In Bhagavad Gita 14.23, Krishna says that one who sits as if unconcerned, undisturbed by the gunas, knowing that only the gunas act, remains firm and does not waver.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
उदासीनवदासीनो
गुणैर्यो न विचाल्यते
गुणा वर्तन्त इत्येवं
योऽवतिष्ठति नेङ्गते ॥ १४-२३ ॥
udāsīnavadāsīno
guṇairyo na vicālyate
guṇā vartanta ityevaṃ
yo’vatiṣṭhati neṅgate
English transliteration udaaseenavadaaseeno
gunairyo na vichaalyate
gunaa vartanta ityevam
yo’vatishthati nengate ॥ 14.23 ॥
Translation / Meaning
One who sits as if unconcerned, who is not disturbed by the gunas, who remains firm, knowing “the gunas alone are acting,” and does not waver,
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| उदासीनवत् udāsīnavat | as if unconcerned |
| आसीनः āsīnaḥ | seated |
| गुणैः guṇaiḥ | by the guṇas |
| यः yaḥ | who |
| न na | not |
| विचाल्यते vicālyate | is disturbed |
| गुणाः guṇāḥ | the guṇas |
| वर्तन्ते vartante | are acting |
| इति iti | thus |
| एवम् evam | so |
| यः yaḥ | who |
| अवतिष्ठति avatiṣṭhati | remains firm |
| न na | not |
| इङ्गते iṅgate | wavers |
Word-wise Chanting
- u–dā–sī–na–va–dā–sī–no 8 syllables u-daa-see-na-va-daa-see-no
- gu–ṇair–yo na vi–cāl–ya–te | 8 syllables gu-nair-yo na vi-chaal-ya-te
- gu–ṇā var–tan–ta it–ye–vaṃ 8 syllables gu-naa var-tan-ta it-ye-vam
- yo–‘va–tiṣ–ṭha–ti neṅ–ga–te || 14-23 8 syllables yo-‘va-tish-tha-ti nen-ga-te
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 23
Context
Krishna continues the description (14.22–14.25).
Meaning
Such a person is udāsīnavat, like someone sitting apart, watching. They are not shaken by the guṇas because they understand guṇā vartante, “it is only the qualities moving.” They stand firm and na iṅgate, do not waver.
This understanding gives immense stability. When we see that our changing states are nature’s play, they lose their power to shake us.
In Practice
When something upsets you today, say inwardly, “The gunas are acting,” and remain steady.
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.