14. The Three Qualities of Nature

Guṇa Traya Vibhāg Yog

BG 14.10

Purity prevails when passion and ignorance are overcome. Passion reigns when purity and ignorance are overwhelmed, and ignorance arises when purity and passion are overpowered.

रजस्तमश्चाभिभूय सत्त्वं भवति भारत
रजः सत्त्वं तमश्चैव तमः सत्त्वं रजस्तथा

  • rajas — the quality of passion

  • tamaśh — the quality of ignorance

  • chābhibhūya — also surpassing

    • ca — also

    • abhibhūya — surpassing

  • sattvaṁ — the mode of purity

  • bhavati — becomes

  • bhārata — Arjuna

  • rajaḥ — quality of passion

  • sattvaṁ — quality of purity and goodness

  • tamaśh — quality of ignorance

  • chaiva — also like that

    • ca — also

    • eva — like that

  • tamaḥ — quality of ignorance

  • sattvaṁ — quality of purity and goodness

  • rajas — quality of passion

  • tathā — also

...14.5

Of these, purity is luminous and full of well-being. It establishes itself through attachment to happiness and to knowledge.

[6]

Passion, engendered by thirst for pleasure and attachment, establishes itself with attachment to action.

[7]

Ignorance, born of false knowledge and delusion, establishes itself with negligence, laziness, and sleep.

[8]

Purity generates attachment to happiness, passion generates attachment to action, and ignorance generates attachment to negligence.

[9]

Purity prevails when passion and ignorance are overcome. Passion reigns when purity and ignorance are overwhelmed, and ignorance arises when purity and passion are overpowered.

[10]

14.11...
Chapter 14, Verse 10