In Bhagavad Gita 14.26, Krishna says that one who serves him with unwavering devotion goes beyond the gunas and becomes fit to become Brahman.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
मां च योऽव्यभिचारेण
भक्तियोगेन सेवते
स गुणान्समतीत्यैतान्
ब्रह्मभूयाय कल्पते ॥ १४-२६ ॥
māṃ ca yo’vyabhicāreṇa
bhaktiyogena sevate
sa guṇānsamatītyaitān
brahmabhūyāya kalpate
English transliteration maam cha yo’vyabhichaarena
bhaktiyogena sevate
sa gunaansamateetyaitaan
brahmabhooyaaya kalpate ॥ 14.26 ॥
Translation / Meaning
And one who serves Me with the yoga of unwavering devotion, going beyond these gunas, becomes fit for oneness with Brahman.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| माम् mām | Me |
| च ca | and |
| यः yaḥ | who |
| अव्यभिचारेण avyabhicāreṇa | unwavering |
| भक्तियोगेन bhaktiyogena | with the yoga of devotion bhakti (devotion) + yogena (yoga) |
| सेवते sevate | serves |
| सः saḥ | he |
| गुणान् guṇān | the guṇas |
| समतीत्य samatītya | going beyond |
| एतान् etān | these |
| ब्रह्मभूयाय brahmabhūyāya | for oneness with Brahman brahma (Brahman) + bhūyāya (becoming) |
| कल्पते kalpate | becomes fit |
Word-wise Chanting
- māṃ ca yo–‘vya–bhi–cā–re–ṇa 8 syllables maam cha yo-‘vya-bhi-chaa-re-na
- bhak–ti–yo–ge–na se–va–te | 8 syllables bhak-ti-yo-ge-na se-va-te
- sa gu–ṇān–sa–ma–tīt–yai–tān– 8 syllables sa gu-naan-sa-ma-teet-yai-taan-
- brah–ma–bhū–yā–ya kal–pa–te || 14-26 8 syllables brah-ma-bhoo-yaa-ya kal-pa-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 26
Context
Krishna answers Arjuna’s question “how does one go beyond?” (14.26–14.27).
Meaning
The method is avyabhicāriṇī bhakti, devotion that never wavers. Through it, one samatītya, goes completely beyond the guṇas, and becomes fit for brahma-bhūya, union with Brahman. Devotion is the practical key to transcendence.
Rather than fighting the guṇas directly, which is difficult, one rises above them by turning wholeheartedly to the Divine.
In Practice
When your mood is low or restless today, turn your attention to the Divine with love rather than fighting the mood.
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.