit; a monstrous devilish nature they embrace which leads [them far] astray.
9.12 Of vain hopes, of vain actions, of vain knowledge, and senseless, they become verily possessed of the deceptive disposition of fiends and demons.
9.12 Senseless men entertain a nature which is deluding and akin to that of Rākṣasas (fiends) and Asuras (monsters). Their hopes are vain, acts are vain and knowledge is vain.
9.12 Of vain hopes, of vain actions, of vain knowledge and senseless, they verily are possessed of the deceitful nature of demons and undivine beings.