The Gita

Chapter 14 · Verse 11 of 27

The Yoga of the Division of the Three Gunas

गुणत्रयविभागयोग

Meaning

Supreme God Krishna spoke

When there is an emergence of light and knowledge in the body and its gates {and mind}, it indicates the ascendancy of the Noble Mode of Nature (SattvaGuna). (14:11)

Sanskrit

श्रीभगवान् उवाच

सर्वद्वारेषु देहेऽस्मिन्प्रकाश उपजायते ।

ज्ञानं यदा तदा विद्याद्विवृद्धं सत्त्वमित्युत॥

Word-by-word

सर्व-द्वारेषु देहे अस्मिन् प्रकाशः उप-जायते

ज्ञानम् यदा, तदा विद्यात् वि-वृद्धम् सत्त्वम् इति उत।

Commentary

The eyes, nose, tongue, ears, reproductive organs, etc., are the "gates" of the body. "Light" being produced in them means their turning Sāttvic, becoming purer in their interests. When the SattvaGuna is on the ascendency, ears do not want to listen to lousy gossip; eyes are not keen on watching the obscene and the evil; tongue loses interest in eating meat and fish, and reproductive organs lose interest in unethical sex.

PreviousNext