Verse 14.18 : Gunatraya Vibhaga Yoga "Three Modes of Nature"
Verse 18 of 27
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The Translation
“Those who are established in goodness rise upward; those in passion remain in the middle; and those in ignorance, clinging to the lowest qualities, sink downward.”
Commentary & Insights
Krishna describes the existential trajectories of individuals based on their dominant mode, showing how their dominant state shapes their path.
Practical Application
1
Actively choose the upward trajectory today: replace one sluggish habit (Tamas) with a clear, positive effort (Sattva).
Reflections & Notes
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Self-Reflection Prompts
- What does 'rising upward' mean to you in terms of your state of mind and consciousness?
- How do passive habits like excess sleep or procrastination represent 'sinking downward' in your life?
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14.18
ऊर्ध्वं गच्छन्ति सत्त्वस्था मध्ये तिष्ठन्ति राजसाः
Shankara clarifies that upward movement refers to birth in higher worlds of devas or purified human families. Middle refers to birth in ordinary human societies driven by worldly ambitions. Downward refers to birth in animal species, plants, or hellish states of existence.