Bhagavad Gita · Verse 14.23
Chapter 14: Gunatraya Vibhaga Yoga (गुणत्रयविभागयोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
उदासीनवदासीनो गुणैर्यो न विचाल्यते । गुणा वर्तन्त इत्येव योऽवतिष्ठति नेङ्गते ॥२३॥
udāsīnavadāsīno guṇairyo na vicālyate | guṇā vartanta ityeva yo'vatiṣṭhati neṅgate ||23||
Complete Shloka Translation
—who sits as if impartial, is not shaken by the gunas, and remains steady, knowing that the gunas are at work, without wavering;
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| उदासीनवत् | udāsīnavat | as if impartial |
| विचाल्यते | vicālyate | is shaken |
| उदासीनवदासीनो | udāsīnavadāsīno | [term] in context of —who sits as if impartial, is ... |
| गुणैर्यो | guṇairyo | [term] in context of —who sits as if impartial, is ... |
| गुणा | vicālyate | [term] in context of —who sits as if impartial, is ... |
| वर्तन्त | guṇā | [term] in context of —who sits as if impartial, is ... |
| इत्येव | vartanta | [term] in context of —who sits as if impartial, is ... |
| योऽवतिष्ठति | ityeva | [term] in context of —who sits as if impartial, is ... |
| नेङ्गते | yo'vatiṣṭhati | [term] in context of —who sits as if impartial, is ... |
| २३ | neṅgate | [term] in context of —who sits as if impartial, is ... |
as if impartial
is shaken
[term] in context of —who sits as if impartial, is ...
[term] in context of —who sits as if impartial, is ...
[term] in context of —who sits as if impartial, is ...
[term] in context of —who sits as if impartial, is ...
[term] in context of —who sits as if impartial, is ...
[term] in context of —who sits as if impartial, is ...
[term] in context of —who sits as if impartial, is ...
[term] in context of —who sits as if impartial, is ...
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
The witness-like stance concerns steadiness toward guna activity. It is an inward orientation, not a reason to neglect responsibilities or other people.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Notice a passing tendency without being carried away by it."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
What helps you notice a tendency without being carried away?
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.