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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 ›

Nature & guṇasChapter 14 · The Three Modes of Material Nature

14.19 14.21

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 14.20

Seeing and transcending the guṇas

Jīva · The soul

गुणानेतानतीत्य त्रीन्देही देहसमुद्भ‍वान् ।

जन्ममृत्युजरादु:खैर्विमुक्तोऽमृतमश्न‍ुते ॥ २० ॥

guṇān etān atītya trīn

dehī deha-samudbhavān

janma-mṛtyu-jarā-duḥkhair

vimukto ’mṛtam aśnute

Translation

When the embodied being is able to transcend these three modes associated with the material body, he can become free from birth, death, old age and their distresses and can enjoy nectar even in this life.

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

Spiritual Happiness Even Now

1
By rising above the three modes, one can become free from birth, death, old age, and their distress, and enjoy spiritual happiness even now.
2
Prabhupāda explains that spiritual knowledge frees one from the modes. Devotional service in Kṛṣṇa consciousness is the sign of liberation.
3
Grow in spiritual knowledge and devotional service in Kṛṣṇa consciousness to experience spiritual happiness even in this body.

Key points from the purport

Result of realizing this knowledge i.e. the result of transcending the modes

One becomes liberated (freedom from distress)

Devotional service in Krishna consciousness is a sign of liberation from material entanglement (Ref BG Chapter 18)

One can relish nectar even in this life (Enjoys life on spiritual platform)

Text 14.20 explains how to relish transcendental position even in this body

“Dehi” – Indicates that even within the material body, by advancement in spiritual knowledge, one can be free from the modes of material nature

One can enjoy happiness of spiritual life even in this body

Till one goes to spiritual sky, where there is full happiness available

Please note:

Points of Purport 14.20 have already been included in the subpoints under the Theme above, therefore there is no Focus of learning section for this verse