Chapter 14, Verse 19
Gunatraya Vibhaga Yoga — Sanskrit shloka, transliteration, word meanings, English translation, and commentary.
Original Sanskrit verse
Transliteration
Word meanings
na—no; anyam—other; guṇebhyaḥ—of the guṇas; kartāram—agents of action; yadā—when; draṣhṭā—the seer; anupaśhyati—see; guṇebhyaḥ—to the modes of nature; cha—and; param—transcendental; vetti—know; mat-bhāvam—my divine nature; saḥ—they; adhigachchhati—attain
English translation
When the seer beholds no agent other than the Gunas and knows that which is higher than them, he attains to My Being.
— Swami Sivananda
Listen to Shloka 14.19
Commentary
The Supreme Self is in no way contaminated by the qualities. The liberated sage exclaims I am the witness of the qualities. I am neither the enjoyer nor the doer. The qualities form the motive power of all actions. I am beyond the Gunas. The Gunas alone are responsible for all actions. I am entirely distinct from the qualities. I am pure consciousness. I cannot be touched by the qualities. I am like the ether. When a man gets illumination or attains knowledge of the Self; when he realises that there is no agent except the Gunas which are themselves modified as the bodies; the senses and their objects; when he knows that it is the Gunas only that become the agent in all transformations; in all states and in all actions; and when he realises the Supreme Self Who is distinct from the Gunas; Who is the silent witness of the Gunas and their functions; he attains to My state (liberation); i.e.; becomes identical with Me. He becomes a Gunatita; i.e.; one who has transcended the three Gunas.
Commentary by Swami Sivananda
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