Chapter 14: Gunatraya Vibhaga Yoga
The Yoga of the Three Modes of Material Nature
Chapter Summary
Lord Krishna explains the three modes of material nature: Sattva (goodness), Rajas (passion), and Tamas (ignorance). He describes how these modes bind the eternal soul to the body and how they influence character, behavior, and destination after death. He explains that by engaging in unalloyed devotional service, one can transcend these modes and attain the spiritual stage of Brahman.
Verses
Verse 14.5
सत्त्वं रजस्तम इति गुणाः प्रकृतिसम्भवाः |
निबध्नन्ति महाबाहो देहे देहिनमव्ययम् ||
sattvaṁ rajas tama iti guṇāḥ prakṛti-sambhavāḥ |
nibadhnanti mahā-bāho dehe dehinam avyayam ||
Translation: Material nature consists of three modes—goodness, passion and ignorance. When the eternal living entity comes in contact with nature, O mighty-armed Arjuna, he becomes conditioned by these modes.
Verse 14.17
सत्त्वात्सञ्जायते ज्ञानं रजसो लोभ एव च |
प्रमादमोहौ तमसो भवतोऽज्ञानमेव च ||
sattvāt sañjāyate jñānaṁ rajaso lobha eva ca |
pramāda-mohau tamaso bhavato ’jñānam eva ca ||
Translation: From the mode of goodness, real knowledge develops; from the mode of passion, greed develops; and from the mode of ignorance develop foolishness, madness and illusion.
Verse 14.26
मां च योऽव्यभिचारेण भक्तियोगेन सेवते |
स गुणान्समतीत्यैतान्ब्रह्मभूयाय कल्पते ||
māṁ ca yo ’vyabhicāreṇa bhakti-yogena sevate |
sa guṇān samatītyaitān brahma-bhūyāya kalpate ||
Translation: One who engages in full devotional service, unfailing in all circumstances, at once transcends the modes of material nature and thus comes to the level of Brahman.