In Bhagavad Gita 14.25, Krishna says that one who is the same in honour and dishonour, the same to friend and foe, and has renounced all selfish undertakings is said to have transcended the gunas.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
मानापमानयोस्तुल्यस्
तुल्यो मित्रारिपक्षयोः
सर्वारम्भपरित्यागी
गुणातीतः स उच्यते ॥ १४-२५ ॥
mānāpamānayostulyas
tulyo mitrāripakṣayoḥ
sarvārambhaparityāgī
guṇātītaḥ sa ucyate
English transliteration maanaapamaanayostulyas
tulyo mitraaripakshayoh
sarvaarambhaparityaagee
gunaateetah sa uchyate ॥ 14.25 ॥
Translation / Meaning
the same in honour and dishonour, the same toward friend and foe, having renounced all selfish undertakings: such a person is said to have gone beyond the gunas.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| मानापमानयोः mānāpamānayoḥ | in honour and dishonour māna (honour) + apamānayoḥ (dishonour) |
| तुल्यः tulyaḥ | the same |
| तुल्यः tulyaḥ | the same |
| मित्रारिपक्षयोः mitrāripakṣayoḥ | toward friend and foe mitra (friend) + ari (foe) + pakṣayoḥ (sides) |
| सर्वारम्भपरित्यागी sarvārambhaparityāgī | having renounced all selfish undertakings |
| गुणातीतः guṇātītaḥ | gone beyond the guṇas guṇa (guṇas) + atītaḥ (gone beyond) |
| सः saḥ | he |
| उच्यते ucyate | is said |
Word-wise Chanting
- mā–nā–pa–mā–na–yos–tul–yas– 8 syllables maa-naa-pa-maa-na-yos-tul-yas-
- tul–yo mit–rā–ri–pa–kṣa–yoḥ | 8 syllables tul-yo mit-raa-ri-pa-ksha-yoh
- sar–vā–ram–bha–pa–rit–yā–gī 8 syllables sar-vaa-ram-bha-pa-rit-yaa-gee
- gu–ṇā–tī–taḥ sa uc–ya–te || 14-25 8 syllables gu-naa-tee-tah sa uch-ya-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 25
Context
The description of 14.24 is completed.
Meaning
The guṇātīta, one beyond the guṇas, treats honour and insult alike, and friend and foe alike. They have given up undertakings driven by personal ambition. This completes the answer to Arjuna’s questions about signs and conduct.
These descriptions closely resemble those of the sthitaprajña in Chapter 2 and the dear devotee in Chapter 12. The perfected person is described in similar terms on every path.
In Practice
Treat someone who has criticised you today with the same courtesy as someone who has praised you.
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.