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Chapter 14 · The Three Modes of Material Nature · 27 verses

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How to study this verse, in six steps

1Remember who is speaking. Kṛṣṇa is speaking. Take the verse as He directs.
2Say the verse and its words. Read the Sanskrit, then each word with its meaning.
3Read the translation as it is. Let the translation say what it says, without adding your own meaning.
4Read the purport. Hear the verse through the disciplic succession.
5Bring your own question. Ask: where does this verse meet my life, my trouble, my doubt?
6Act on it, remembering Kṛṣṇa. Carry one instruction into your work today.

Read the full guide: how to read the Bhagavad-gītā ›

Krishna’s natureChapter 14 · The Three Modes of Material Nature

13.35 14.2

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 14.1

The Supreme as origin and seed-giving father

Īśvara · God

श्रीभगवानुवाच

परं भूय: प्रवक्ष्यामि ज्ञानानां ज्ञानमुत्तमम् । ‍‍ ॥

यज्ज्ञात्वा मुनय: सर्वे परां सिद्धिमितो गता: ॥ १ ॥

śrī-bhagavān uvāca

paraṁ bhūyaḥ pravakṣyāmi

jñānānāṁ jñānam uttamam

yaj jñātvā munayaḥ sarve

parāṁ siddhim ito gatāḥ

Translation

The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: Again I shall declare to you this supreme wisdom, the best of all knowledge, knowing which all the sages have attained the supreme perfection.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io

Understand it

What this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.

3 study points

Supreme Wisdom and Perfection

1
The Supreme Lord again declares the highest knowledge, through which all the sages attained supreme perfection.
2
Prabhupāda explains that this chapter teaches how nature’s modes bind and liberate us. Understanding it leads to an understanding of devotional service.
3
Seek to understand this knowledge, which has brought great sages to perfection in the spiritual world.