In Bhagavad Gita 14.9, Krishna says sattva attaches to happiness, rajas to action, and tamas, veiling knowledge, attaches to heedlessness.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
सत्त्वं सुखे सञ्जयति
रजः कर्मणि भारत
ज्ञानमावृत्य तु तमः
प्रमादे सञ्जयत्युत ॥ १४-९ ॥
sattvaṃ sukhe sañjayati
rajaḥ karmaṇi bhārata
jñānamāvṛtya tu tamaḥ
pramāde sañjayatyuta
English transliteration sattvam sukhe sanjayati
rajah karmani bhaarata
jnaanamaavritya tu tamah
pramaade sanjayatyuta ॥ 14.9 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Sattva attaches one to happiness, rajas to action, O descendant of Bharata, while tamas, veiling knowledge, attaches one to heedlessness.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| सत्त्वम् sattvam | sattva |
| सुखे sukhe | to happiness |
| सञ्जयति sañjayati | attaches |
| रजः rajaḥ | rajas |
| कर्मणि karmaṇi | to action |
| भारत bhārata | O descendant of Bharata |
| ज्ञानम् jñānam | knowledge |
| आवृत्य āvṛtya | veiling |
| तु tu | while |
| तमः tamaḥ | tamas |
| प्रमादे pramāde | to heedlessness |
| सञ्जयति sañjayati | attaches |
| उत uta | indeed |
Word-wise Chanting
- sat–tvaṃ su–khe sañ–ja–ya–ti 8 syllables sat-tvam su-khe san-ja-ya-ti
- ra–jaḥ kar–ma–ṇi bhā–ra–ta | 8 syllables ra-jah kar-ma-ni bhaa-ra-ta
- jñā–na–mā–vṛt–ya tu ta–maḥ 8 syllables jnaa-na-maa-vrit-ya tu ta-mah
- pra–mā–de sañ–ja–yat–yu–ta || 14-9 8 syllables pra-maa-de san-ja-yat-yu-ta
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 9
Context
Krishna summarises the binding effect of the gunas (14.5–14.9).
Meaning
Each guṇa has its own hook. Sattva attaches to sukha, contentment; rajas to karma, activity; tamas covers jñāna, understanding, and attaches to pramāda, negligence. Recognising the hook is the first step to freedom.
This simple summary is a useful mirror for daily self-observation. What am I attached to right now: comfort, activity or dullness?
In Practice
Several times today, ask yourself which hook is pulling at you: comfort, activity or dullness.
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.