Bhagavad Gita 14.22 — Equanimity Toward Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas
श्रीभगवानुवाच ।
प्रकाशं च प्रवृत्तिं च मोहमेव च पाण्डव ।
न द्वेष्टि सम्प्रवृत्तानि न निवृत्तानि काङ्क्षति ॥ १४.२२ ॥
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The Supreme Lord said: O Pandava, one who neither hates illumination, activity, and delusion when they are present, nor longs for them when they are absent, is said to be transcendent.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| prakāśham | illumination, the effect of goodness |
| cha | and |
| pravṛittim | activity, the effect of passion |
| cha | and |
| moham | delusion, the effect of ignorance |
| eva | indeed |
| cha | and |
| pāṇḍava | O son of Pandu (Arjuna) |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| na | not |
| dveṣhṭi | hates, dislikes |
| sampravṛittāni | when they are present, when they arise |
| na | nor |
| nivṛittāni | when they are absent, when they cease |
| kāṅkṣhati | longs for, desires |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| prakāśham | illumination, the effect of goodness | na | not |
| cha | and | dveṣhṭi | hates, dislikes |
| pravṛittim | activity, the effect of passion | sampravṛittāni | when they are present, when they arise |
| cha | and | na | nor |
| moham | delusion, the effect of ignorance | nivṛittāni | when they are absent, when they cease |
| eva | indeed | kāṅkṣhati | longs for, desires |
| cha | and | ||
| pāṇḍava | O son of Pandu (Arjuna) | ||
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
Lord Krishna begins answering Arjuna's questions by describing the first mark of the one who has transcended the guṇas. Such a person neither hates the presence of illumination, activity, and delusion when they arise, nor longs for them when they are absent. This verse presents a mind that is free from both aversion and craving toward the movements of nature.
Essence
Neither Rejecting Nor Craving
Prakāśaṁ ca pravṛttiṁ ca moham eva ca (illumination, activity, and delusion): These three words correspond to the effects of the three guṇas. Prakāśa is the light of knowledge from sattva, pravṛtti is activity from rajas, and moha is confusion from tamas. Lord Krishna refers to them as they naturally appear in the mind and life of a person.
Na dveṣṭi sampravṛttāni (he does not hate them when they are present): The liberated person does not dislike even delusion or inertia when they appear. This is a remarkable point. We usually try to push away unpleasant mental states with irritation, as in "Why am I so dull today?" But such self-aversion only adds a new agitation. The guṇātīta simply allows each state to come, without resentment.
Na nivṛttāni kāṅkṣati (nor does he long for them when they are absent): Equally, he does not crave the pleasant states once they are gone. Even the bliss of sattva, the clarity of insight, or the energy of rajas is not clung to. When they go, he lets them go.
This describes a mind that is no longer controlled by like and dislike. It is not suppressed or numb; it is free. The person experiences the same ups and downs of nature as anyone else, but is not enslaved by them. Aversion and craving, the two hands by which the ego grasps experience, have been released.
Lord Krishna addresses Arjuna as Pāṇḍava, reminding him of his own family and heritage, as though to say that this freedom is within reach of anyone willing to practise.
Message for Everyday Life (Letting Moods Come and Go)
Stop fighting your inner weather: We often add suffering by resisting our moods, criticising ourselves for feeling low or dull, or clinging to happy states and fearing their loss.
Practical approach: The next time an unwelcome mood arises, simply say, "This is here now," without argument. When a pleasant state passes, thank it and let it go. With practice, you will find that moods lose their power to rule you.
Neither Rejecting Nor Craving
Prakāśaṁ ca pravṛttiṁ ca moham eva ca (illumination, activity, and delusion): These three words correspond to the effects of the three guṇas. Prakāśa is the light of knowledge from sattva, pravṛtti is activity from rajas, and moha is confusion from tamas. Lord Krishna refers to them as they naturally appear in the mind and life of a person.
Na dveṣṭi sampravṛttāni (he does not hate them when they are present): The liberated person does not dislike even delusion or inertia when they appear. This is a remarkable point. We usually try to push away unpleasant mental states with irritation, as in "Why am I so dull today?" But such self-aversion only adds a new agitation. The guṇātīta simply allows each state to come, without resentment.
Na nivṛttāni kāṅkṣati (nor does he long for them when they are absent): Equally, he does not crave the pleasant states once they are gone. Even the bliss of sattva, the clarity of insight, or the energy of rajas is not clung to. When they go, he lets them go.
This describes a mind that is no longer controlled by like and dislike. It is not suppressed or numb; it is free. The person experiences the same ups and downs of nature as anyone else, but is not enslaved by them. Aversion and craving, the two hands by which the ego grasps experience, have been released.
Lord Krishna addresses Arjuna as Pāṇḍava, reminding him of his own family and heritage, as though to say that this freedom is within reach of anyone willing to practise.
Message for Everyday Life (Letting Moods Come and Go)
Stop fighting your inner weather: We often add suffering by resisting our moods, criticising ourselves for feeling low or dull, or clinging to happy states and fearing their loss.
Practical approach: The next time an unwelcome mood arises, simply say, "This is here now," without argument. When a pleasant state passes, thank it and let it go. With practice, you will find that moods lose their power to rule you.
Next Topic
Lord Krishna has described the guṇātīta as one who neither resents the guṇas' effects when present nor craves them when absent. He now describes the same person's posture of inner stillness. In the next verse, he shows how such a person sits like a neutral witness, unshaken by the guṇas as they operate.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
Peace grows when we stop arguing with our moods.
Neither push away nor cling; just watch.
A steady mind is not at war with its changes.
Wanting a mood back is as binding as resisting a mood.
Disliking a state gives it more power.
The calm one watches the weather without becoming the storm.
Freedom is not controlling states but not being controlled by them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are 'prakāśha' (illumination), 'pravṛitti' (activity), and 'moha' (delusion) in this verse?
What does 'na dveṣhṭi' (does not hate) mean?
What does 'na kāṅkṣhati' (does not long for) mean?
Does the 'guṇātīta' (one who has transcended the guṇas) become dull and unfeeling?
How can one practice this in daily life?
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