In Bhagavad Gita 7.12, Krishna says that all states of being, whether sattvic, rajasic or tamasic, come from him; yet he is not in them, but they are in him.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
ये चैव सात्त्विका भावा
राजसास्तामसाश्च ये
मत्त एवेति तान्विद्धि
न त्वहं तेषु ते मयि ॥ ७-१२ ॥
ye caiva sāttvikā bhāvā
rājasāstāmasāśca ye
matta eveti tānviddhi
na tvahaṃ teṣu te mayi
English transliteration ye chaiva saattvikaa bhaavaa
raajasaastaamasaashcha ye
matta eveti taanviddhi
na tvaham teshu te mayi ॥ 7.12 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Whatever states of being there are, whether of goodness, passion or inertia, know that they proceed from Me alone. Yet I am not in them; they are in Me.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ये ye | whatever |
| च ca | and |
| एव eva | indeed |
| सात्त्विकाः sāttvikāḥ | of sattva, goodness |
| भावाः bhāvāḥ | states |
| राजसाः rājasāḥ | of rajas, passion |
| तामसाः tāmasāḥ | of tamas, inertia |
| च ca | and |
| ये ye | which |
| मत्तः mattaḥ | from Me |
| एव eva | alone |
| इति iti | thus |
| तान् tān | them |
| विद्धि viddhi | know |
| न na | not |
| तु tu | but |
| अहम् aham | I |
| तेषु teṣu | in them |
| ते te | they |
| मयि mayi | in Me |
Word-wise Chanting
- ye cai–va sāt–tvi–kā bhā–vā 8 syllables ye chai-va saat-tvi-kaa bhaa-vaa
- rā–ja–sās–tā–ma–sāś–ca ye | 8 syllables raa-ja-saas-taa-ma-saash-cha ye
- mat–ta e–ve–ti tān–vid–dhi 8 syllables mat-ta e-ve-ti taan-vid-dhi
- na tva–haṃ te–ṣu te ma–yi || 7-12 8 syllables na tva-ham te-shu te ma-yi
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 7 Verse 12
Context
Krishna explains his relationship with the three guṇas (7.12–7.14).
Meaning
All the qualities of nature, sattva, rajas and tamas, and all the states they produce, come from the Divine. Yet there is a subtle point: the Divine is not contained in them; they exist in the Divine. Like a dream in the mind of the dreamer, the guṇas depend on the Divine, but the Divine does not depend on them.
This verse explains how the Divine can be the source of everything without being limited by anything. Our moods and qualities arise and pass within a vaster consciousness that remains untouched. Recognising this frees us from identification with passing states.
In Practice
Notice your mood today: calm, restless or dull. Remind yourself that it arises within a larger awareness that is not limited by it.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 7: Jnana Vijnana Yoga (Knowledge and Realisation). 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.