Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 18 · Moksha Sannyasa Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 18.40 न तदस्ति पृथिव्यां वा दिवि देवेषु वा पुनः
श्लोक 18.40
न तदस्ति पृथिव्यां वा दिवि देवेषु वा पुनः ।
सत्त्वं प्रकृतिजैर्मुक्तं यदेभिः स्यात्त्रिभिर्गुणैः ॥
na tadasti pṛthivyāṃ vā divi deveṣu vā punaḥ |
sattvaṃ prakṛtijairmuktaṃ yadebhiḥ syāttribhirguṇaiḥ ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
पृथ्वी पर, स्वर्ग में या देवताओं में भी ऐसा कोई प्राणी नहीं है, जो प्रकृति से उत्पन्न इन तीन गुणों से मुक्त हो।
Meaning in English
There is no being on earth, or in heaven among the gods, that is free from these three gunas born of prakriti (material nature).
Bhagavad Gita 18.40 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| न | na | not |
| तत् | tat | that |
| अस्ति | asti | there is |
| पृथिव्याम् | pṛthivyām | on earth |
| वा | vā | or |
| दिवि | divi | in heaven |
| देवेषु | deveṣu | among the gods |
| वा | vā | or |
| पुनः | punaḥ | again |
| सत्त्वम् | sattvam | being, creature |
| प्रकृतिजैः | prakṛti-jaiḥ | born of nature |
| मुक्तम् | muktam | free |
| यत् | yat | which |
| एभिः | ebhiḥ | from these |
| स्यात् | syāt | may be |
| त्रिभिः | tribhiḥ | three |
| गुणैः | guṇaiḥ | qualities |
Explanation
There is no being, on earth or in heaven among the gods, that is free from these three qualities born of nature. Everything that exists within prakriti is shaped by some mixture of sattva, rajas and tamas. No one stands entirely outside their play.
This verse closes the long analysis of the gunas that began at 18.19 and leads into the discussion of varna and svadharma from 18.41. Sattva here means a being or existent thing, not the guna of the same name. Shankara uses the verse to show that all of samsara, from gods down, falls within the gunas, so liberation lies beyond them, as taught in 14.26. Ramanuja adds that only the Lord and the freed soul transcend them. Many readers find in it a reason for humility and compassion.
भावार्थ
पृथ्वी पर, स्वर्ग में अथवा देवताओं में भी ऐसा कोई प्राणी नहीं है जो प्रकृति से उत्पन्न इन तीन गुणों से मुक्त हो।
Living it today
Everyone, including you, is a mix of clarity, restlessness and inertia. Be patient with others and with yourself while working toward clarity.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 18.40?
There is no being, on earth or in heaven among the gods, that is free from these three qualities born of nature. Everything that exists within prakriti is shaped by some mixture of sattva, rajas and tamas. No one stands entirely outside their play.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 18.40?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 18 (Moksha Sannyasa Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 18.40 in daily life?
Everyone, including you, is a mix of clarity, restlessness and inertia. Be patient with others and with yourself while working toward clarity.
Reflected on verse 18.40?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.