Chapter 14: The Yoga of the Three Gunas

Verses (27)

1. 14.1

   श्री भगवानुवाचपरं भूयः प्रवक्ष्यामि ज्ञानानां ज्ञानमुत्तमम्।यज्ज्ञात्वा मुनयः सर्वे परां सिद्धिमितो ...

   Master the timeless principles that transcend circumstances. This foundational knowledge elevates your decision-making and leadership beyond temporary...

2. 14.2

   इदं ज्ञानमुपाश्रित्य मम साधर्म्यमागताः।सर्गेऽपि नोपजायन्ते प्रलये न व्यथन्ति च।।14.2।।

   Focus on timeless principles rather than temporary circumstances. Leaders who align with enduring values transcend crisis cycles and remain unshaken b...

3. 14.3

   मम योनिर्महद्ब्रह्म तस्मिन् गर्भं दधाम्यहम्।संभवः सर्वभूतानां ततो भवति भारत।।14.3।।

   All outcomes emerge from the quality of what you plant. As a leader, your decisions and values are seeds that determine your organization's future gro...

4. 14.4

   सर्वयोनिषु कौन्तेय मूर्तयः सम्भवन्ति याः।तासां ब्रह्म महद्योनिरहं बीजप्रदः पिता।।14.4।।

   All outcomes stem from foundational conditions you create. As a leader, you're the seed-planter; focus on establishing right systems and culture, trus...

5. 14.5

   सत्त्वं रजस्तम इति गुणाः प्रकृतिसंभवाः।निबध्नन्ति महाबाहो देहे देहिनमव्ययम्।।14.5।।

   All people operate from three natural modes: clarity and balance, ambition and action, or inertia and resistance. Recognize which dominates your team ...

6. 14.6

   तत्र सत्त्वं निर्मलत्वात्प्रकाशकमनामयम्।सुखसङ्गेन बध्नाति ज्ञानसङ्गेन चानघ।।14.6।।

   Clarity and knowledge are powerful tools, but beware: attachment to being right or feeling superior can subtly bind you more than ignorance ever could...

7. 14.7

   रजो रागात्मकं विद्धि तृष्णासङ्गसमुद्भवम्।तन्निबध्नाति कौन्तेय कर्मसङ्गेन देहिनम्।।14.7।।

   Passion-driven ambition without detachment binds you to endless striving. Lead through purpose, not attachment to outcomes, for true freedom.

8. 14.8

   तमस्त्वज्ञानजं विद्धि मोहनं सर्वदेहिनाम्।प्रमादालस्यनिद्राभिस्तन्निबध्नाति भारत।।14.8।।

   Ignorance, procrastination, and mental fog bind us. Leaders must actively cultivate awareness and momentum to break free from inertia and make clear d...

9. 14.9

   सत्त्वं सुखे सञ्जयति रजः कर्मणि भारत।ज्ञानमावृत्य तु तमः प्रमादे सञ्जयत्युत।।14.9।।

   Your mental state shapes outcomes: clarity drives wise action, passion drives endless striving, confusion breeds neglect. Choose your mindset delibera...

10. 14.10

    रजस्तमश्चाभिभूय सत्त्वं भवति भारत।रजः सत्त्वं तमश्चैव तमः सत्त्वं रजस्तथा।।14.10।।

    Your mental state reflects what you feed it. Cultivate clarity and discipline to overcome reactive impulses and inertia, or watch destructive patterns...

11. 14.11

    सर्वद्वारेषु देहेऽस्मिन्प्रकाश उपजायते।ज्ञानं यदा तदा विद्याद्विवृद्धं सत्त्वमित्युत।।14.11।।

    When your mind becomes clear and your senses sharp, you're operating at peak performance. This clarity signals you're making wise decisions aligned wi...

12. 14.12

    लोभः प्रवृत्तिरारम्भः कर्मणामशमः स्पृहा।रजस्येतानि जायन्ते विवृद्धे भरतर्षभ।।14.12।।

    When ambition drives your decisions unchecked, greed, anxiety, and constant striving follow. Lead with clarity and purpose instead of endless craving ...

13. 14.13

    अप्रकाशोऽप्रवृत्तिश्च प्रमादो मोह एव च।तमस्येतानि जायन्ते विवृद्धे कुरुनन्दन।।14.13।।

    When you neglect clarity and accountability, poor judgment, stagnation, carelessness, and confusion inevitably follow. Stay vigilant and engaged.

