Bhagavad Gita Chapter 14, Verse 10

Chapter 14 – Gunatraya Vibhaga Yoga · Speaker: Krishna

Sanskrit verse

रजस्तमश्चाभिभूय सत्त्वं भवति भारत ।
रजः सत्त्वं तमश्चैव तमः सत्त्वं रजस्तथा ॥

Transliteration

rajastamaścābhibhūya sattvaṃ bhavati bhārata .
rajaḥ sattvaṃ tamaścaiva tamaḥ sattvaṃ rajastathā ॥

Meaning

Sometimes sattva prevails, O Bharata, overpowering rajas and tamas; sometimes rajas prevails, overpowering sattva and tamas; and likewise tamas prevails, overpowering sattva and rajas.

Word meanings

रजः – rajas
तमः – tamas
च – and
अभिभूय – overpowering, subduing
सत्त्वम् – sattva
भवति – prevails, becomes predominant
भारत – O Bharata
रजः – rajas (prevails)
सत्त्वम् – sattva
तमः च एव – and tamas too
तमः – tamas (prevails)
सत्त्वं रजः – sattva and rajas (overpowered)
तथा – likewise

Anvaya (word order)

भारत, रजः तमः च अभिभूय सत्त्वं भवति; सत्त्वं तमः च (अभिभूय) एव रजः (भवति); तथा सत्त्वं रजः (च अभिभूय) तमः (भवति) ।

Explanation

The previous verse told us what each guna binds us to. A natural question follows: if all three are present in everyone, how can they all act at once? Krishna answers that all three are always present, but at any given time one predominates and suppresses the other two.

Abhibhuya, 'overpowering', suggests a constant contest among the gunas. In the calm of early morning meditation sattva may lead; in the bustle of the working day, rajas; in late-night exhaustion or intoxication, tamas. Food, company, surroundings, thoughts and actions all lend strength to one guna or another.

This is a hopeful teaching. It means that a person's nature is not carved in stone. No one is condemned to remain tamasic forever. Whichever guna we nourish will grow. Sattvic food, good company, study of scripture, a disciplined routine and selfless work strengthen sattva; sloth, bad company and overindulgence strengthen tamas.

The verse is also a warning. The predominance of sattva is never permanent; a little carelessness and rajas or tamas rise again. The seeker must therefore stay watchful. The ultimate aim is to rise above this shifting play altogether and become its witness, as described later in the marks of one who has transcended the gunas.

Context

The previous verse summarised the effects of the three gunas; this one shows how they take turns in prevailing. Verses 11 to 13 then describe the signs by which one can recognise which guna is currently dominant.

Life lesson

Our nature is not fixed but can be changed. Whichever guna we feed through food, company and habit will grow strong, so consciously make room in your life for what nourishes sattva.

Key terms

Abhibhava: Overpowering, subduing
Guna predominance: The temporary dominance of one guna over the others