Bhagavad Gita · Verse 14.16
Chapter 14: Gunatraya Vibhaga Yoga (गुणत्रयविभागयोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
कर्मणः सुकृतस्याहुः सात्त्विकं निर्मलं फलम् । रजसस्तु फलं दुःखमज्ञानं तमसः फलम् ॥१६॥
karmaṇaḥ sukṛtasyāhuḥ sāttvikaṃ nirmalaṃ phalam | rajasastu phalaṃ duḥkhamajñānaṃ tamasaḥ phalam ||16||
Complete Shloka Translation
The fruit of well-performed action is said to be sattvic and pure; the fruit of rajas is sorrow, and the fruit of tamas is ignorance.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| सुकृत | sukṛta | well-performed or good action |
| फल | phala | fruit or result |
| कर्मणः | karmaṇaḥ | [term] in context of The fruit of well-performed ac... |
| सुकृतस्याहुः | sukṛtasyāhuḥ | [term] in context of The fruit of well-performed ac... |
| सात्त्विकं | sāttvikaṃ | [term] in context of The fruit of well-performed ac... |
| निर्मलं | nirmalaṃ | [term] in context of The fruit of well-performed ac... |
| फलम् | phalam | [term] in context of The fruit of well-performed ac... |
| रजसस्तु | rajasastu | [term] in context of The fruit of well-performed ac... |
| फलं | phalaṃ | [term] in context of The fruit of well-performed ac... |
| दुःखमज्ञानं | duḥkhamajñānaṃ | [term] in context of The fruit of well-performed ac... |
| तमसः | tamasaḥ | [term] in context of The fruit of well-performed ac... |
| १६ | phalam | [term] in context of The fruit of well-performed ac... |
well-performed or good action
fruit or result
[term] in context of The fruit of well-performed ac...
[term] in context of The fruit of well-performed ac...
[term] in context of The fruit of well-performed ac...
[term] in context of The fruit of well-performed ac...
[term] in context of The fruit of well-performed ac...
[term] in context of The fruit of well-performed ac...
[term] in context of The fruit of well-performed ac...
[term] in context of The fruit of well-performed ac...
[term] in context of The fruit of well-performed ac...
[term] in context of The fruit of well-performed ac...
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
Krishna relates conduct and the gunas to their fruits. This is a spiritual account of consequences, not a reason to assume that every painful event proves someone’s fault.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Attend to the motives and consequences of your actions."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
Which motive and consequence deserve closer attention in your work?
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.