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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
  1. 1Remember who is speaking. Kṛṣṇa is speaking. Take the verse as He directs.
  2. 2Say the verse and its words. Read the Sanskrit, then each word with its meaning.
  3. 3Read the translation as it is. Let the translation say what it says, without adding your own meaning.
  4. 4Read the purport. Hear the verse through the disciplic succession.
  5. 5Bring your own question. Ask: where does this verse meet my life, my trouble, my doubt?
  6. 6Act on it, remembering Kṛṣṇa. Carry one instruction into your work today.
Read the full guide: how to read the Bhagavad-gītā ›
Nature & guṇasChapter 14 · The Three Modes of Material Nature
14.1114.13

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 14.12

How goodness, passion and ignorance bind

Prakṛti · Material nature

लोभ: प्रवृत्तिरारम्भ: कर्मणामशम: स्पृहा ।

रजस्येतानि जायन्ते विवृद्धे भरतर्षभ ॥ १२ ॥

lobhaḥ pravṛttir ārambhaḥ

karmaṇām aśamaḥ spṛhā

rajasy etāni jāyante

vivṛddhe bharatarṣabha

Translation

O chief of the Bhāratas, when there is an increase in the mode of passion the symptoms of great attachment, fruitive activity, intense endeavor, and uncontrollable desire and hankering develop.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

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

3 study points

Signs of Passion

  1. 1

    As passion increases, strong attachment, work for results, intense effort, and uncontrollable desires develop.

  2. 2

    Prabhupāda explains that a person in passion is never satisfied and keeps seeking a better position and more sense pleasure.

  3. 3

    Recognize constant dissatisfaction and endless desire for sense pleasure as signs of passion.

Key points from the purport

These notes cover verses 14.11–13

Symptoms of three modes — These verses explain how the effects of the three modes of material nature, as explained in Texts 14.6 – 14.8, are manifested externally

Certain concepts are defined below:

a

“All gates illuminated by knowledge” (14.11) — Implies

Perception by the senses based on knowledge, in the right position

Clean inside and out

b

Darkness and inertia implies (14.13)

Not works according to regulative principles

Works whimsically for no purpose

c

Illusion — Even though he has the capacity to work, he does not endeavor (14.13)

Further reading

Recognizing A Mode’s Supremacy

Modes compete with one another for supremacy within an individual

Manifestation from the mode of

Goodness: is knowledge

Passion: is attachment, uncontrollable desire and intense endeavor

Ignorance: is inactivity and madness

Chapter 14, section III: Recognizing A Mode’s Supremacy
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. lobhaḥgreed
  2. pravṛttiḥactivity
  3. ārambhaḥendeavor
  4. karmaṇāmin activities
  5. aśamaḥuncontrollable
  6. spṛhādesire
  7. rajasiof the mode of passion
  8. etāniall these
3

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: prakṛti, guṇa.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 14.12 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to nature & guṇas?

Practice

Observe which mode shaped your last decision.

5

The story behind it

Mahābhārata episodes and stories from the purports that shed light on this verse.

All stories for chapter 14 ›
6

Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 14.5How goodness, passion and ignorance bindBG 14.6How goodness, passion and ignorance bindBG 7.14Crossing beyond māyā
Live this todayGoodness Can Still BindA practice from BG 14.6, close to this verse

Study notes are editorial summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport.

  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 4 of 9 · 10 minChapters & storiesGo chapter by chapter, with the Mahābhārata stories that explain what is happening.Back · LearnPrabhupāda's Introduction