Chapter 14 · Gunatraya Vibhaga Yoga - The Yoga of the Division of the Three GunasKrishna
Verse 5
श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता अध्याय 14, श्लोक 5
Sanskrit Shloka (श्लोक)
सत्त्वं रजस्तम इति गुणाः प्रकृतिसम्भवाः।
निबध्नन्ति महाबाहो देहे देहिनमव्ययम्॥५॥
Transliteration
Sattvam Rajas-Tama Iti Gunah Prakriti-Sambhavah.
Nibadhnanti Maha-Baho Dehe Dehinam-Avyayam.
Word-by-Word Meaning (अन्वय)
सत्त्वम्sattvamgoodness
रजःrajahpassion
तमःtamahignorance
इतिitithus
गुणाःgunahthe qualities
प्रकृतिसम्भवाःprakriti-sambhavahborn of Prakriti
निबध्नन्तिnibadhnantibind
महाबाहोmaha-bahoO mighty-armed
देहेdehein the body
देहिनम्dehinamthe embodied soul
अव्ययम्avyayamthe imperishable
Hindi Translation (हिन्दी अर्थ)
हे महाबाहो! सत्त्व, रजस और तमस — ये तीन गुण प्रकृति से उत्पन्न हैं। ये अविनाशी देही (आत्मा) को शरीर में बाँधते हैं।
English Translation
Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas — these three qualities born of Prakriti bind the imperishable soul in the body, O mighty-armed Arjuna.
Commentary (टीका)
This is the key verse of the chapter, introducing the three Gunas. Though the soul is imperishable and beyond material nature, it becomes bound when it identifies with the body and its qualities. The three Gunas are not inherent in the soul but belong to Prakriti. Understanding this distinction is the first step toward transcending them.