In Bhagavad Gita 18.29, Krishna asks Arjuna to hear the threefold division of intellect and of steadiness according to the gunas, explained fully and separately.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
बुद्धेर्भेदं धृतेश्चैव
गुणतस्त्रिविधं शृणु
प्रोच्यमानमशेषेण
पृथक्त्वेन धनञ्जय ॥ १८-२९ ॥
buddherbhedaṃ dhṛteścaiva
guṇatastrividhaṃ śṛṇu
procyamānamaśeṣeṇa
pṛthaktvena dhanañjaya
English transliteration buddherbhedam dhriteshchaiva
gunatastrividham shrinu
prochyamaanamasheshena
prithaktvena dhananjaya ॥ 18.29 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Hear now, O Dhananjaya, the threefold division of the intellect and of steadiness according to the gunas, as I explain it fully and separately.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| बुद्धेः buddheḥ | of the intellect |
| भेदम् bhedam | division |
| धृतेः dhṛteḥ | of steadiness |
| च ca | and |
| एव eva | also |
| गुणतः guṇataḥ | according to the guṇas |
| त्रिविधम् trividham | threefold |
| शृणु śṛṇu | hear |
| प्रोच्यमानम् procyamānam | as explained |
| अशेषेण aśeṣeṇa | fully |
| पृथक्त्वेन pṛthaktvena | separately |
| धनञ्जय dhanañjaya | O Dhanañjaya |
Word-wise Chanting
- bud–dher–bhe–daṃ dhṛ–teś–cai–va 8 syllables bud-dher-bhe-dam dhri-tesh-chai-va
- gu–ṇa–tas–tri–vi–dhaṃ śṛ–ṇu | 8 syllables gu-na-tas-tri-vi-dham shri-nu
- proc–ya–mā–na–ma–śe–ṣe–ṇa 8 syllables proch-ya-maa-na-ma-she-she-na
- pṛ–thak–tve–na dha–nañ–ja–ya || 18-29 8 syllables pri-thak-tve-na dha-nan-ja-ya
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 29
Context
Krishna introduces the threefold intellect and steadiness (18.29–18.35).
Meaning
After knowledge, action and agent, Krishna turns to buddhi, the discerning intellect, and dhṛti, the power of steady resolve. Each takes three forms according to the guṇas.
Intellect decides; steadiness holds to the decision. Both must be purified for spiritual progress.
In Practice
Reflect on how clearly you discern right from wrong, and how firmly you stay with your decisions.
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.