In Bhagavad Gita 3.28, Krishna says the knower of truth, understanding the distinction of the qualities and their actions, knows that qualities move among qualities, and does not become attached.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
तत्त्ववित्तु महाबाहो
गुणकर्मविभागयोः
गुणा गुणेषु वर्तन्त
इति मत्वा न सज्जते ॥ ३-२८ ॥
tattvavittu mahābāho
guṇakarmavibhāgayoḥ
guṇā guṇeṣu vartanta
iti matvā na sajjate
English transliteration tattvavittu mahaabaaho
gunakarmavibhaagayoh
gunaa guneshu vartanta
iti matvaa na sajjate ॥ 3.28 ॥
Translation / Meaning
But the knower of the truth, O mighty-armed, understanding the distinction between the qualities and their functions, knows that it is the qualities that act upon the qualities, and so does not become attached.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| तत्त्ववित् tattvavit | the knower of truth tattva (truth) + vit (knower) |
| तु tu | but |
| महाबाहो mahābāho | O mighty-armed |
| गुणकर्मविभागयोः guṇakarmavibhāgayoḥ | of the distinctions of qualities and actions guṇa (qualities) + karma (actions) + vibhāgayoḥ (distinctions) |
| गुणाः guṇāḥ | qualities |
| गुणेषु guṇeṣu | among qualities |
| वर्तन्ते vartante | act |
| इति iti | thus |
| मत्वा matvā | knowing |
| न na | not |
| सज्जते sajjate | becomes attached |
Word-wise Chanting
- tat–tva–vit–tu ma–hā–bā–ho 8 syllables tat-tva-vit-tu ma-haa-baa-ho
- gu–ṇa–kar–ma–vi–bhā–ga–yoḥ | 8 syllables gu-na-kar-ma-vi-bhaa-ga-yoh
- gu–ṇā gu–ṇe–ṣu var–tan–ta 8 syllables gu-naa gu-ne-shu var-tan-ta
- i–ti mat–vā na saj–ja–te || 3-28 8 syllables i-ti mat-vaa na saj-ja-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 3 Verse 28
Context
In contrast to the deluded person (3.27), Krishna describes the knower of truth.
Meaning
The wise see that the senses, which are products of the guṇas, engage with sense objects, also products of the guṇas. It is nature interacting with nature. The Self is not involved as a doer. Understanding this, the wise remain unattached in the midst of activity.
This vision is liberating. Thoughts, reactions and moods are seen as movements of nature, not as the essence of who we are. We can observe them, guide them and act through them, while remaining free inside, like the sky through which clouds pass.
In Practice
When a strong reaction arises today, observe it as “qualities moving among qualities.” See whether it loses some of its hold on you.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 3: Karma Yoga (The Yoga of Action). 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.