Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 14 · Gunatraya Vibhaga Yoga

Bhagavad Gita 14.11 सर्वद्वारेषु देहेऽस्मिन्प्रकाश उपजायते

Sri Krishna Chapter 14, Verse 11 With word-by-word notes

श्लोक 14.11

सर्वद्वारेषु देहेऽस्मिन्प्रकाश उपजायते ।
ज्ञानं यदा तदा विद्याद्विवृद्धं सत्त्वमित्युत ॥

sarvadvāreṣu dehe'sminprakāśa upajāyate |
jñānaṃ yadā tadā vidyādvivṛddhaṃ sattvamityuta ||

हिन्दी अर्थ

जब इस शरीर के सभी द्वारों (इंद्रियों) में ज्ञान का प्रकाश फैलता है, तब जानना चाहिए कि सत्त्व गुण बढ़ा हुआ है।

Meaning in English

When the light of knowledge shines through all the gates of this body, then one should know that sattva has increased.

Bhagavad Gita 14.11 — word by word

WordTransliterationMeaning
सर्वद्वारेषुsarva-dvāreṣuin all the gates
देहे अस्मिन्dehe asminin this body
प्रकाशःprakāśaḥlight
उपजायतेupajāyatearises
ज्ञानम्jñānamknowledge
यदाyadāwhen
तदाtadāthen
विद्यात्vidyātone should know
विवृद्धम्vivṛddhamhas increased
सत्त्वम्sattvamsattva
इति उतiti utathus indeed

Explanation

When the light of knowledge shines through all the gates of this body, then one should know that sattva has increased. When the senses are clear and understanding comes easily, sattva is in charge. This is the first of three verses that teach how to recognise which guna is ruling.

The gates are the senses through which we meet the world. When sattva is strong, perception becomes clear, understanding comes easily and the mind feels bright. Shankara explains the light as the clarity of the intellect that shines through each sense. This is the first of three diagnostic verses that help one recognise which guna is dominant at a given time.

भावार्थ

जब इस शरीर के सब द्वारों (इन्द्रियों) में प्रकाश और ज्ञान उत्पन्न होता है, तब जानना चाहिए कि सत्त्वगुण बढ़ा हुआ है। मन की स्पष्टता सत्त्वगुण का चिह्न है। तब मन हल्का और शान्त होता है।

Living it today

Notice the times your mind feels clear and your senses alert. What led to them? Do more of that.

Frequently asked questions

What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 14.11?

When the light of knowledge shines through all the gates of this body, then one should know that sattva has increased. When the senses are clear and understanding comes easily, sattva is in charge. This is the first of three verses that teach how to recognise which guna is ruling.

Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 14.11?

Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 14 (Gunatraya Vibhaga Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.

How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 14.11 in daily life?

Notice the times your mind feels clear and your senses alert. What led to them? Do more of that.

Reflected on verse 14.11?

Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.