Bhagavad Gita Chapter 14, Verse 19

English Translation

When the witness sees none other than the alities as the agent, and knows that which is superior [i.e. different from.] to the alities, he attains My nature.

Detailed Commentary

14.19. Elucidation – *nānyaṁ guṇebhyaḥ... madbhāvaṁ so'dhigacchati* – There is no other doer besides the *guṇas*, meaning all actions arise from the *guṇas*. All changes occur within the *guṇas*. This signifies that the *guṇas* alone are the cause of all actions and changes, and there is no other cause. That Reality (*Tattva*) by which these *guṇas* are illumined is beyond the *guṇas*. Being beyond the *guṇas*, it is never tainted by them, meaning the *guṇas* and their actions have no effect on it. When a discerning *sādhaka* recognizes that conscious Reality (*Tattva*) – that is, through *viveka* (discrimination), he experiences himself as beyond the *guṇas*, unassociated, and untainted – then he realizes that his connection with the *guṇas* never was, nor ever will be. The reason is that the *guṇas* are mutable, whereas the Self never undergoes change. Then he attains My true nature (*Svarūpa*). This means that the connection he mistakenly assumed with the *guṇas* is erased, and his true relationship with Me remains as it always was.