Chapter 14, Verse 18 (Bhagavad Gita 14.18)
Chapter 14: Guṇa Traya Vibhāg Yog – Yoga through Understanding the Three Modes of Material Nature
Sanskrit Shloka
ऊर्ध्वं गच्छन्ति सत्त्वस्था मध्ये तिष्ठन्ति राजसाः।जघन्यगुणवृत्तिस्था अधो गच्छन्ति तामसाः
Transliteration
ūrdhvaṁ gachchhanti sattva-sthā madhye tiṣhṭhanti rājasāḥ jaghanya-guṇa-vṛitti-sthā adho gachchhanti tāmasāḥ
Word Meanings
ūrdhvam—upward; gachchhanti—rise; sattva-sthāḥ—those situated in the mode of goodness; madhye—in the middle; tiṣhṭhanti—stay; rājasāḥ—those in the mode of passion; jaghanya—abominable; guṇa—quality; vṛitti-sthāḥ—engaged in activities; adhaḥ—down; gachchhanti—go; tāmasāḥ—those in the mode of ignorance
Translation
Those established in Sattva ascend to higher realms, those governed by Rajas remain in the middle sphere, and those immersed in the functions of Tamas descend to lower states.
Meaning & Commentary
In this profound revelation, Bhagwan Shri Krishna delineates the cosmic law of spiritual gravitation based on the soul’s alignment with the three Gunas. By mastering the nature of our thoughts and actions, we determine our own journey through the infinite cycles of existence. Shri Krishna urges the seeker to transcend the lower modes of nature, for the quality of one's consciousness dictates the destination of the eternal soul. Liberation, or Moksha, begins when we consciously align ourselves with the Sattvic path, eventually transcending all three Gunas to reside in the eternal presence of Shri Krishna.