In Bhagavad Gita 14.11, Krishna says that when the light of knowledge shines through all the gates of the body, then know that sattva has increased.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
सर्वद्वारेषु देहेऽस्मिन्
प्रकाश उपजायते
ज्ञानं यदा तदा विद्याद्
विवृद्धं सत्त्वमित्युत ॥ १४-११ ॥
sarvadvāreṣu dehe’smin
prakāśa upajāyate
jñānaṃ yadā tadā vidyād
vivṛddhaṃ sattvamityuta
English transliteration sarvadvaareshu dehe’smin
prakaasha upajaayate
jnaanam yadaa tadaa vidyaad
vivriddham sattvamityuta ॥ 14.11 ॥
Translation / Meaning
When the light of knowledge shines through all the gates of this body, then it should be known that sattva has increased.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| सर्वद्वारेषु sarvadvāreṣu | through all the gates sarva (all) + dvāreṣu (gates) |
| देहे dehe | body |
| अस्मिन् asmin | in this |
| प्रकाशः prakāśaḥ | light |
| उपजायते upajāyate | shines |
| ज्ञानम् jñānam | knowledge |
| यदा yadā | when |
| तदा tadā | then |
| विद्यात् vidyāt | should be known |
| विवृद्धम् vivṛddham | increased |
| सत्त्वम् sattvam | sattva |
| इति iti | thus |
| उत uta | indeed |
Word-wise Chanting
- sar–vad–vā–re–ṣu de–he–‘smin– 8 syllables sar-vad-vaa-re-shu de-he-‘smin-
- pra–kā–śa u–pa–jā–ya–te | 8 syllables pra-kaa-sha u-pa-jaa-ya-te
- jñā–naṃ ya–dā ta–dā vid–yād– 8 syllables jnaa-nam ya-daa ta-daa vid-yaad-
- vi–vṛd–dhaṃ sat–tva–mit–yu–ta || 14-11 8 syllables vi-vrid-dham sat-tva-mit-yu-ta
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 11
Context
Krishna describes the signs of each guna (14.11–14.13).
Meaning
When sattva is strong, the senses, the gates of the body, are filled with prakāśa, light and clarity. One perceives clearly, thinks clearly and understands. This luminous state is the sign of sattva.
We can recognise sattva in ourselves by its clarity and lightness. It is the best state for meditation and wise decisions.
In Practice
Notice a moment of clarity today, and use it to make an important decision or to meditate.
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.