In Chapter 14 of the Bhagavad Gita, Shree Krishna unravels one of the most foundational truths of human behavior and spiritual evolution — the concept of the three gunas: Sattva (goodness), Rajas (passion), and Tamas (ignorance). These three qualities are the building blocks of all thoughts, actions, and inclinations in the material world.
🔗 Read Bhagavad Gita Chapter 14 online
1. The Supreme Knowledge That Liberates
Bhagavad Gita Verse 14.1
"I shall now reveal to you the supreme knowledge, knowing which all the sages have attained the highest perfection."
🔗 14.1
Shree Krishna begins by declaring that understanding the three gunas is not just philosophical — it is liberating. This knowledge enables one to transcend nature's bondage and reach spiritual freedom.
Ramayan Insight:
When Lakshman served Shri Ram during exile, his spirit was marked by unwavering sattva. Even in hardship, his devotion and clarity never waned. Lakshman knew his dharma and was not swayed by personal desire (rajas) or laziness (tamas). This knowledge of selfless duty made him a liberated soul.
Lesson: True knowledge is not just knowing the gunas but realizing how to rise above them.
2. The Soul in the Womb of the Divine
Bhagavad Gita Verse 14.3
"The total material substance is the womb, and I am the seed-giving Father."
🔗 14.3
The soul is divine, but it takes birth in material nature. Shree Krishna reveals His role as the divine source of life, while prakriti (nature) is the field where life manifests.
Puranic Insight:
In the Bhagavatam, it is said that when the universe had to be recreated after the great deluge, Lord Vishnu laid the seed of life into Mahamaya. From this, Lord Brahma was born to begin creation.
Lesson: Although the body arises from material nature, the soul is divine — sown by God Himself.
3. The Three Gunas – Binding the Soul
Bhagavad Gita Verse 14.5
"Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas — these three gunas bind the soul to the body."
🔗 14.5
All human actions are governed by these three qualities. While sattva illuminates, rajas agitates, and tamas obscures truth. They keep the soul entangled in the material world.
Mahabharat Insight:
Duryodhana was deeply dominated by rajas and tamas — ambition, envy, and arrogance clouded his mind. On the other hand, Bhishma, though a great soul, was unable to act rightly at times due to the strong influence of tamas (attachment to vow). In contrast, Vidura remained mostly in sattva, guided by dharma.
Lesson: Recognize which guna dominates you — and learn to shift toward sattva to prepare for spiritual growth.
4. Characteristics of the Three Gunas
Sattva - The Mode of Goodness
Bhagavad Gita Verse 14.6
"Sattva is pure, illuminating, and free from sickness. It binds by attachment to happiness and knowledge."
🔗 14.6
Sattva elevates a person towards contentment, clarity, and self-discipline. However, even sattva binds one — to peace and happiness.
Story: The Saintly King Janaka
King Janaka ruled with detachment and clarity. Though surrounded by opulence, he remained unaffected. The Upanishads call him a rajrishi, a king-sage, living in sattva. He meditated, ruled justly, and was unattached to results.
Lesson: Sattva should be a stepping stone — not a destination.
Rajas - The Mode of Passion
Bhagavad Gita Verse 14.7
"Rajas is of the nature of passion. It arises from desires and attachments. It binds the soul by attachment to action and its fruits."
🔗 14.7
Rajas brings ambition, striving, and restlessness. It pushes the soul into karma — driven by rewards and results.
Story: Ravana’s Rajasika Nature
Ravana, though learned, was consumed by rajas. His desire to possess Sita, his craving for power, and his pride blinded him. Despite being a devotee of Shiva, his passions led to ruin.
Lesson: Even great intellect cannot protect one from downfall if desires are unbridled.
Tamas - The Mode of Ignorance
Bhagavad Gita Verse 14.8
"Tamas is born of ignorance. It deludes all living beings. It binds by negligence, laziness, and sleep."
🔗 14.8
Tamas is the lowest guna — it darkens consciousness, promoting confusion, lethargy, and indulgence.
Story: Kumbhakarna’s Tamasic State
Ravana’s brother Kumbhakarna was a symbol of tamas — excessive sleep, inactivity, and indulgence. Even though he was powerful, his dormant state represented spiritual darkness.
Lesson: In tamas, we may not even realize we are falling — that is the most dangerous ignorance.
5. Effects of the Gunas at the Time of Death
Bhagavad Gita Verse 14.14-15
"Those who die in the mode of sattva attain higher worlds; in rajas, they return to earthly life; in tamas, they fall to lower realms."
🔗 14.14
🔗 14.15
Death reflects one’s dominant state of being. The thoughts and attachments at the final moment are shaped by the prevailing guna.
Puranic Example:
Ajamila, as told in the Bhagavatam, lived a sinful, tamasic life. But at the moment of death, he called out “Narayana” — the name of his son — which invoked the Lord’s grace and saved him. It was a rare exception, showing how the final moment can transform one’s destiny.
