Bhagavad Gita

Shrimad Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 14: Guṇa Traya Vibhāga Yogam, Verse 17:

Bhagavad Gita - krishna

(Image Courtesy Mahanidhiswami)

Rajo Guna Inflames The Senses And Sends The Mind Into A Spin Of Ambitious Desires Sattva Guna Gives Rise To Wisdom, Tamo Guna Provides Inertia And Nescience To The Living Being

सत्त्वात्सञ्जायते ज्ञानं रजसो लोभ एव च |
प्रमादमोहौ तमसो भवतोऽज्ञानमेव च || 14.17||

sattvāt sañjāyate jñānaṁ rajaso lobha eva cha
pramāda-mohau tamaso bhavato ’jñānam eva cha|| 14.17||

Shloka Translation
BG – Ch. 14- Ver. 17:

Wisdom comes from sattva, and rajas comes from greed. Tamas causes irresponsibility, error, and ignorance.

Explanation

After mentioning the differences in the results that result from the three gunas, Shree Krishna now explains why. Wisdom is conferred by sattva guna, which is the ability to distinguish between good and bad. It also satisfies the senses’ desires for pleasure, resulting in a sensation of enjoyment and contentment. People who are impacted by it are more likely to engage in academic pursuits and have virtuous beliefs.

As a result, the goodness mode encourages prudent behaviour. Rajo guna arouses the senses and agitates the mind, driving it into a frenzy of ambitious ambitions. It entraps the living being and drives them to pursue wealth and pleasures that are pointless from the standpoint of the soul. Tamo guna is a substance that covers a living being.

Verse & what we can learn

Mental states shaped by cognitive acts also produce results. According to Shri Krishna, a sattvic mental state allows us to have access to both material and spiritual knowledge by improving our intellect’s ability to understand clearly and grasp information rapidly.

A rajasic mental state causes us to run about the world in search of objects. We want more of the things we already have and less of the things we don’t have. The worst conceivable outcome arises from a tamasic mental condition. It keeps us ignorant of both the physical world and our actual nature. We don’t want to act at all, and when we do, we act hastily or carelessly.

We will develop a bigger proportion of sattva in our thoughts if we intentionally conduct sattvic actions day after day, which will further stimulate sattvic actions. Karma yoga is based on this concept. Shri Krishna wants us to move from our rajasic and tamasic existence to one of greater sattva by encouraging us to do altruistic acts.

To acquire knowledge and to implement that knowledge in life one needs to be mentally and physically active and healthy and for that daily meditation is a great tool.

There are various types of meditation like Buddhist meditation, heartfulness meditation, mindfulness meditation, meditation for stress, and each meditation benefits are countless. There is also numerous meditation techniques for beginners which help in practicing daily meditation so go ahead and start your journey towards a peaceful and balanced life.

In the next shloka Shri Krishna talks about what happens to the ones that stay in three modes.

Let’s learn to live with “The Gita” via Meditation Affinity…

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