Bhagavad Gita · Verse 14.17
Chapter 14: Gunatraya Vibhaga Yoga (गुणत्रयविभागयोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
सत्त्वात्सञ्जायते ज्ञानं रजसो लोभ एव च । प्रमादमोहौ तमसो भवतोऽज्ञानमेव च ॥१७॥
sattvātsañjāyate jñānaṃ rajaso lobha eva ca | pramādamohau tamaso bhavato'jñānameva ca ||17||
Complete Shloka Translation
From sattva comes knowledge; from rajas, greed; from tamas come negligence, delusion and ignorance.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| ज्ञान | jñāna | knowledge |
| अज्ञान | ajñāna | ignorance |
| सत्त्वात्सञ्जायते | sattvātsañjāyate | [term] in context of From sattva comes knowledge; f... |
| ज्ञानं | jñānaṃ | [term] in context of From sattva comes knowledge; f... |
| रजसो | rajaso | [term] in context of From sattva comes knowledge; f... |
| लोभ | lobha | [term] in context of From sattva comes knowledge; f... |
| एव | eva | [term] in context of From sattva comes knowledge; f... |
| प्रमादमोहौ | ca | [term] in context of From sattva comes knowledge; f... |
| तमसो | pramādamohau | [term] in context of From sattva comes knowledge; f... |
| भवतोऽज्ञानमेव | tamaso | [term] in context of From sattva comes knowledge; f... |
| १७ | bhavato'jñānameva | [term] in context of From sattva comes knowledge; f... |
knowledge
ignorance
[term] in context of From sattva comes knowledge; f...
[term] in context of From sattva comes knowledge; f...
[term] in context of From sattva comes knowledge; f...
[term] in context of From sattva comes knowledge; f...
[term] in context of From sattva comes knowledge; f...
[term] in context of From sattva comes knowledge; f...
[term] in context of From sattva comes knowledge; f...
[term] in context of From sattva comes knowledge; f...
[term] in context of From sattva comes knowledge; f...
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
The verse condenses the effects of the three modes. Its pattern can guide observation while the chapter continues toward transcending all three.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Recognize which conditions encourage understanding and which obscure it."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
Which conditions encourage understanding rather than obscure it?
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.