Step 4 of 7 · 5 min

Study a Verse

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

  1. 1Tap a chapter, then a verse
  2. 2Read what it means
  3. 3Try the practice
700 verses37 detailed
Or browse by chapter
Chapter

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

123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627

Deep profile← → keys move between verses

Nature & guṇasChapter 14 · The Three Modes of Material Nature
14.2014.22

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 14.21

Seeing and transcending the guṇas

अर्जुन उवाच

कैर्लिङ्गैस्त्रीन्गुणानेतानतीतो भवति प्रभो ।

किमाचार: कथं चैतांस्त्रीन्गुणानतिवर्तते ॥ २१ ॥

arjuna uvāca

kair liṅgais trīn guṇān etān

atīto bhavati prabho

kim-ācāraḥ kathaṁ caitāṁs

trīn guṇān ativartate

Translation

Arjuna inquired: O my dear Lord, by which symptoms is one known who is transcendental to these three modes? What is his behavior? And how does he transcend the modes of nature?

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

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

Questions About Transcending the Modes

  1. 1Arjuna asks how to recognize someone beyond the three modes, how that person behaves, and how to transcend the modes.
  2. 2Prabhupāda explains that knowing the direct means to remain beyond the modes is essential; without this, one cannot show the symptoms.
  3. 3Seek to understand the means of rising beyond the modes, not just the outward signs.

Where we are

In the story

Chapter 14, The Three Modes of Material Nature: seeing and transcending the guṇas.

What it teaches

Theme summary

The modes of nature condition behavior.

2

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: prakṛti, guṇa.

3

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 14.21 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to nature & guṇas?

Practice

Observe which mode shaped your last decision.

4

Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 14.19Seeing and transcending the guṇasBG 14.20Seeing and transcending the guṇasBG 7.14Crossing beyond māyā

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

Ask the study guide

Ask about BG 14.21 — get a simple answer linked to related ideas and verses.

Back to step 3The key ideasNext · Step 5 of 7 · 5 minLive the teachingsBring it into your day with a practice and a question, straight from Prabhupāda's purports.