Chapter 18 Verse 19 | Krishnaverse

Word Meanings

jñānam	knowledge
karma	action
cha	and
kartā	doer
cha	also
tridhā	of three kinds
eva	certainly
guṇa-bhedataḥ	distinguished according to the three modes of material nature
prochyate	are declared
guṇa-saṅkhyāne	Sānkhya philosophy, which describes the modes of material nature
yathā-vat	as they are
śhṛiṇu	listen
tāni	them
api	also

Translation

Knowledge, action, and actor are declared in the science of the Gunas (Sankhya philosophy) to be of three kinds only, according to the distinction of the Gunas. Of these, hear duly.

Philosophical Significance

Core Meaning

The verse says that knowledge, action, and the person who acts are each of three kinds. These kinds are based on the three gunas — sattva (clarity and harmony), rajas (activity and desire), and tamas (inertia and dullness).

That means how you know things, how you act, and how you see yourself all carry a quality. A peaceful, clear knowledge leads to steady right action; restless desire leads to hurried or selfish action; dullness leads to confusion or inaction.

Spiritually, this teaches that freedom comes from seeing which quality is driving you. By recognizing the type of knowledge, motive, and actor within, you can choose to cultivate clarity (sattva) and move toward wiser, calmer living.

Life Application

Pause before deciding: notice whether your choice comes from calm clarity, restless desire, or lazy avoidance.
Learn and spend time with people or teachings that increase clarity and balance (sattvic influences).
Shift daily habits (sleep, food, exercise, work rhythm) to reduce dullness and restless urge, and encourage steady attention.

Reflection Question

Which quality—clarity, restlessness, or dullness—most shapes my thinking and actions right now?