THE FOURTEENTH CHAPTER
Lord Krishna said, "O Arjuna! I am imparting to you once again the supreme knowledge of Brahmavidya, which surpasses all other forms of knowledge. By this knowledge, all my devotees have attained liberation upon renouncing their bodies. By embracing this knowledge, that is, by acting according to it, men who attain my ecstasy are not reborn at the time of creation nor do they suffer during the period of annihilation. They are freed from the cycles of birth and death.
O Arjuna! My Trigun Mahamaya is the origin of the entire world, and I, who implant the seed of desire, am its father. When I sow the seed of desire in
my Maya, creation unfolds.
O Arjuna! All three qualities—Satoguna, Rajoguna, and Tamoguna—are born from my nature. These qualities bind the imperishable soul to the body. Let me explain how this binding occurs: Satoguna is pure and free from sorrow; it illuminates both good and bad deeds and binds the soul with knowledge and happiness derived from these three qualities. Rajoguna generates desires for worldly pleasures such as a spouse, offspring, wealth, etc., fosters attachment, and ensnares the soul in various actions through hope. Tamoguna, which leads to terrible suffering, binds the soul in idleness and sleep.
Thus, Satoguna ensnares one in transient happiness; Rajoguna traps one in various actions; and Tamoguna veils the intellect with ignorance and corrupts one’s conscience.
O Arjuna! When Satoguna prevails by overcoming Rajoguna and Tamoguna, intellect stabilizes and tranquility ensues; even negative deeds become apparent. When this occurs within a person, they should realize that righteousness has manifested within them.
Similarly, when Rajoguna dominates by subduing Tamoguna and Satoguna, desires multiply, attachments form, and an urge to act arises. When such activities manifest within a person, they should understand that Rajoguna has taken hold.
When Tamoguna prevails over Satoguna and Rajoguna, conscience deteriorates, intellect becomes clouded, and anger and lethargy arise without discernment between Dharma (righteousness) and Adharma (unrighteousness). When these behaviors manifest within a person, they should recognize that Tamoguna has enveloped them.
O Arjuna! Now listen to the distinct outcomes of these three qualities: When a person departs their body in a state dominated by Satoguna—during its ascendance—they are reborn into a family of virtuous individuals with pure souls. If one leaves their body while Rajoguna is ascendant, they are born into a family influenced by Rajoguni traits. And if one departs in a state dominated by Tamoguna growth, they are reborn into cruel species such as lions or serpents.
Thus, the result of Satoguni actions is happiness; however, even this happiness ultimately perishes. The outcome of Rajoguni actions is misery; while that of Tamoguni actions is extreme suffering and ignorance.
Satoguna leads to enlightenment; Rajoguna leads to greed; Tamoguna leads to ignorance and disillusionment.
O Arjuna! Listen further: A Satoguni individual reaches the Supreme Deity
associated with Satoguna. Those influenced by Rajoguni traits are received by corresponding deities; while those under Tamoguni influence descend into hell.
By studying scriptures pertaining to Trigunas, associating with sages versed in these scriptures, or practicing devotion within these three qualities—one cannot attain my Nirguna knowledge or experience my supreme bliss because these qualities stem from my Mahamaya; hence they are also referred to as Trigun Maya.
Heaven (Swarga), Kailash (abode of Lord Shiva), Vaikuntha (abode of Lord Vishnu), Mrityuloka (the realm of death)—whatever is visible or constitutes the universe—all arise from my Maha Maya or Trigun Maya; all these are transient."
"I am beyond this Maya, which is why my knowledge is called Nirguna
Brahm Gyan; therefore, my knowledge and my ecstasy are eternal. Everything observed in the world, the marketplace of life, is imbued with all three qualities. All joys and sorrows found within the world are produced by these Three Gunas; thus, when my Nirgun Gyani understands these three Gunas and the reality of Me, it attains My Paramananda, the imperishable abode of liberation.
O Arjuna! The person who forsakes Triguna Bhakti and embraces My Nirguna Bhakti quickly becomes free from the sufferings of birth, death, and old age and attains My ecstasy."
Arjuna then asked, “O Lord! What are the characteristics of those men who are devoid of Triguna devotion and are devoted to your Nirguna Bhakti? What is their disposition, and by what means are they liberated from these three qualities? Please tell me.”
Lord Krishna replied, "O son of Pandu! He who does not get swayed by happiness or sorrow, who does not get entangled in joy or regret, who understands that these emotions are the workings of all three qualities—such a person remains steadfast in their path of knowledge. They remain composed, knowing happiness and sorrow to be the same; they see iron, stone, and gold as equal; they regard friends and foes alike; they treat insult and praise indifferently. Such a patient individual, recognizing honor and dishonor as one, renounces the actions prompted by these three qualities and the devotion bound by them. Detaching from Triguna knowledge and relinquishing all attachments, he chants my name with love, embracing my Nirguna knowledge and holding fast to my Nirguna Bhakti, thus attaining my form of Nirguna Paramananda.
O Arjuna! One who is my devotee in this manner is devoid of Triguna
devotion and is free from all three qualities.
O Arjuna! I am the imperishable Brahma, the eternal abode of bliss, and I am Dharma. Knowing this, one who worships Me transcends this ocean of sorrow and attains My ecstasy."
ITI SHRIMADBHAGWADGEETASUPANISHATSHU BRAHMAVIDYAYAM YOGSHASTRE SHRIKRISHNAARJUN SAMVADE GUNTRAYVIBHAG YOGONAM CHATURDASHOADHYAYAH ॥14॥
|| SHRIKRISHAN ARPAN MASTU ||
