October 6, 2026
sarvadvāreṣu dehe ’smin prakāśa upajāyate
jñānaṁ yadā tadā vidyād vivṛddhaṁ sattvam ity uta (XIV-11)
lobhaḥ pravṛttir āraṁbhaḥ karmaṇām aśamaḥ spṛhā
rajasy etāni jāyante vivṛddhe bharatarṣabha (XIV-12)
aprakāśo ’pravṛttiś ca pramādo moha eva ca
tamasy etāni jāyante vivṛddhe kurunandana (XIV-13)
XIV/11.When, through every gate (sense) in this body
the wisdom-light shines, then it may be known that
sattva is predominant.
XIV/12. Greed, activity, the undertaking of actions, restlessness,
longing – these arise when rajas is predominant, O Arjuna.
XIV/13. Darkness, inertness, heedlessness and delusion– these
arise when tamas is predominant, O Arjuna.
Swamiji's Commentary
Here and in the seventeenth (and part of the eighteenth) chapter, Krishna classifies the three guṇā in great detail. Our endeavor should always be to keep clear of unnecessary tamas (sleep, for instance, may be necessary), and turn even rājasa energy sattva-ward. Even sattva is not the goal; but it is the quality nearest the centre. It is a transparent veil and hence allows a full vision of the reality. In all that we engage ourselves in, if we avoid the tāmasa category and increase the sattva in us, so that it will utilise the rājasa energy for our own and others spiritual evolution, we shall soon discover the path of sattva-transcendence.
When sattva prevails, there is wisdom and light all the senses. They do not distract the mind. Knowledge of this will help us utilize these periods for meditation on God (which will sustain the sattva) and for spiritual ministry.
When rajas prevails, there is restlessness within and the urge to be active. One may not be able to completely avoid this, nor is it always necessary to avoid it. Nārada, in his Bhakti Sutrā, assures us that even desire, egoism and so on can be directed towards God. When there is longing for a worldly object, it is possible, with good preliminary training, or to turn the longing Godward!
When tamas prevails and there is stupidity in the mind, we should avoid its expression in actions and, – various methods like yoga āsana, prāṇāyama, a brisk walk, and so on, drive tamas away.
Knowledge of the guṇā for understanding of oneself is a great help.