Bhagavad Gita · Verse 14.21
Chapter 14: Gunatraya Vibhaga Yoga (गुणत्रयविभागयोगः)
(Arjuna said)
कैर्लिङ्गैस्त्रीन्गुणानेतानतीतो भवति प्रभो । किमाचारः कथं चैतांस्त्रीन्गुणानतिवर्तते ॥२१॥
kairliṅgaistrīnguṇānetānatīto bhavati prabho | kimācāraḥ kathaṃ caitāṃstrīnguṇānativartate ||21||
Complete Shloka Translation
Arjuna said: Lord, by what signs is one who has gone beyond these three gunas recognized? What is that person’s conduct, and how does one transcend these three gunas?
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| लिङ्ग | liṅga | sign or mark |
| आचार | ācāra | conduct |
| कैर्लिङ्गैस्त्रीन्गुणानेतानतीतो | kairliṅgaistrīnguṇānetānatīto | [term] in context of Arjuna said: Lord, by what sig... |
| भवति | bhavati | [term] in context of Arjuna said: Lord, by what sig... |
| प्रभो | prabho | [term] in context of Arjuna said: Lord, by what sig... |
| किमाचारः | kimācāraḥ | [term] in context of Arjuna said: Lord, by what sig... |
| कथं | kathaṃ | [term] in context of Arjuna said: Lord, by what sig... |
| चैतांस्त्रीन्गुणानतिवर्तते | caitāṃstrīnguṇānativartate | [term] in context of Arjuna said: Lord, by what sig... |
| २१ | caitāṃstrīnguṇānativartate | [term] in context of Arjuna said: Lord, by what sig... |
sign or mark
conduct
[term] in context of Arjuna said: Lord, by what sig...
[term] in context of Arjuna said: Lord, by what sig...
[term] in context of Arjuna said: Lord, by what sig...
[term] in context of Arjuna said: Lord, by what sig...
[term] in context of Arjuna said: Lord, by what sig...
[term] in context of Arjuna said: Lord, by what sig...
[term] in context of Arjuna said: Lord, by what sig...
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
Arjuna asks about signs, conduct and the way to transcendence. The speaker changes only for this verse in the supplied chapter.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Ask how understanding becomes visible in conduct and practice."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
What question links your understanding with everyday 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.