1 · Learn3 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Pick any verse to see what it means and how to use it in your life.

Or browse by chapter
Chapter

Chapter 18 · The Perfection of Renunciation · 78 verses

123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343536373839404142434445464748495051525354555657585960616263646566676869707172737475767778

Deep profile← → keys move between verses

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 18 · The Perfection of Renunciation
18.3518.37

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 18.36

Knowledge, action, determination and happiness in the modes

Prakṛti · Material nature

सुखं त्विदानीं त्रिविधं श‍ृणु मे भरतर्षभ ।

अभ्यासाद्रमते यत्र दु:खान्तं च निगच्छति ॥ ३६ ॥

sukhaṁ tv idānīṁ tri-vidhaṁ

śṛṇu me bharatarṣabha

abhyāsād ramate yatra

duḥkhāntaṁ ca nigacchati

Translation

O best of the Bhāratas, now please hear from Me about the three kinds of happiness by which the conditioned soul enjoys, and by which he sometimes comes to the end of all distress.

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

Three Kinds of Happiness

  1. 1

    The verse introduces three kinds of happiness through which the conditioned soul enjoys and sometimes ends all distress.

  2. 2

    Prabhupāda explains that material enjoyment repeats the same pleasures. Association with a great soul can awaken real Kṛṣṇa consciousness and bring relief from material entanglement.

  3. 3

    Seek good association to recognize repeated material pleasures for what they are and awaken Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

Key points from the purport

Happiness in three modes is described in the next 3 verses

Conditioned soul is trying to enjoy material happiness again and again

Analogy: Chewing the chewed

How to get relief from such entanglement (repetitive so-called happiness)

Only by association of great souls

When awakened to real Krishna consciousness

Further reading

The Modes Control All Activities

One’s work according to the five factors mentioned above is dictated by the three modes of material nature

This includes:

One’s knowledge (19-22) o One’s action (23-26)

One’s performance of action (27-28) o One’s understandings (29-32)

One’s determination(33-35) o One’s happiness (36-39)

All activities within the universe are thus controlled by the three modes SAKAMA TO NISKAMA KARMA YOGA

Chapter 18, section III: The Modes Control All Activities
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. sukhamhappiness
  2. tubut
  3. idānīmnow
  4. tri-vidhamof three kinds
  5. śṛṇuhear
  6. mefrom Me
  7. bharata-ṛṣabhaO best amongst the Bhāratas
  8. abhyāsātby practice
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 18.36 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

Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 18.19Knowledge, action, determination and happiness in the modesBG 18.20Knowledge, action, determination and happiness in the modesBG 7.14Crossing beyond māyā
Live this todayWorship Kṛṣṇa Through Your WorkA practice from BG 18.46, 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