In Bhagavad Gita 18.19, Krishna says knowledge, action and the agent are each said to be of three kinds according to the gunas in Sankhya; he asks Arjuna to hear about them.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
ज्ञानं कर्म च कर्ता च
त्रिधैव गुणभेदतः
प्रोच्यते गुणसङ्ख्याने
यथावच्छृणु तान्यपि ॥ १८-१९ ॥
jñānaṃ karma ca kartā ca
tridhaiva guṇabhedataḥ
procyate guṇasaṅkhyāne
yathāvacchṛṇu tānyapi
English transliteration jnaanam karma cha kartaa cha
tridhaiva gunabhedatah
prochyate gunasankhyaane
yathaavachchhrinu taanyapi ॥ 18.19 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Knowledge, action and the agent are declared in the science of the gunas to be of three kinds each, according to the distinctions of the gunas. Hear about them as they are.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ज्ञानम् jñānam | knowledge |
| कर्म karma | action |
| च ca | and |
| कर्ता kartā | the agent |
| च ca | and |
| त्रिधा tridhā | of three kinds |
| एव eva | each |
| गुणभेदतः guṇabhedataḥ | according to the distinctions of the guṇas guṇa (guṇas) + bhedataḥ (distinctions) |
| प्रोच्यते procyate | is declared |
| गुणसङ्ख्याने guṇasaṅkhyāne | in the science of the guṇas guṇa (guṇas) + saṅkhyāne (science) |
| यथावत् yathāvat | as they are |
| शृणु śṛṇu | hear |
| तानि tāni | them |
| अपि api | also |
Word-wise Chanting
- jñā–naṃ kar–ma ca kar–tā ca 8 syllables jnaa-nam kar-ma cha kar-taa cha
- tri–dhai–va gu–ṇa–bhe–da–taḥ | 8 syllables tri-dhai-va gu-na-bhe-da-tah
- proc–ya–te gu–ṇa–saṅ–khyā–ne 8 syllables proch-ya-te gu-na-san-khyaa-ne
- ya–thā–vac–chṛ–ṇu tān–ya–pi || 18-19 8 syllables ya-thaa-vach-chhri-nu taan-ya-pi
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 18 Verse 19
Context
Krishna introduces the threefold analysis (18.18–18.28).
Meaning
Just as faith, food, worship and gifts were analysed in Chapter 17, now knowledge, action and the agent will each be shown in their sattvic, rajasic and tamasic forms.
This analysis is a practical mirror for self-examination in every area of life.
In Practice
As you read the coming verses, honestly assess the quality of your knowledge, action and character.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 18: Moksha Sannyasa Yoga (Liberation and Renunciation). 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.