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Chapter 18 · The Perfection of Renunciation · 78 verses

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Nature & guṇasChapter 18 · The Perfection of Renunciation
18.3918.41

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 18.40

Knowledge, action, determination and happiness in the modes

न तदस्ति पृथिव्यां वा दिवि देवेषु वा पुन: ।

सत्त्वं प्रकृतिजैर्मुक्तं यदेभि: स्यात्‍त्रिभिर्गुणै: ॥ ४० ॥

na tad asti pṛthivyāṁ vā

divi deveṣu vā punaḥ

sattvaṁ prakṛti-jair muktaṁ

yad ebhiḥ syāt tribhir guṇaiḥ

Translation

There is no being existing, either here or among the demigods in the higher planetary systems, which is freed from these three modes born of material nature.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

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

The Three Modes Affect All

  1. 1No being here or among the demigods in the higher planets is free from the three modes of material nature.
  2. 2Prabhupāda explains that the Lord summarizes the modes’ total influence throughout the universe.
  3. 3Remember that even the demigods are subject to these three modes.

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 18.40 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 18.19Knowledge, action, determination and happiness in the modesBG 18.20Knowledge, 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.

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Ask about BG 18.40 — 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.