Bhagvad Gita - Chapter: 14 Guna Traya Vibhaga Yogah

Guna Traya Vibhaga Yogah - Arjuna said: By what signs is one who has transcended the gunas recognized, O Lord? What is his conduct and how does he transcend the gunas?

अर्जुन उवाच कैर्लिङ्गैस्त्रीन्गुणानेतानतीतो भवति प्रभो |
किमाचार: कथं चैतांस्त्रीन्गुणानतिवर्तते ||21||

Arjuna said: By what signs is one who has transcended the gunas recognized, O Lord? What is his conduct and how does he transcend the gunas?

Lingaih: Characteristics or signs.
Gunatitah: Transcending the gunas.
Prabho: O Lord, referring to Krishna.

Arjuna’s question reflects his growing curiosity about liberation. He seeks clarity on identifying and transcending the gunas, paving the way for Krishna’s guidance on achieving this higher state of being.

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Guna Traya Vibhaga Yogah - The Blessed Lord said: He who neither hates illumination, activity, and delusion when they arise, nor desires them when they cease.

श्रीभगवानुवाच प्रकाशं च प्रवृत्तिं च मोहमेव च पाण्डव |
न द्वेष्टि सम्प्रवृत्तानि न निवृत्तानि काङ् क्षति ||22||

The Blessed Lord said: He who neither hates illumination, activity, and delusion when they arise, nor desires them when they cease.

Prakasham: Illumination or clarity.
Moham: Delusion or confusion.
Kankshati: Desires or yearns for.

Krishna begins describing the qualities of a person who transcends the gunas, highlighting their detachment and equanimity. This marks the beginning of a roadmap for spiritual mastery and inner peace.

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Guna Traya Vibhaga Yogah - He who, seated like one unconcerned, is not disturbed by the gunas, who, knowing that the gunas are active, remains firm and unwavering.

उदासीनवदासीनो गुणैर्यो न विचाल्यते |
गुणा वर्तन्त इत्येवं योऽवतिष्ठति नेङ्गते ||23||

He who, seated like one unconcerned, is not disturbed by the gunas, who, knowing that the gunas are active, remains firm and unwavering.

Udasinavat: Like one indifferent or neutral.
Gunaih: By the qualities of nature.
Avastiti: Remaining or staying.

Remaining indifferent to the gunas, the liberated soul witnesses their play without attachment. Krishna emphasizes the stability and awareness needed to stay unaffected by the gunas’ fluctuations.

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Guna Traya Vibhaga Yogah - He who is the same in pleasure and pain, who dwells in the Self, to whom a clod of earth, a stone, and gold are alike, who is wise and holds praise and blame to be the same.

समदु:खसुख: स्वस्थ: समलोष्टाश्मकाञ्चन: |
तुल्यप्रियाप्रियो धीरस्तुल्यनिन्दात्मसंस्तुति: ||24||

He who is the same in pleasure and pain, who dwells in the Self, to whom a clod of earth, a stone, and gold are alike, who is wise and holds praise and blame to be the same.

Sukhah: Pleasure or happiness.
Kanchanah: Gold or precious material.
Samstutih: Praise or approval.

The liberated soul remains balanced, unaffected by dualities like pleasure and pain or praise and blame. Krishna points out that such equanimity is crucial for transcending the limitations imposed by the gunas.

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Guna Traya Vibhaga Yogah - He who is the same in honor and dishonor, the same to friend and foe, and who has renounced all undertakings—he is said to have transcended the gunas.

मानापमानयोस्तुल्यस्तुल्यो मित्रारिपक्षयो: |
सर्वारम्भपरित्यागी गुणातीत: स उच्यते ||25||

He who is the same in honor and dishonor, the same to friend and foe, and who has renounced all undertakings—he is said to have transcended the gunas.

Mana: Honor or respect.
Apamana: Dishonor or disrespect.
Mitraripakshayah: Friend and foe alike.

Krishna highlights that detachment from all undertakings and equality toward friend and foe are hallmarks of one who has surpassed the gunas. This state represents ultimate freedom and self-realization.

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मां च योऽव्यभिचारेण भक्तियोगेन सेवते |
स गुणान्समतीत्यैतान्ब्रह्मभूयाय कल्पते ||26||

He who serves Me with unswerving devotion of love, he, crossing beyond the gunas, becomes fit to attain the eternal.

Bhakti Yoga: The path of devotion.
Avyabhicharena: Unwavering or steadfast.
Brahma Bhuyaya: Fit to attain the eternal.

Devotion to Krishna through unwavering love allows one to transcend the gunas. Krishna assures Arjuna that such devotion leads to oneness with the eternal and liberates the soul from material existence.

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ब्रह्मणो हि प्रतिष्ठाहममृतस्याव्ययस्य च |
शाश्वतस्य च धर्मस्य सुखस्यैकान्तिकस्य च ||27||

For I am the abode of Brahman, the immortal and the immutable, of eternal dharma and of absolute bliss.

Brahmano: Of Brahman, the ultimate reality.
Pratishtha: Abode or foundation.
Shashvatasya: Eternal or everlasting.

Krishna concludes by identifying himself as the ultimate abode of Brahman, the eternal and blissful foundation of all existence. This affirmation connects devotion with the ultimate truth and liberation.

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