Bhagavad Gita Chapter 14, Verse 11

Chapter 14 – Gunatraya Vibhaga Yoga · Speaker: Krishna

Sanskrit verse

सर्वद्वारेषु देहेऽस्मिन्प्रकाश उपजायते ।
ज्ञानं यदा तदा विद्याद्विवृद्धं सत्त्वमित्युत ॥

Transliteration

sarvadvāreṣu dehe.asminprakāśa upajāyate .
jñānaṃ yadā tadā vidyādvivṛddhaṃ sattvamityuta ॥

Meaning

When the light of knowledge shines through all the gates of this body, then one should know that sattva has increased.

Word meanings

सर्वद्वारेषु – through all the gates, all the senses
देहे – in the body
अस्मिन् – this
प्रकाशः – light, clarity
उपजायते – arises
ज्ञानम् – knowledge
यदा – when
तदा – then
विद्यात् – one should know
विवृद्धम् – increased, predominant
सत्त्वम् – sattva
इति उत – thus, indeed

Anvaya (word order)

यदा अस्मिन् देहे सर्वद्वारेषु प्रकाशः ज्ञानम् उपजायते, तदा सत्त्वं विवृद्धम् इति उत विद्यात् ।

Explanation

Krishna has said that the gunas take turns in prevailing. How, then, can we tell which one is dominant at a given moment? He now gives the signs of each guna, beginning with sattva.

The body is pictured as a city with gates: eyes, ears, nose, tongue and skin, together with mind and intellect. When 'light' spreads through all these gates, one may know that sattva has grown. This light is clarity and awareness. The eyes see things as they are, the ears listen attentively, the mind is calm and collected, and the intellect judges right and wrong correctly.

Shankara explains that this light is the function of the intellect that manifests as knowledge. In a sattvic state the senses do not run after objects but remain under the guidance of the intellect and receive the truth. A person feels light, cheerful and clear about what ought to be done.

In practical terms, when good thoughts arise naturally, when the meaning of a teaching becomes suddenly clear, when compassion and patience towards others increase, these are signs that sattva is growing. Such moments should be used well, for spiritual practice, study and service.

Context

The previous verse spoke of the gunas prevailing in turn; this verse gives the signs of increased sattva. The next two verses give the signs of increased rajas and tamas.

Life lesson

When the mind is clear, the senses alert and the heart at peace, recognise that sattva has risen, and use that time for good work, study and meditation.

Key terms

Dvara: The 'gates' of the body — the senses, mind and intellect
Prakasha: Light, clarity and awareness — the mark of sattva