Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 18 · Moksha Sannyasa Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 18.19 ज्ञानं कर्म च कर्ता च त्रिधैव गुणभेदतः
श्लोक 18.19
ज्ञानं कर्म च कर्ता च त्रिधैव गुणभेदतः ।
प्रोच्यते गुणसङ्ख्याने यथावच्छृणु तान्यपि ॥
jñānaṃ karma ca kartā ca tridhaiva guṇabhedataḥ |
procyate guṇasaṅkhyāne yathāvacchṛṇu tānyapi ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
गुणों का वर्णन करने वाले शास्त्र में ज्ञान, कर्म और कर्ता, तीनों को गुणों के भेद से तीन-तीन प्रकार का बताया गया है। उन्हें भी ठीक-ठीक सुनो।
Meaning in English
Knowledge, action and the doer are each said to be of three kinds in the science of the gunas, according to the difference of the gunas. Hear about them as they are.
Bhagavad Gita 18.19 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| ज्ञानम् | jñānam | knowledge |
| कर्म | karma | action |
| च | ca | and |
| कर्ता | kartā | the doer |
| च | ca | and |
| त्रिधा एव | tridhā eva | of three kinds only |
| गुणभेदतः | guṇa-bhedataḥ | by distinction of the gunas |
| प्रोच्यते | procyate | are declared |
| गुणसङ्ख्याने | guṇa-saṅkhyāne | in the science of the gunas |
| यथावत् | yathāvat | as they are |
| शृणु | śṛṇu | hear |
| तानि | tāni | them |
| अपि | api | also |
Explanation
In the teaching that classifies the gunas, knowledge, action and the doer are each said to be of three kinds, according to the difference of the qualities. Krishna asks Arjuna to listen as he explains them in turn, exactly as they are.
Guṇa-saṅkhyāna is generally taken to mean the Sankhya philosophy, which first developed the analysis of nature into sattva, rajas and tamas. Shankara notes that Krishna accepts its account of the gunas as authoritative here, even if not its whole metaphysics. Ramanuja likewise treats it as a reliable account of how prakriti shapes experience. The verse introduces the three triads of 18.20 to 18.28, which form a practical map for recognising one's own tendencies.
भावार्थ
गुणों की गणना करने वाले शास्त्र में ज्ञान, कर्म और कर्ता — इन तीनों को गुणों के भेद से तीन-तीन प्रकार का बताया गया है। उन्हें भी यथार्थ रूप से सुनो।
Living it today
Use the three gunas as a mirror. Ask whether your knowing, doing and attitude today lean toward clarity, restlessness or dullness.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 18.19?
In the teaching that classifies the gunas, knowledge, action and the doer are each said to be of three kinds, according to the difference of the qualities. Krishna asks Arjuna to listen as he explains them in turn, exactly as they are.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 18.19?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 18 (Moksha Sannyasa Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 18.19 in daily life?
Use the three gunas as a mirror. Ask whether your knowing, doing and attitude today lean toward clarity, restlessness or dullness.
Reflected on verse 18.19?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.