Bhagavad Gita 7.12 — All States of Being Arise from the Supreme, Yet He Is Not Bound by Them
ये चैव सात्त्विका भावा राजसास्तामसाश्च ये ।
मत्त एवेति तान्विद्धि न त्वहं तेषु ते मयि ॥ ७.१२ ॥
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Whatever states of being there are, whether of goodness, passion or ignorance, know that they all proceed from Me alone. Yet I am not in them; they are in Me.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| ye | whichever |
| cha | and |
| eva | indeed |
| sāttvikāḥ | of the nature of goodness, pure and balanced |
| bhāvāḥ | states of being, natures |
| rājasāḥ | of the nature of passion, restless and active |
| tāmasāḥ | of the nature of ignorance, dull and inert |
| cha | and |
| ye | which |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| mattaḥ | from Me |
| eva | alone |
| iti | thus |
| tān | them |
| viddhi | know |
| na | not |
| tu | but |
| aham | I |
| teṣhu | in them |
| te | they |
| mayi | in Me |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| ye | whichever | mattaḥ | from Me |
| cha | and | eva | alone |
| eva | indeed | iti | thus |
| sāttvikāḥ | of the nature of goodness, pure and balanced | tān | them |
| bhāvāḥ | states of being, natures | viddhi | know |
| rājasāḥ | of the nature of passion, restless and active | na | not |
| tāmasāḥ | of the nature of ignorance, dull and inert | tu | but |
| cha | and | aham | I |
| ye | which | teṣhu | in them |
| te | they | ||
| mayi | in Me | ||
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
Lord Krishna now brings the three guṇas, sattva, rajas, and tamas, into the picture. He explains that all of these states arise from Him alone, yet He is not subject to them, whereas the beings are dependent on Him.
Essence
The Three Guṇas Arise from Him, Yet He Is Not Bound by Them
Having described the Divine presence in many excellent things, Lord Krishna now widens the scope to cover every kind of condition in the world. This includes not only what is pure and uplifting, but also what is restless and what is dull. All of it ultimately has its basis in Him.
Sāttvikā bhāvāḥ (states of sattva): These are conditions of clarity, balance, knowledge, and peace.
Rājasāḥ (states of rajas): These are conditions of passion, restlessness, ambition, and activity driven by desire.
Tāmasāḥ (states of tamas): These are conditions of inertia, ignorance, confusion, and heedlessness.
Matta eveti tān viddhi (know that they all arise from Me alone): The three guṇas are the modes of material nature, which has its source in Lord Krishna. Every mood and temperament that we experience, whether serene, agitated, or dull, is a product of this nature, and therefore not outside His order.
Na tv ahaṁ teṣu te mayi (but I am not in them; they are in Me): This is the subtle and important part. Lord Krishna is the source and support of the guṇas, yet He is not subject to them. A king is not bound by the laws of his own kingdom in the way that his subjects are, because he is their author. In the same way, the Supreme is not stirred or limited by the guṇas, whereas the individual who identifies with them is pulled this way and that.
Practical significance: We often think of our moods as who we are. The Gita says that these are states passing through nature. When we identify with them, we become bound by them, but when we recognise their source and remain a witness, we gain freedom.
Message for Everyday Life (Becoming the Witness of Your Moods)
Notice the guṇa at work: At different times of the day we experience clarity, restlessness, or lethargy. Recognising which one is dominant helps us respond wisely instead of being carried along by it.
Practical approach: When you feel restless or sluggish, name the state without judgment, and then take a step to nurture sattva, such as a walk, a simple meal, silence, or good reading. Do not blame yourself for passing moods, and do not allow them to define you. Over time, the witnessing attitude weakens the hold of all three.
The Three Guṇas Arise from Him, Yet He Is Not Bound by Them
Having described the Divine presence in many excellent things, Lord Krishna now widens the scope to cover every kind of condition in the world. This includes not only what is pure and uplifting, but also what is restless and what is dull. All of it ultimately has its basis in Him.
Sāttvikā bhāvāḥ (states of sattva): These are conditions of clarity, balance, knowledge, and peace.
Rājasāḥ (states of rajas): These are conditions of passion, restlessness, ambition, and activity driven by desire.
Tāmasāḥ (states of tamas): These are conditions of inertia, ignorance, confusion, and heedlessness.
Matta eveti tān viddhi (know that they all arise from Me alone): The three guṇas are the modes of material nature, which has its source in Lord Krishna. Every mood and temperament that we experience, whether serene, agitated, or dull, is a product of this nature, and therefore not outside His order.
Na tv ahaṁ teṣu te mayi (but I am not in them; they are in Me): This is the subtle and important part. Lord Krishna is the source and support of the guṇas, yet He is not subject to them. A king is not bound by the laws of his own kingdom in the way that his subjects are, because he is their author. In the same way, the Supreme is not stirred or limited by the guṇas, whereas the individual who identifies with them is pulled this way and that.
Practical significance: We often think of our moods as who we are. The Gita says that these are states passing through nature. When we identify with them, we become bound by them, but when we recognise their source and remain a witness, we gain freedom.
Message for Everyday Life (Becoming the Witness of Your Moods)
Notice the guṇa at work: At different times of the day we experience clarity, restlessness, or lethargy. Recognising which one is dominant helps us respond wisely instead of being carried along by it.
Practical approach: When you feel restless or sluggish, name the state without judgment, and then take a step to nurture sattva, such as a walk, a simple meal, silence, or good reading. Do not blame yourself for passing moods, and do not allow them to define you. Over time, the witnessing attitude weakens the hold of all three.
Next Topic
Lord Krishna has explained that all states of sattva, rajas, and tamas come from Him, yet He remains beyond them. This raises a serious question: if the Divine is so near and so evident, why do most people fail to recognise Him? In the next verse, He explains that the world is bewildered by these three modes.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
You are more than your passing moods.
Storms pass through the sky, but the sky stays open.
Name the state, and it loosens its grip.
All colors come from one light.
Standing apart from moods is the start of freedom.
Even goodness is a state, not a possession.
What arises can be observed without being obeyed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are 'sāttvikāḥ' (of the nature of goodness), 'rājasāḥ' (of the nature of passion) and 'tāmasāḥ' (of the nature of ignorance) states?
What does 'mattaḥ eva' (from Me alone) mean?
What does it mean that 'na tu aham teṣhu' (I am not in them)?
What does 'te mayi' (they are in Me) imply?
What is the practical message of this verse?
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