Bhagavad Gita · Verse 13.14
Chapter 13: Kshetra Kshetrajna Vibhaga Yoga (क्षेत्रक्षेत्रज्ञविभागयोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
सर्वेन्द्रियगुणाभासं सर्वेन्द्रियविवर्जितम् । असक्तं सर्वभृच्चैव निर्गुणं गुणभोक्तृ च ॥१४॥
sarvendriyaguṇābhāsaṃ sarvendriyavivarjitam | asaktaṃ sarvabhṛccaiva nirguṇaṃ guṇabhoktṛ ca ||14||
Complete Shloka Translation
It shines through the functions of every sense, yet is without any senses; unattached, yet sustaining all; free from the gunas, yet experiencing the gunas.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| निर्गुण | nirguṇa | free from gunas |
| सर्वभृत् | sarvabhṛt | sustaining all |
| सर्वेन्द्रियगुणाभासं | sarvendriyaguṇābhāsaṃ | [term] in context of It shines through the function... |
| सर्वेन्द्रियविवर्जितम् | sarvendriyavivarjitam | [term] in context of It shines through the function... |
| असक्तं | asaktaṃ | [term] in context of It shines through the function... |
| सर्वभृच्चैव | sarvabhṛccaiva | [term] in context of It shines through the function... |
| निर्गुणं | nirguṇaṃ | [term] in context of It shines through the function... |
| गुणभोक्तृ | guṇabhoktṛ | [term] in context of It shines through the function... |
| १४ | ca | [term] in context of It shines through the function... |
free from gunas
sustaining all
[term] in context of It shines through the function...
[term] in context of It shines through the function...
[term] in context of It shines through the function...
[term] in context of It shines through the function...
[term] in context of It shines through the function...
[term] in context of It shines through the function...
[term] in context of It shines through the function...
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
The paired descriptions resist reducing the knowable to ordinary sense equipment. How it is beyond gunas yet their experiencer differs across traditions.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Hold difficult philosophical descriptions together before simplifying them."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
Which difficult description deserves patience before simplification?
Modern Life Implementation (Practical Real-Life Application)
Apply this verse to master daily focus: anchor your consciousness in higher values, let go of anxious attachment to results, and act with integrity and kindness in every endeavor.