Bhagavad Gita · Verse 18.19
Chapter 18: Moksha Sannyasa Yoga (मोक्षसंन्यासयोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
ज्ञानं कर्म च कर्ता च त्रिधैव गुणभेदतः । प्रोच्यते गुणसङ्ख्याने यथावच्छृणु तान्यपि ॥१९॥
jñānaṃ karma ca kartā ca tridhaiva guṇabhedataḥ | procyate guṇasaṅkhyāne yathāvacchṛṇu tānyapi ||19||
Complete Shloka Translation
Knowledge, action and agent are each described as threefold according to the gunas in the analysis of qualities. Hear them as they are.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| गुण | guṇa | mode of nature |
| कर्म | karma | action |
| ज्ञानं | jñānaṃ | [term] in context of Knowledge, action and agent ar... |
| कर्ता | ca | [term] in context of Knowledge, action and agent ar... |
| त्रिधैव | kartā | [term] in context of Knowledge, action and agent ar... |
| गुणभेदतः | ca | [term] in context of Knowledge, action and agent ar... |
| प्रोच्यते | tridhaiva | [term] in context of Knowledge, action and agent ar... |
| गुणसङ्ख्याने | guṇabhedataḥ | [term] in context of Knowledge, action and agent ar... |
| यथावच्छृणु | procyate | [term] in context of Knowledge, action and agent ar... |
| तान्यपि | guṇasaṅkhyāne | [term] in context of Knowledge, action and agent ar... |
| १९ | yathāvacchṛṇu | [term] in context of Knowledge, action and agent ar... |
mode of nature
action
[term] in context of Knowledge, action and agent ar...
[term] in context of Knowledge, action and agent ar...
[term] in context of Knowledge, action and agent ar...
[term] in context of Knowledge, action and agent ar...
[term] in context of Knowledge, action and agent ar...
[term] in context of Knowledge, action and agent ar...
[term] in context of Knowledge, action and agent ar...
[term] in context of Knowledge, action and agent ar...
[term] in context of Knowledge, action and agent ar...
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
The threefold framework applies to patterns of understanding and conduct. It should not become a fixed ranking of people's worth.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"How do understanding, motive and behavior shape each other?"
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
How do understanding, motive and behavior shape each other?
Modern Life Implementation (Practical Real-Life Application)
Apply this verse to achieve purposeful living: execute your daily duties with full craftsmanship and honesty, release obsessive ego over results, and ground your spirit in timeless devotion, knowing that where righteous effort joins higher wisdom, victory is assured.