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Chapter 18 · The Perfection of Renunciation · 78 verses

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Nature & guṇasChapter 18 · The Perfection of Renunciation
18.1818.20

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 18.19

Knowledge, action, determination and happiness in the modes

ज्ञानं कर्म च कर्ता च त्रिधैव गुणभेदत: ।

प्रोच्यते गुणसंख्याने यथावच्छृणु तान्यपि ॥ १९ ॥

jñānaṁ karma ca kartā ca

tridhaiva guṇa-bhedataḥ

procyate guṇa-saṅkhyāne

yathāvac chṛṇu tāny api

Translation

According to the three different modes of material nature, there are three kinds of knowledge, action and performer of action. Now hear of them from Me.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

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

Three Modes of Material Nature

  1. 1Knowledge, action, and workers are divided into three kinds according to the modes of material nature.
  2. 2Prabhupāda explains that goodness is illuminating, passion is materialistic, and ignorance leads to laziness.
  3. 3All three modes are binding. Even goodness keeps one conditioned and is not a source of liberation.

Where we are

In the story

Chapter 18, The Perfection of Renunciation: knowledge, action, determination and happiness in the modes.

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 18.19 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 18.20Knowledge, action, determination and happiness in the modesBG 18.21Knowledge, action, determination and happiness in the modesBG 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 18.19 — 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.