Gita 14.9
सत्त्वं सुखे सञ्जयति रज: कर्मणि भारत |
ज्ञानमावृत्य तु तम: प्रमादे सञ्जयत्युत || 9||
sattvaṁ sukhe sañjayati rajaḥ karmaṇi bhārata
jñānam āvṛitya tu tamaḥ pramāde sañjayaty uta
Human behavior and consciousness are influenced by three fundamental modes of material nature: goodness (sattva), passion (rajo), and ignorance (tamo).
Goodness (Sattva): The mode of goodness, or sattva, helps reduce material desires and worldly suffering, bringing a sense of contentment and balance in life. This can be highly positive, but it may also lead to complacency, making one less motivated to pursue spiritual growth. While sattva enhances intellect and knowledge, without spiritual wisdom, this knowledge can sometimes give rise to pride. Such pride can become a barrier to devotion, as seen in scholars, scientists, and intellectuals who may rely solely on their intellect and find it challenging to embrace higher spiritual truths or guidance from God-realized saints.
Passion (Rajo): This mode drives intense activity and attachment to material goals such as wealth, pleasure, and prestige. While it motivates hard work, it also creates karmic bonds that tie individuals more deeply to material existence.
Ignorance (Tamo): Here, the intellect is clouded, and desires manifest in harmful or perverse ways. The inability to discern right from wrong traps individuals in destructive habits, keeping them bound to suffering and ignorance. Despite widespread awareness of its harmful effects, many people continue to smoke, even though cigarette packs carry clear health warnings. This reflects the influence of tamo guṇa—the mode of ignorance—which clouds the intellect and diminishes the ability to discern right from wrong. In pursuit of short-term pleasure, individuals often engage in self-destructive behaviour.
As the saying goes, “A cigarette is a pipe with a fire at one end and a fool at the other.” This example highlights how ignorance can keep the soul trapped in darkness.
Understanding these modes helps us recognise our tendencies and encourages a conscious effort toward spiritual growth.
Gita 14.10
रजस्तमश्चाभिभूय सत्त्वं भवति भारत |
रज: सत्त्वं तमश्चैव तम: सत्त्वं रजस्तथा || 10||
rajas tamaśh chābhibhūya sattvaṁ bhavati bhārata
rajaḥ sattvaṁ tamaśh chaiva tamaḥ sattvaṁ rajas tathā
Shree Krishna explains that the three guṇas—sattva (goodness), rajo (passion), and tamo (ignorance)—are present in everyone’s mind, which is made of material energy. An individual’s temperament constantly oscillates among these three modes, influenced by the environment, thoughts, and past-life tendencies.
Sattva brings peace, contentment, kindness, and clarity.
Rajo causes ambition, restlessness, desire for pleasures, and envy.
Tamo leads to laziness, anger, hatred, and confusion.
Like wrestlers competing for dominance, the guṇas take turns influencing our mind, often changing moment by moment, as illustrated when study, entertainment, or disturbances shift one’s mood and behaviour.
Tamo leads to laziness, anger, hatred, and confusion.
Like wrestlers competing for dominance, the guṇas take turns influencing our mind, often changing moment by moment, as illustrated when study, entertainment, or disturbances shift one’s mood and behaviour.
Gita 14.11- 14.13
सर्वद्वारेषु देहेऽस्मिन्प्रकाश उपजायते |
ज्ञानं यदा तदा विद्याद्विवृद्धं सत्त्वमित्युत || 11||
लोभ: प्रवृत्तिरारम्भ: कर्मणामशम: स्पृहा |
रजस्येतानि जायन्ते विवृद्धे भरतर्षभ || 12||
अप्रकाशोऽप्रवृत्तिश्च प्रमादो मोह एव च |
तमस्येतानि जायन्ते विवृद्धे कुरुनन्दन || 13||
sarva-dvāreṣhu dehe ’smin prakāśha upajāyate
jñānaṁ yadā tadā vidyād vivṛiddhaṁ sattvam ity uta
lobhaḥ pravṛittir ārambhaḥ karmaṇām aśhamaḥ spṛihā
rajasy etāni jāyante vivṛiddhe bharatarṣhabha
aprakāśho ’pravṛittiśh cha pramādo moha eva cha
tamasy etāni jāyante vivṛiddhe kuru-nandana
Shree Krishna explains how the three guṇas—sattva (goodness), rajo (passion), and tamo (ignorance)—influence not only our thoughts and actions but also our attitude toward God and spiritual practice. Sattva inspires devotion and virtues, rajo causes distractions and worldly attachments, and tamo leads to doubt and laziness.
The mind naturally oscillates among these modes, but through sādhanā (spiritual practice), one can rise above their influence, maintaining devotional focus and gradually making spiritual consciousness natural. Ultimately, the goal is to transcend the three guṇas and remain steadfast in devotion.
Summary: JKYog India Online Class- Bhagavad Gita [English]- 27.9.2025
