In Bhagavad Gita 14.10, Krishna says sattva prevails by overpowering rajas and tamas; rajas by overpowering sattva and tamas; and tamas by overpowering sattva and rajas.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
रजस्तमश्चाभिभूय
सत्त्वं भवति भारत
रजः सत्त्वं तमश्चैव
तमः सत्त्वं रजस्तथा ॥ १४-१० ॥
rajastamaścābhibhūya
sattvaṃ bhavati bhārata
rajaḥ sattvaṃ tamaścaiva
tamaḥ sattvaṃ rajastathā
English transliteration rajastamashchaabhibhooya
sattvam bhavati bhaarata
rajah sattvam tamashchaiva
tamah sattvam rajastathaa ॥ 14.10 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Sattva prevails, O descendant of Bharata, overpowering rajas and tamas. Rajas prevails, overpowering sattva and tamas; and tamas likewise prevails, overpowering sattva and rajas.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| रजः rajaḥ | rajas |
| तमः tamaḥ | tamas |
| च ca | and |
| अभिभूय abhibhūya | overpowering |
| सत्त्वम् sattvam | sattva |
| भवति bhavati | prevails |
| भारत bhārata | O descendant of Bharata |
| रजः rajaḥ | rajas |
| सत्त्वम् sattvam | sattva |
| तमः tamaḥ | tamas |
| च ca | and |
| एव eva | also |
| तमः tamaḥ | tamas |
| सत्त्वम् sattvam | sattva |
| रजः rajaḥ | rajas |
| तथा tathā | likewise |
Word-wise Chanting
- ra–jas–ta–maś–cā–bhi–bhū–ya 8 syllables ra-jas-ta-mash-chaa-bhi-bhoo-ya
- sat–tvaṃ bha–va–ti bhā–ra–ta | 8 syllables sat-tvam bha-va-ti bhaa-ra-ta
- ra–jaḥ sat–tvaṃ ta–maś–cai–va 8 syllables ra-jah sat-tvam ta-mash-chai-va
- ta–maḥ sat–tvaṃ ra–jas–ta–thā || 14-10 8 syllables ta-mah sat-tvam ra-jas-ta-thaa
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 10
Context
Krishna explains how the gunas interact (14.10–14.13).
Meaning
The three guṇas are always present together, but their balance keeps shifting. At any time one predominates by abhibhūya, overpowering the other two. Our states of mind change as this balance changes.
We are not fixed personalities. Our inner climate shifts. Knowing this, we can encourage sattva through good food, company, rest and practice.
In Practice
Do one thing today that strengthens sattva: a walk in nature, a pure meal or quiet reading.
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.