In Bhagavad Gita 14.18, Krishna says those established in sattva rise upward, the rajasic stay in the middle, and the tamasic, in the lowest qualities, sink downward.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
ऊर्ध्वं गच्छन्ति सत्त्वस्था
मध्ये तिष्ठन्ति राजसाः
जघन्यगुणवृत्तिस्था
अधो गच्छन्ति तामसाः ॥ १४-१८ ॥
ūrdhvaṃ gacchanti sattvasthā
madhye tiṣṭhanti rājasāḥ
jaghanyaguṇavṛttisthā
adho gacchanti tāmasāḥ
English transliteration oordhvam gachchhanti sattvasthaa
madhye tishthanti raajasaah
jaghanyagunavrittisthaa
adho gachchhanti taamasaah ॥ 14.18 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Those established in sattva go upward; the rajasic remain in the middle; and the tamasic, abiding in the functions of the lowest guna, go downward.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ऊर्ध्वम् ūrdhvam | upward |
| गच्छन्ति gacchanti | go |
| सत्त्वस्थाः sattvasthāḥ | established in sattva sattva (sattva) + sthāḥ (established) |
| मध्ये madhye | in the middle |
| तिष्ठन्ति tiṣṭhanti | remain |
| राजसाः rājasāḥ | the rajasic |
| जघन्यगुणवृत्तिस्थाः jaghanyaguṇavṛttisthāḥ | abiding in the functions of the lowest guṇa jaghanya (lowest) + guṇa (guṇa) + vṛtti (functions) + sthāḥ (abiding) |
| अधः adhaḥ | downward |
| गच्छन्ति gacchanti | go |
| तामसाः tāmasāḥ | the tamasic |
Word-wise Chanting
- ūr–dhvaṃ gac–chan–ti sat–tvas–thā 8 syllables oor-dhvam gach-chhan-ti sat-tvas-thaa
- madh–ye tiṣ–ṭhan–ti rā–ja–sāḥ | 8 syllables madh-ye tish-than-ti raa-ja-saah
- ja–ghan–ya–gu–ṇa–vṛt–tis–thā 8 syllables ja-ghan-ya-gu-na-vrit-tis-thaa
- a–dho gac–chan–ti tā–ma–sāḥ || 14-18 8 syllables a-dho gach-chhan-ti taa-ma-saah
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 18
Context
Krishna summarises the direction each guna leads (14.16–14.18).
Meaning
Sattva leads ūrdhvam, upward, to higher states. Rajas keeps one in the madhya, the middle, the human world of restless activity. Tamas leads adhaḥ, downward, to lower conditions.
This is a map of spiritual direction. Every choice moves us slightly upward, sideways or downward.
In Practice
Before each important choice today, ask: will this lift me up, keep me where I am, or pull me down?
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.