In Bhagavad Gita 14.6, Krishna says that sattva, being pure, is illuminating and free from affliction, but it binds through attachment to happiness and to knowledge.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
तत्र सत्त्वं निर्मलत्वात्
प्रकाशकमनामयम्
सुखसङ्गेन बध्नाति
ज्ञानसङ्गेन चानघ ॥ १४-६ ॥
tatra sattvaṃ nirmalatvāt
prakāśakamanāmayam
sukhasaṅgena badhnāti
jñānasaṅgena cānagha
English transliteration tatra sattvam nirmalatvaat
prakaashakamanaamayam
sukhasangena badhnaati
jnaanasangena chaanagha ॥ 14.6 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Of these, sattva, being pure, is illuminating and free from affliction. It binds, O sinless one, by attachment to happiness and attachment to knowledge.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| तत्र tatra | of these |
| सत्त्वम् sattvam | sattva |
| निर्मलत्वात् nirmalatvāt | being pure |
| प्रकाशकम् prakāśakam | illuminating |
| अनामयम् anāmayam | free from affliction |
| सुखसङ्गेन sukhasaṅgena | by attachment to happiness sukha (happiness) + saṅgena (attachment) |
| बध्नाति badhnāti | binds |
| ज्ञानसङ्गेन jñānasaṅgena | by attachment to knowledge jñāna (knowledge) + saṅgena (attachment) |
| च ca | and |
| अनघ anagha | O sinless one |
Word-wise Chanting
- tat–ra sat–tvaṃ nir–ma–lat–vāt– 8 syllables tat-ra sat-tvam nir-ma-lat-vaat-
- pra–kā–śa–ka–ma–nā–ma–yam | 8 syllables pra-kaa-sha-ka-ma-naa-ma-yam
- su–kha–saṅ–ge–na badh–nā–ti 8 syllables su-kha-san-ge-na badh-naa-ti
- jñā–na–saṅ–ge–na cā–na–gha || 14-6 8 syllables jnaa-na-san-ge-na chaa-na-gha
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 6
Context
Krishna describes how each guna binds (14.6–14.8).
Meaning
Sattva is nirmala, pure; prakāśaka, it brings light and understanding; anāmaya, it is healthy and untroubled. Yet it binds through sukha-saṅga, attachment to the happiness it brings, and jñāna-saṅga, attachment to being a knower.
Even spiritual joy and wisdom can become subtle attachments. The pride of being good or wise is a refined bondage.
In Practice
Enjoy a moment of peace today without clinging to it or taking pride in it.
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.