Bhagavad Gita · Verse 14.5
Chapter 14: Gunatraya Vibhaga Yoga (गुणत्रयविभागयोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
सत्त्वं रजस्तम इति गुणाः प्रकृतिसम्भवाः । निबध्नन्ति महाबाहो देहे देहिनमव्ययम् ॥५॥
sattvaṃ rajastama iti guṇāḥ prakṛtisambhavāḥ | nibadhnanti mahābāho dehe dehinamavyayam ||5||
Complete Shloka Translation
Mighty-armed One, sattva, rajas and tamas are the gunas born of prakriti; they bind the imperishable embodied self within the body.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| सत्त्वम् | sattvam | the mode of goodness and harmony |
| रजः | rajaḥ | the mode of passion and agitation |
| तमः | tamaḥ | the mode of darkness, inertia, and ignorance |
| इति गुणाः | iti guṇāḥ | these primal qualities / modes |
| प्रकृति-संभवाः | prakṛti-saṁbhavāḥ | emanating from material nature |
| निबध्नन्ति | nibadhnanti | bind down |
| महाबाहो | mahā-bāho | O mighty-armed Arjuna |
| देहे | dehe | within this body |
| देहिनम् | dehinam | the embodied soul |
| अव्ययम् | avyayam | the immortal and imperishable |
the mode of goodness and harmony
the mode of passion and agitation
the mode of darkness, inertia, and ignorance
these primal qualities / modes
emanating from material nature
bind down
O mighty-armed Arjuna
within this body
the embodied soul
the immortal and imperishable
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
The chapter names three modes of nature and their binding role. Their interplay is described later, so they should not be treated as fixed labels for people.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Notice influences on experience without making them your entire identity."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
Which influence can you notice without making it your identity?
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.