14. 14.14

    यदा सत्त्वे प्रवृद्धे तु प्रलयं याति देहभृत्।तदोत्तमविदां लोकानमलान्प्रतिपद्यते।।14.14।।

    Cultivate clarity and integrity in your character; your highest qualities determine your outcomes and legacy in any endeavor.

15. 14.15

    रजसि प्रलयं गत्वा कर्मसङ्गिषु जायते।तथा प्रलीनस्तमसि मूढयोनिषु जायते।।14.15।।

    Your dominant mental state shapes your future circumstances. Cultivate clarity and purposeful action now; avoid passive or destructive patterns that l...

16. 14.16

    कर्मणः सुकृतस्याहुः सात्त्विकं निर्मलं फलम्।रजसस्तु फलं दुःखमज्ञानं तमसः फलम्।।14.16।।

    Choose work aligned with clarity and growth over work driven by ego or avoidance. Your results reflect your intentions.

17. 14.17

    सत्त्वात्सञ्जायते ज्ञानं रजसो लोभ एव च।प्रमादमोहौ तमसो भवतोऽज्ञानमेव च।।14.17।।

    Your mindset shapes your outcomes. Cultivate clarity and purpose to gain wisdom; avoid reactive ambition and mental fog that cloud judgment.

18. 14.18

    ऊर्ध्वं गच्छन्ति सत्त्वस्था मध्ये तिष्ठन्ति राजसाः।जघन्यगुणवृत्तिस्था अधो गच्छन्ति तामसाः।।14.18।।

    Your choices determine your trajectory. Pursue excellence and integrity to rise; chase comfort to stagnate; embrace shortcuts to decline.

19. 14.19

    नान्यं गुणेभ्यः कर्तारं यदा द्रष्टानुपश्यति।गुणेभ्यश्च परं वेत्ति मद्भावं सोऽधिगच्छति।।14.19।।

    Recognize that circumstances and traits drive outcomes, not ego. This detachment from personal credit opens you to wisdom beyond your limitations.

20. 14.20

    गुणानेतानतीत्य त्रीन्देही देहसमुद्भवान्।जन्ममृत्युजरादुःखैर्विमुक्तोऽमृतमश्नुते।।14.20।।

    Master your mind beyond reactive patterns—ego, fear, and desire—to achieve lasting peace, clarity, and freedom from self-imposed suffering in your wor...

21. 14.21

    अर्जुन उवाचकैर्लिंगैस्त्रीन्गुणानेतानतीतो भवति प्रभो।किमाचारः कथं चैतांस्त्रीन्गुणानतिवर्तते।।14.21।...

    Leaders transcend limiting patterns by acting without attachment to outcomes, remaining calm amid chaos, and serving purpose beyond personal gain.

22. 14.22

    श्री भगवानुवाचप्रकाशं च प्रवृत्तिं च मोहमेव च पाण्डव।न द्वेष्टि सम्प्रवृत्तानि न निवृत्तानि काङ्क्षत...

    Master equanimity by neither clinging to success nor resisting failure—respond to circumstances with clarity rather than emotional attachment.

23. 14.23

    उदासीनवदासीनो गुणैर्यो न विचाल्यते।गुणा वर्तन्त इत्येव योऽवतिष्ठति नेङ्गते।।14.23।।

    Stay centered amid chaos by recognizing external pressures don't define you. Observe circumstances objectively without being swept into reactive decis...

24. 14.24

    समदुःखसुखः स्वस्थः समलोष्टाश्मकाञ्चनः।तुल्यप्रियाप्रियो धीरस्तुल्यनिन्दात्मसंस्तुतिः।।14.24।।

    Equanimity amid success and failure, praise and criticism, frees leaders to make clear decisions based on merit rather than ego or emotion.

25. 14.25

    मानापमानयोस्तुल्यस्तुल्यो मित्रारिपक्षयोः।सर्वारम्भपरित्यागी गुणातीतः स उच्यते।।14.25।।

    Transcend reactive leadership by maintaining steady judgment regardless of praise or criticism, treating allies and adversaries equally, and focusing ...

26. 14.26

    मां च योऽव्यभिचारेण भक्ितयोगेन सेवते।स गुणान्समतीत्यैतान् ब्रह्मभूयाय कल्पते।।14.26।।

    Unwavering commitment to your purpose transcends obstacles and elevates you toward excellence and mastery in your field.

27. 14.27

    ब्रह्मणो हि प्रतिष्ठाऽहममृतस्याव्ययस्य च।शाश्वतस्य च धर्मस्य सुखस्यैकान्तिकस्य च।।14.27।।

    Ground yourself in unchanging principles—integrity, purpose, and inner peace—to navigate life's constant changes with resilience and clarity.