Verse 14.17 : Gunatraya Vibhaga Yoga "Three Modes of Nature"
Verse 17 of 27
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The Translation
“From goodness (Sattva) arises knowledge; from passion (Rajas) arises greed; and from ignorance (Tamas) arise negligence, delusion, and ignorance.”
Commentary & Insights
Krishna lists the specific psychological states and traits that arise from each of the three modes, defining their respective mental offspring.
Practical Application
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If you feel greedy or restless (*lobhaḥ*) today, recognize it as a symptom of Rajas, and shift your mind to Sattva through quiet meditation.
Reflections & Notes
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Self-Reflection Prompts
- In your daily life, when do you notice greed taking over? Can you trace it back to a dominant state of Rajas?
- How can you consciously cultivate Sattva to foster greater clarity and knowledge?
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14.17
सत्त्वात्सञ्जायते ज्ञानं रजसो लोभ एव च
Shankara notes that Sattva purifies the mind, making it transparent so that the light of the Self can shine through as knowledge. Rajas distracts the mind with outgoing desires, producing greed. Tamas covers the discriminating faculty, leading to heedlessness and confusion.