Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 14 · Gunatraya Vibhaga Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 14.17 सत्त्वात्सञ्जायते ज्ञानं रजसो लोभ एव च
श्लोक 14.17
सत्त्वात्सञ्जायते ज्ञानं रजसो लोभ एव च ।
प्रमादमोहौ तमसो भवतोऽज्ञानमेव च ॥
sattvātsañjāyate jñānaṃ rajaso lobha eva ca |
pramādamohau tamaso bhavato'jñānameva ca ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
सत्त्व गुण से ज्ञान उत्पन्न होता है और रजोगुण से लोभ; तमोगुण से प्रमाद और मोह उत्पन्न होते हैं, और अज्ञान भी।
Meaning in English
From sattva arises true knowledge, and from rajas arises greed; from tamas come carelessness and delusion, and ignorance as well.
Bhagavad Gita 14.17 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| सत्त्वात् | sattvāt | from sattva |
| सञ्जायते | sañjāyate | arises |
| ज्ञानम् | jñānam | knowledge |
| रजसः | rajasaḥ | from rajas |
| लोभः | lobhaḥ | greed |
| एव च | eva ca | and indeed |
| प्रमादमोहौ | pramāda-mohau | carelessness and delusion |
| तमसः | tamasaḥ | from tamas |
| भवतः | bhavataḥ | arise |
| अज्ञानम् | ajñānam | ignorance |
| एव च | eva ca | and also |
Explanation
From sattva arises knowledge, from rajas greed, and from tamas arise carelessness, delusion and ignorance. Each guna produces its own typical state of mind, and that state in turn shapes the fruits of a person's actions and the direction of a whole life.
This verse explains why the fruits of the previous verse follow. Sattva naturally produces understanding, which leads to peace. Rajas produces greed, which leads to pain. Tamas produces negligence and confusion, which deepen ignorance. Shankara observes that this is why the wise cultivate sattva as a step on the way. The verse turns the gunas into a practical cause-and-effect map of the mind.
भावार्थ
सत्त्वगुण से ज्ञान उत्पन्न होता है, रजोगुण से लोभ, और तमोगुण से प्रमाद, मोह और अज्ञान उत्पन्न होते हैं। जैसा गुण होता है, वैसी ही मन की दशा बनती है।
Living it today
What you read, eat and watch feeds one guna or another. Choose inputs that leave your mind clearer.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 14.17?
From sattva arises knowledge, from rajas greed, and from tamas arise carelessness, delusion and ignorance. Each guna produces its own typical state of mind, and that state in turn shapes the fruits of a person's actions and the direction of a whole life.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 14.17?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 14 (Gunatraya Vibhaga Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 14.17 in daily life?
What you read, eat and watch feeds one guna or another. Choose inputs that leave your mind clearer.
Reflected on verse 14.17?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.