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Chapter 14 • Verse 22
The Yoga of the Division of the Three Gunas
MEANING & CONTEXT
Krishna begins describing the characteristics of one who has transcended: 'Prakāśaṁ ca pravṛttiṁ ca moham eva ca'—illumination (prakāśam—sattva), activity (pravṛttim—rajas), and delusion (moham—tamas). 'Na dveṣṭi sampravṛttāni'—he does not hate (na dveṣṭi) them when they are present (sampravṛttāni). 'Na nivṛttāni kāṅkṣati'—nor does he long for (kāṅkṣati) them when they disappear (nivṛttāni). This is the first sign of transcendence: equanimity toward the gunas. You don't hate any mode when it's active, and you don't long for any mode when it's absent. You're completely neutral—observing the gunas without being attached or averse to any of them. This is true freedom: not being controlled by preferences for or against any mode.
Explore Human Experiences
How this ancient wisdom applies to your daily life
Key Takeaway
Krishna reveals the first sign of transcendence: equanimity toward all three gunas. You don't hate any mode when it's active, and you don't long for any mode when it's absent. You're completely neutral—observing the gunas without being attached or averse to any of them. This is true freedom: not being controlled by preferences for or against any mode. When sattva is active, you observe it without attachment. When rajas is active, you observe it without aversion. When tamas is active, you observe it without judgment. When any mode disappears, you don't long for it. You're free from the push and pull of the gunas.
Personal Reflection
Do you hate certain modes when they're active? Do you long for certain modes when they're absent? How would developing equanimity toward all modes help you find freedom?
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