Chapter 14 · Gunatraya Vibhaga Yoga - The Yoga of the Division of the Three GunasKrishna
Verse 18
श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता अध्याय 14, श्लोक 18
Sanskrit Shloka (श्लोक)
ऊर्ध्वं गच्छन्ति सत्त्वस्था मध्ये तिष्ठन्ति राजसाः।
जघन्यगुणवृत्तिस्था अधो गच्छन्ति तामसाः॥१८॥
Transliteration
Urdhvam Gachchhanti Sattva-Stha Madhye Tishthanti Rajasah.
Jaghanya-Guna-Vritti-Stha Adho Gachchhanti Tamasah.
Word-by-Word Meaning (अन्वय)
ऊर्ध्वम्urdhvamupward
गच्छन्तिgachchhantigo
सत्त्वस्थाःsattva-sthahthose established in Sattva
मध्येmadhyein the middle
तिष्ठन्तिtishthantiremain
राजसाःrajasahthe Rajasic
जघन्यगुणवृत्तिस्थाःjaghanya-guna-vritti-sthahestablished in the lowest Guna
अधःadhahdownward
गच्छन्तिgachchhantigo
तामसाःtamasahthe Tamasic
Hindi Translation (हिन्दी अर्थ)
सत्त्व में स्थित लोग ऊर्ध्वगति (ऊपर) जाते हैं, राजसी लोग मध्य में रहते हैं, और निकृष्ट गुण तमस की वृत्ति में स्थित तामसी लोग अधोगति को जाते हैं।
English Translation
Those established in Sattva go upward; the Rajasic remain in the middle; and the Tamasic, abiding in the function of the lowest Guna, go downward.
Commentary (टीका)
This verse maps the three Gunas to three directions of evolution. Sattvic beings ascend to higher planes of existence. Rajasic beings continue in the human realm of mixed experiences. Tamasic beings descend to lower, more ignorant forms of existence. This teaching motivates conscious effort to cultivate Sattva and transcend all Gunas.