Bhagavad Gita Chapter 14, Verse 21

English Translation

Arjuna said O Lord, by what signs is one (known) who has gone beyond these three alities? What is his behaviour, and how does he transcend these three alities?

Detailed Commentary

।।14.21।। **Commentary:** Regarding the phrase, "कैर्लिङ्गैस्त्रीन्गुणानेतानतीतो भवति प्रभो – By what signs is one known to have transcended these three *guṇas*, O Lord?", I wish to know what are the characteristics of a person who has transcended the *guṇas*. This means, what distinguishing features does a *guṇātīta* possess compared to an ordinary human, by which one can recognize them as such. As for "किमाचारः – What is their conduct?", how does that *guṇātīta* person behave? Is their daily routine and nocturnal routine like that of an ordinary person, or is it different? Is their way of eating, living, sleeping, and waking like that of an ordinary person, or is it different? Regarding "कथं चैतांस्त्रीन्गुणानतिवर्तते – And how does one transcend these three *guṇas*?", what is the means to transcend these three *guṇas*? What spiritual practice (*sādhanā*) enables a person to become *guṇātīta*? **Context:** In response to Arjuna's questions, the Lord describes the characteristics of a *guṇātīta* person in the next two verses.