In Bhagavad Gita 14.17, Krishna says from sattva arises knowledge, from rajas greed, and from tamas heedlessness, delusion and ignorance.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
सत्त्वात्सञ्जायते ज्ञानं
रजसो लोभ एव च
प्रमादमोहौ तमसो
भवतोऽज्ञानमेव च ॥ १४-१७ ॥
sattvātsañjāyate jñānaṃ
rajaso lobha eva ca
pramādamohau tamaso
bhavato’jñānameva ca
English transliteration sattvaatsanjaayate jnaanam
rajaso lobha eva cha
pramaadamohau tamaso
bhavato’jnaanameva cha ॥ 14.17 ॥
Translation / Meaning
From sattva arises knowledge; from rajas, greed; and from tamas arise heedlessness, delusion and also ignorance.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| सत्त्वात् sattvāt | from sattva |
| सञ्जायते sañjāyate | arises |
| ज्ञानम् jñānam | knowledge |
| रजसः rajasaḥ | from rajas |
| लोभः lobhaḥ | greed |
| एव eva | indeed |
| च ca | and |
| प्रमादमोहौ pramādamohau | heedlessness and delusion pramāda (heedlessness) + mohau (delusion) |
| तमसः tamasaḥ | from tamas |
| भवतः bhavataḥ | arise |
| अज्ञानम् ajñānam | ignorance |
| एव eva | also |
| च ca | and |
Word-wise Chanting
- sat–tvāt–sañ–jā–ya–te jñā–naṃ 8 syllables sat-tvaat-san-jaa-ya-te jnaa-nam
- ra–ja–so lo–bha e–va ca | 8 syllables ra-ja-so lo-bha e-va cha
- pra–mā–da–mo–hau ta–ma–so 8 syllables pra-maa-da-mo-hau ta-ma-so
- bha–va–to–‘jñā–na–me–va ca || 14-17 8 syllables bha-va-to-‘jnaa-na-me-va cha
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 17
Context
Krishna describes the results of the gunas (14.16–14.18).
Meaning
Each guṇa produces its own mental state. Sattva produces jñāna, understanding; rajas produces lobha, greed; tamas produces pramāda, moha and ajñāna, carelessness, confusion and ignorance.
To grow in understanding, we need to cultivate sattva through a pure lifestyle, good company and reflection.
In Practice
Spend time today in an activity that clearly increases understanding: study, reflection or a meaningful conversation.
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.