Lesson: Our entire life prepares us for that final test — our thoughts at death reveal our soul's trajectory.
6. How the Gunas Manifest in Daily Life
Bhagavad Gita Verse 14.17
"From sattva arises true knowledge; from rajas, greed; and from tamas, delusion."
🔗 14.17
Our speech, habits, eating, relationships — everything is colored by the gunas.
Saintly Example: Swami Vivekananda
His clarity, strength of mind, selfless work, and detachment reflected sattva. Even while engaging in worldly affairs, his actions were not driven by greed (rajas) or ego (tamas). His life was a shining example of how sattva can uplift even in activism.
Lesson: Watch your thoughts and lifestyle — they determine which guna is getting stronger.
7. Rising Above the Three Gunas
Bhagavad Gita Verse 14.20
"When the embodied soul rises above the gunas, he becomes free from birth, death, old age, and sorrow."
🔗 14.20
The goal of spiritual practice is not to remain in sattva, but to transcend even that and become gunatita — beyond the gunas. Only then does one attain liberation.
Ramayan Example: Lord Hanuman
Hanuman is gunatita. Though he displayed strength (rajas), humility (sattva), and even wrath at times (tamas), he was never bound by any. His only goal was service to Ram. His nature was like a perfect mirror — reflecting what was needed but always centered in divine consciousness.
Lesson: True freedom lies not in suppressing the gunas, but rising above their hold by taking refuge in God.
8. The Signs of a Transcendent Soul
Bhagavad Gita Verse 14.22-25
"One who neither hates nor desires the presence or absence of the gunas is said to have transcended them."
🔗 14.22
Such a soul is unaffected by praise or insult, joy or sorrow. They remain like a calm ocean — engaged yet untouched.
Upanishadic Insight:
The Mundaka Upanishad says: “The wise, who have realized the Self, look upon all beings with an equal eye.” This is the mark of one beyond the gunas — they see unity amidst duality.
Lesson: When you act without expectation, react without agitation, and love without attachment — you are transcending the gunas.
9. Bhakti: The Supreme Path to Transcendence
Bhagavad Gita Verse 14.26
"Those who serve Me with unalloyed devotion rise above the gunas and attain Brahman."
🔗 14.26
Devotion (bhakti) is the surest way to surpass the gunas. It dissolves ego, melts karma, and purifies consciousness.
Example: Meerabai’s Bhakti
Meera, the saint-queen, left behind all royal comforts to serve Lord Krishna. Her pure, unconditional love was beyond all gunas. Neither her family’s opposition nor societal pressures could deter her. She sang with tears, danced with abandon — her life was her devotion.
Lesson: Bhakti lifts us from nature to Spirit — from bondage to freedom.
10. The Ultimate Destination – Becoming Brahman
Bhagavad Gita Verse 14.27
"For I am the abode of the immortal Brahman, of eternal dharma, and of unending bliss."
🔗 14.27
Shree Krishna concludes that He is beyond even Brahman — the Supreme Personality who is the source of bliss and dharma.
Insight from Patanjali Yog Sutra:
Patanjali states: “Ishvara is Purusha-Vishesha — untouched by afflictions and karma.” Krishna is that Supreme Being, and by surrendering to Him, the yogi attains the param-dhama (supreme abode).
Lesson: The soul finds peace not by trying to control the gunas, but by surrendering to the Lord who controls them.
Conclusion: The Path of Self-Mastery
The Gita does not demand immediate renunciation. It gives us the map — first recognize the gunas, then cultivate sattva, and ultimately rise above all through devotion and discrimination. The three gunas are the ropes that bind — but through spiritual knowledge, service, and grace, we can untangle ourselves.
🪔 Daily Reflection:
- Am I acting from clarity or compulsion?
- Is this desire coming from ego or divine inspiration?
- Can I respond without reacting?
📿 As you walk the path of bhakti and inner purification, may the Lord help you transcend the play of gunas and find your eternal self in Him.
FAQs
- What are the three gunas described in Bhagavad Gita Chapter 14?
The Gita explains Sattva (goodness), Rajas (passion), and Tamas (ignorance) as the three qualities governing material nature. - How do the three gunas affect our behavior and spiritual progress?
The gunas influence our thoughts, emotions, and actions. Sattva uplifts, Rajas binds with desires, and Tamas leads to ignorance. - Can one rise above the three gunas?
Yes, through devotion (bhakti), self-awareness, and detachment, one can transcend the gunas and attain spiritual liberation. - Which guna is considered best according to the Gita?
Sattva is the most elevating, but even it binds the soul. The Gita advises transcending all three to reach true freedom. - What is the easiest way to go beyond the gunas?
Shree Krishna says that unalloyed devotion to Him is the surest way to rise above the three gunas and attain the Supreme.
