Chapter 14 Verse 11-13
Guṇa Traya Vibhāg Yog
सर्वद्वारेषु देहेऽस्मिन्प्रकाश उपजायते।ज्ञानं यदा तदा विद्याद्विवृद्धं सत्त्वमित्युत।।14.11।। लोभः प्रवृत्तिरारम्भः कर्मणामशमः स्पृहा।रजस्येतानि जायन्ते विवृद्धे भरतर्षभ।।14.12।। अप्रकाशोऽप्रवृत्तिश्च प्रमादो मोह एव च।तमस्येतानि जायन्ते विवृद्धे कुरुनन्दन।।14.13।।
sarva-dvāreṣhu dehe ’smin prakāśha upajāyate jñānaṁ yadā tadā vidyād vivṛiddhaṁ sattvam ity uta lobhaḥ pravṛittir ārambhaḥ karmaṇām aśhamaḥ spṛihā rajasy etāni jāyante vivṛiddhe bharatarṣhabha aprakāśho ’pravṛittiśh cha pramādo moha eva cha tamasy etāni jāyante vivṛiddhe kuru-nandana
Word Meanings
| sarva | all |
| dvāreṣhu | through the gates |
| dehe | body |
| asmin | in this |
| prakāśhaḥ | illumination |
| upajāyate | manifest |
| jñānam | knowledge |
| yadā | when |
| tadā | then |
| vidyāt | know |
| vivṛiddham | predominates |
| sattvam | mode of goodness |
| iti | thus |
| uta | certainly |
| lobhaḥ | greed |
| pravṛittiḥ | activity |
| ārambhaḥ | exertion |
| karmaṇām | for fruitive actions |
| aśhamaḥ | restlessness |
| spṛihā | craving |
| rajasi | of the mode of passion |
| etāni | these |
| jāyante | develop |
| vivṛiddhe | when predominates |
| bharata-ṛiṣhabha | the best of the Bharatas, Arjun |
| aprakāśhaḥ | nescience |
| apravṛittiḥ | inertia |
| cha | and |
| pramādaḥ | negligence |
| mohaḥ | delusion |
| eva | indeed |
| cha | also |
| tamasi | mode of ignorance |
| etāni | these |
| jāyante | manifest |
| vivṛiddhe | when dominates |
| kuru-nandana | the joy of the Kurus, Arjun |
Translation
When the wisdom-light shines through every gate of this body, then it may be known that Sattva is predominant. Greed, activity, the undertaking of actions, restlessness, and longing—these arise when Rajas is predominant, O Arjuna. Darkness, inertia, carelessness, and delusion—these arise when Tamas is predominant, O Arjuna.
Philosophical Significance
Core Meaning
The three gunas are basic qualities that shape our mind and life. When Sattva (purity, clarity) grows, inner light and wisdom shine through our senses and thinking. We feel calm, clear, and able to see what is true.
When Rajas (activity, desire) dominates, life becomes driven by ambition, doing, craving, and restlessness. Energy is strong but often scattered and hooked to results. When Tamas (inertia, dullness) dominates, we fall into ignorance, laziness, confusion, and careless habits.
Knowing which quality is strongest in you helps you respond wisely. Spiritual growth begins by noticing these patterns, choosing steady clarity over restless doing or dull avoidance, and bringing simple practices that increase light and reduce ignorance.
Life Application
- Notice signs: calm clarity and wise choices point to Sattva; restlessness and constant wanting point to Rajas; sleepiness, confusion, or careless habits point to Tamas.
- Shift gently: increase Sattva with simple routines—regular sleep, light healthy food, quiet study, and short meditation breaks.
- Manage Rajas and Tamas: channel restless energy into focused work or service; break through dullness with movement, sunlight, and small disciplined tasks.
Reflection Question
Which of the three qualities is guiding my thoughts and actions right now?