Bhagavad Gita · Verse 14.18
Chapter 14: Gunatraya Vibhaga Yoga (गुणत्रयविभागयोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
ऊर्ध्वं गच्छन्ति सत्त्वस्था मध्ये तिष्ठन्ति राजसाः । जघन्यगुणवृत्तिस्था अधो गच्छन्ति तामसाः ॥१८॥
ūrdhvaṃ gacchanti sattvasthā madhye tiṣṭhanti rājasāḥ | jaghanyaguṇavṛttisthā adho gacchanti tāmasāḥ ||18||
Complete Shloka Translation
Those established in sattva go upward; those of rajas remain in the middle; those of tamas, abiding in the ways of the lowest guna, go downward.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| ऊर्ध्वम् | ūrdhvam | upward |
| अधः | adhaḥ | downward |
| ऊर्ध्वं | ūrdhvaṃ | [term] in context of Those established in sattva go... |
| गच्छन्ति | gacchanti | [term] in context of Those established in sattva go... |
| सत्त्वस्था | sattvasthā | [term] in context of Those established in sattva go... |
| मध्ये | madhye | [term] in context of Those established in sattva go... |
| तिष्ठन्ति | tiṣṭhanti | [term] in context of Those established in sattva go... |
| राजसाः | rājasāḥ | [term] in context of Those established in sattva go... |
| जघन्यगुणवृत्तिस्था | jaghanyaguṇavṛttisthā | [term] in context of Those established in sattva go... |
| अधो | adho | [term] in context of Those established in sattva go... |
| तामसाः | tāmasāḥ | [term] in context of Those established in sattva go... |
| १८ | tāmasāḥ | [term] in context of Those established in sattva go... |
upward
downward
[term] in context of Those established in sattva go...
[term] in context of Those established in sattva go...
[term] in context of Those established in sattva go...
[term] in context of Those established in sattva go...
[term] in context of Those established in sattva go...
[term] in context of Those established in sattva go...
[term] in context of Those established in sattva go...
[term] in context of Those established in sattva go...
[term] in context of Those established in sattva go...
[term] in context of Those established in sattva go...
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
Upward, middle and downward are traditional spiritual and cosmological directions. They do not assign fixed human value according to social status or bodily condition.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Consider where your habitual tendencies are directing your attention and conduct."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
Where are your habits directing your attention and conduct?
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.