Chapter 18, Verse 40 (Bhagavad Gita 18.40)
Chapter 18: Mokṣha Sanyās Yog – Yoga through the Perfection of Renunciation and Surrender
Sanskrit Shloka
न तदस्ति पृथिव्यां वा दिवि देवेषु वा पुनः।सत्त्वं प्रकृतिजैर्मुक्तं यदेभिः स्यात्ित्रभिर्गुणैः
Transliteration
na tad asti pṛithivyāṁ vā divi deveṣhu vā punaḥ sattvaṁ prakṛiti-jair muktaṁ yad ebhiḥ syāt tribhir guṇaiḥ
Word Meanings
na—no; tat—that; asti—exists; pṛithivyām—on earth; vā—or; divi—the higher celestial abodes; deveṣhu—amongst the celestial gods; vā—or; punaḥ—again; sattvam—existence; prakṛiti-jaiḥ—born of material nature; muktam—liberated; yat—that; ebhiḥ—from the influence of these; syāt—is; tribhiḥ—three; guṇaiḥ—modes of material nature
Translation
There is no being on earth or among the celestial gods in the higher realms who is free from these three modes born of material nature.
Meaning & Commentary
Lord Krishna reveals the profound truth that every living soul conditioned by material existence remains under the influence of the three gunas: sattva, rajas, and tamas. By articulating this to Arjuna, Yogeshwar Krishna underscores that liberation is not found through mere worldly status or celestial elevation, but only through the transcendence of these modes. As the Supreme Lord, Shri Krishna invites the seeker to recognize that as long as one identifies with the material body, they remain bound by Nature's laws. True liberation, or moksha, is attained only when the soul transcends these fluctuations by taking complete refuge in the lotus feet of the Divine. Through His grace, the soul shifts from the bondage of material nature to the eternal freedom of serving the Supreme Person.