Bhagavad Gita Chapter 14, Verse 17

English Translation

From sattva is born knowledge [Knowledge acired through the sense-organs.], and from rajas, verily, avarice. From tamas are born inadvertence and delusion as also ignorance, to be sure.

Detailed Commentary

।।14.17।। Commentary -- From Sattva, knowledge arises. From Sattva-guna, discrimination (Viveka) awakens, enabling a person to perform good deeds. The fruit of these actions is pure. From Rajo-guna arises greed (Lobha). Whatever a person does, driven by greed, results in sorrow (Duhkha). The desire to increase what one possesses is indeed greed. Greed manifests in two forms: not spending appropriately and accumulating improperly. When wealth is not spent on proper endeavors, the mind remains restless. Accumulating wealth through improper means leads to sin (Papa), which becomes the cause of suffering in hells (Naraka) and eighty-four lakh species (Yonis). From Tamo-guna arise heedlessness (Pramada), infatuation (Moha), and ignorance (Agyana). These lead to actions contrary to discrimination, which further increases ignorance. Here, the generation of ignorance from Tamo-guna is described. Just as a tree arises from a seed and a seed from a tree, so too does ignorance arise from Tamo-guna, and Tamo-guna from ignorance. Necessary sleep is not Tamo-guni. In the eighth verse, the Lord mentioned heedlessness, laziness (Alasya), and sleep (Nidra), but here Nidra is not mentioned, which proves that necessary sleep is not an impediment. However, excessive sleep increases laziness. Even though the Jiva (individual soul) is a part of the Paramatma (Supreme Self), when it connects with Prakriti (nature), it is influenced by the Gunas. According to the Gunas, mental propensities (Vrittis) arise, and actions (Karma) are performed based on them. The fruit of these actions is received in the form of circumstances. After death, one attains higher or lower states. At the root of actions lie the propensities of the Gunas, and these become the cause of rebirth (Punarjanma). The influence of the Gunas also yields auspicious (Shubha) or inauspicious (Ashubha) fruits. In this verse, the main aspects of the Gunas have been explained. The person who directs their aim towards the Paramatma remains free from the subjugation of the Gunas of Prakriti. Through spiritual practice (Sadhana), ego (Ahamkara) transforms into firmness of purpose, and one experiences their self-evident true nature (Svatah-siddha Svarupa). This is the state of realization (Bodha). The Lord has discussed this in the initial verses of this chapter. Connection (Sambandha) -- The destiny (Gati) of one who dies during the ascendancy of particular Gunas is described. For those whose lives are dominated by Sattva, Rajas, or Tamas, their state upon death is further elaborated in the subsequent verse.