In Bhagavad Gita 14.1, Krishna promises to declare again the supreme knowledge, the best of all knowledge, by knowing which all the sages reached the highest perfection.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
परं भूयः प्रवक्ष्यामि
ज्ञानानां ज्ञानमुत्तमम्
यज्ज्ञात्वा मुनयः सर्वे
परां सिद्धिमितो गताः ॥ १४-१ ॥
paraṃ bhūyaḥ pravakṣyāmi
jñānānāṃ jñānamuttamam
yajjñātvā munayaḥ sarve
parāṃ siddhimito gatāḥ
English transliteration param bhooyah pravakshyaami
jnaanaanaam jnaanamuttamam
yajjnaatvaa munayah sarve
paraam siddhimito gataah ॥ 14.1 ॥
Translation / Meaning
The Blessed Lord said: I shall declare again that supreme knowledge, the best of all knowledge, knowing which all the sages have passed from this world to the highest perfection.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| परम् param | supreme |
| भूयः bhūyaḥ | again |
| प्रवक्ष्यामि pravakṣyāmi | I shall declare |
| ज्ञानानाम् jñānānām | of all knowledge |
| ज्ञानम् jñānam | knowledge |
| उत्तमम् uttamam | the best |
| यत् yat | which |
| ज्ञात्वा jñātvā | knowing |
| मुनयः munayaḥ | sages |
| सर्वे sarve | all |
| पराम् parām | highest |
| सिद्धिम् siddhim | perfection |
| इतः itaḥ | from this world |
| गताः gatāḥ | have passed |
Word-wise Chanting
- pa–raṃ bhū–yaḥ pra–vakṣ–yā–mi 8 syllables pa-ram bhoo-yah pra-vaksh-yaa-mi
- jñā–nā–nāṃ jñā–na–mut–ta–mam | 8 syllables jnaa-naa-naam jnaa-na-mut-ta-mam
- yaj–jñāt–vā mu–na–yaḥ sar–ve 8 syllables yaj-jnaat-vaa mu-na-yah sar-ve
- pa–rāṃ sid–dhi–mi–to ga–tāḥ || 14-1 8 syllables pa-raam sid-dhi-mi-to ga-taah
How to read this
How to chant: each line is one pāda (quarter-verse); chant it in one breath. The hyphen (-) divides the syllables, inside a word and across a sandhi join, so every pāda shows its 8 syllables (11 in triṣṭubh verses). A consonant cluster is divided after its first consonant (kar-ma, vet-ti): that syllable is held longer. Mark above a syllable: guru, long (two beats); laghu, short (one beat). | closes the half-verse, || the verse; the number is the syllable count of the pāda.
Deeper Explanation – Chapter 14 Verse 1
Context
Chapter 14, the Yoga of the Division of the Three Gunas, continues the analysis of nature begun in Chapter 13.
Meaning
Krishna introduces the teaching on the three guṇas as uttama jñāna, the best knowledge, because it shows exactly how nature binds the soul and how to go beyond it. The munis, sages, who understood it reached parā siddhi, the highest perfection.
Knowledge of the guṇas is intensely practical. It helps us understand our own moods, habits and tendencies, and how to rise above them.
In Practice
As you read this chapter, observe which quality is most active in you at different times of the day.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 14: Gunatraya Vibhaga Yoga (The Three Gunas). Read the chapter overview, browse every verse of the Gita, or return to the chapter-by-chapter guide. For a reading plan, see how to study the Bhagavad Gita and the study resources.