Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 14 · Gunatraya Vibhaga Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 14.18 ऊर्ध्वं गच्छन्ति सत्त्वस्था मध्ये राजसाः
श्लोक 14.18
ऊर्ध्वं गच्छन्ति सत्त्वस्था मध्ये तिष्ठन्ति राजसाः ।
जघन्यगुणवृत्तिस्था अधो गच्छन्ति तामसाः ॥
ūrdhvaṃ gacchanti sattvasthā madhye tiṣṭhanti rājasāḥ |
jaghanyaguṇavṛttisthā adho gacchanti tāmasāḥ ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
सत्त्व में स्थित लोग ऊपर के लोकों में जाते हैं, राजसी लोग बीच में रहते हैं, और सबसे निचले गुण में स्थित तामसी लोग नीचे जाते हैं।
Meaning in English
Those established in sattva rise upward; the rajasic remain in the middle; and the tamasic, abiding in the lowest quality, sink downward.
Bhagavad Gita 14.18 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| ऊर्ध्वम् | ūrdhvam | upward |
| गच्छन्ति | gacchanti | go |
| सत्त्वस्थाः | sattva-sthāḥ | those established in sattva |
| मध्ये | madhye | in the middle |
| तिष्ठन्ति | tiṣṭhanti | remain |
| राजसाः | rājasāḥ | the rajasic |
| जघन्यगुणवृत्तिस्थाः | jaghanya-guṇa-vṛtti-sthāḥ | abiding in the lowest guna's ways |
| अधः | adhaḥ | downward |
| गच्छन्ति | gacchanti | go |
| तामसाः | tāmasāḥ | the tamasic |
Explanation
Those established in sattva rise upward, the rajasic remain in the middle, and the tamasic, living in the ways of the lowest quality, sink downward. The three gunas set the direction of a soul's journey, up, level or down. Each guna has its direction.
Upward, middle and downward are commonly read as higher worlds, human life and lower births. They can also be read as directions of inner growth: sattva lifts, rajas keeps one circling, tamas pulls down. Shankara takes the levels as different realms of rebirth. The verse completes the account of what each guna leads to before Krishna turns to the way beyond all three.
भावार्थ
सत्त्वगुण में स्थित लोग ऊपर के लोकों को जाते हैं, रजोगुणी मध्य में रहते हैं, और निकृष्ट गुण की वृत्ति में स्थित तमोगुणी नीचे जाते हैं। गुण ही जीव की गति की दिशा तय करते हैं।
Living it today
Ask whether a habit lifts you, keeps you circling or pulls you down. Then nudge yourself one step upward.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 14.18?
Those established in sattva rise upward, the rajasic remain in the middle, and the tamasic, living in the ways of the lowest quality, sink downward. The three gunas set the direction of a soul's journey, up, level or down. Each guna has its direction.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 14.18?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 14 (Gunatraya Vibhaga Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 14.18 in daily life?
Ask whether a habit lifts you, keeps you circling or pulls you down. Then nudge yourself one step upward.
Reflected on verse 14.18?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.