Chapter 14, Verse 21
Gunatraya Vibhaga Yoga — Sanskrit shloka, transliteration, word meanings, English translation, and commentary.
Original Sanskrit verse
Transliteration
Word meanings
arjunaḥ uvācha—Arjun inquired; kaiḥ—by what; liṅgaiḥ—symptoms; trīn—three; guṇān—modes of material nature; etān—these; atītaḥ—having transcended; bhavati—is; prabho—Lord; kim—what; āchāraḥ—conduct; katham—how; cha—and; etān—these; trīn—three; guṇān—modes of material nature; ativartate—transcend
English translation
Arjuna said, "What are the marks of one who has transcended the three qualities, O Lord? What is their conduct, and how do they go beyond these three qualities?"
— Swami Sivananda
Listen to Shloka 14.21
Commentary
Arjuna said O Lord; by what characteristics may a man be recognised as having gone beyond the three qualities What is the behaviour of that Trigunatita sage (one who has gone beyond the three qualities) and how does he go beyond the world and is above the Gunas Tell me that. These are the characteristics of the sage who has gone beyond the Gunas others should cultivate them. Just as a king is able to remove the grievances and sorrows of his servants; so also the Lord is able to remove the sorrows of His devotees. That is the reason why Arjuna addresses Sri Krishna as Lord and uses the term Prabhu. By using this word; Arjuna hinted to the Lord that He alone was capable of relieving his sorrows and pains. (Cf. II.54)
Commentary by Swami Sivananda
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