Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 14 · Gunatraya Vibhaga Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 14.16 कर्मणः सुकृतस्याहुः सात्त्विकं निर्मलं फलम्
श्लोक 14.16
कर्मणः सुकृतस्याहुः सात्त्विकं निर्मलं फलम् ।
रजसस्तु फलं दुःखमज्ञानं तमसः फलम् ॥
karmaṇaḥ sukṛtasyāhuḥ sāttvikaṃ nirmalaṃ phalam |
rajasastu phalaṃ duḥkhamajñānaṃ tamasaḥ phalam ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
अच्छे कर्म का फल सात्त्विक और निर्मल कहा गया है; रजोगुण का फल दुःख है, और तमोगुण का फल अज्ञान है।
Meaning in English
The fruit of good action is said to be sattvic and pure; the fruit of rajas is pain, and the fruit of tamas is ignorance.
Bhagavad Gita 14.16 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| कर्मणः | karmaṇaḥ | of action |
| सुकृतस्य | sukṛtasya | well done, good |
| आहुः | āhuḥ | they say |
| सात्त्विकम् | sāttvikam | sattvic |
| निर्मलम् | nirmalam | pure |
| फलम् | phalam | fruit |
| रजसः | rajasaḥ | of rajas |
| तु | tu | but |
| फलम् | phalam | the fruit |
| दुःखम् | duḥkham | pain |
| अज्ञानम् | ajñānam | ignorance |
| तमसः | tamasaḥ | of tamas |
| फलम् | phalam | the fruit |
Explanation
The fruit of good action, the wise say, is sattvic and pure. The fruit of rajas is pain, and the fruit of tamas is ignorance. Every action carries the stamp of the guna that drove it, and the result reflects that quality.
Each guna yields its own harvest. Good actions done in sattva leave a clean result of peace and clarity. Actions driven by rajas bring stress and disappointment, since craving is never satisfied. Actions done in tamas deepen confusion. Commentators note that the fruit of rajas is pain even when it looks like success, because it breeds more wanting. The verse invites us to judge actions by their inner fruit.
भावार्थ
सात्त्विक शुभ कर्म का फल निर्मल और सात्त्विक कहा गया है, रजोगुण का फल दुःख और तमोगुण का फल अज्ञान है। हर कर्म का फल उसके गुण के अनुसार होता है।
Living it today
Judge your choices by how they leave you feeling inside a week later, not just by what they bring in the moment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 14.16?
The fruit of good action, the wise say, is sattvic and pure. The fruit of rajas is pain, and the fruit of tamas is ignorance. Every action carries the stamp of the guna that drove it, and the result reflects that quality.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 14.16?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 14 (Gunatraya Vibhaga Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 14.16 in daily life?
Judge your choices by how they leave you feeling inside a week later, not just by what they bring in the moment.
Reflected on verse 14.16?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.