BHAGAVAD-GITA 14:10

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BHAGAVAD-GITA 14:10

 

rajas tamas cabhibhuya

sattvam bhavati bharata

rajah sattvam tamas caiva

tamah sattvam rajas tatha

 

WORD FOR WORD

 

rajah--the mode of passion; tamah--the mode of ignorance; ca--also;

abhibhuya--surpassing; sattvam--the mode of goodness; bhavati--becomes

prominent; bharata--O son of Bharata; rajah--the mode of passion;

sattvam--the mode of goodness; tamah--the mode of ignorance; ca--also;

eva--like that; tamah--the mode of ignorance; sattvam--the mode of

goodness; rajah--the mode of passion; tatha--thus.

 

TRANSLATION

 

Sometimes the mode of goodness becomes prominent, defeating the modes

of passion and ignorance, O son of Bharata. Sometimes the mode of

passion defeats goodness and ignorance, and at other times ignorance

defeats goodness and passion. In this way there is always competition

for supremacy.

 

PURPORT

 

When the mode of passion is prominent, the modes of goodness and

ignorance are defeated. When the mode of goodness is prominent,

passion and ignorance are defeated. And when the mode of ignorance is

prominent, passion and goodness are defeated. This competition is

always going on. Therefore, one who is actually intent on advancing in

Krsna consciousness has to transcend these three modes. The prominence

of some certain mode of nature is manifested in one's dealings, in his

activities, in eating, etc. All this will be explained in later

chapters. But if one wants, he can develop, by practice, the mode of

goodness and thus defeat the modes of ignorance and passion. One can

similarly develop the mode of passion and defeat goodness and

ignorance. Or one can develop the mode of ignorance and defeat

goodness and passion. Although there are these three modes of material

nature, if one is determined he can be blessed by the mode of

goodness, and by transcending the mode of goodness he can be situated

in pure goodness, which is called the vasudeva state, a state in which

one can understand the science of God. By the manifestation of

particular activities, it can be understood in what mode of nature one

is situated.

 

Copyright 1983 The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International. Used with

permission.