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Chapter 14 · Verse 16 · Gunatraya Vibhaga Yoga

Bhagavad Gita 14.16

philosophical Karma & Action Jnana & Wisdom Attachment & Letting Go

Sanskrit

कर्मणः सुकृतस्याहुः सात्त्विकं निर्मलं फलम्।रजसस्तु फलं दुःखमज्ञानं तमसः फलम्।।14.16।।

Transliteration

karmaṇaḥ sukṛitasyāhuḥ sāttvikaṁ nirmalaṁ phalam rajasas tu phalaṁ duḥkham ajñānaṁ tamasaḥ phalam

Word by Word

karmaṇaḥ of action
su-kṛitasya pure
āhuḥ is said
sāttvikam mode of goodness
nirmalam pure
phalam result
rajasaḥ mode of passion
tu indeed
phalam result
duḥkham pain
ajñānam ignorance
tamasaḥ mode of ignorance
phalam result
Simplified Perspective

Sri Krishna reveals the eternal law written into the fabric of consciousness itself: every action bears fruit according to the consciousness from which it springs. When you act from clarity, truth, and self-awareness—the sattvic nature—the result is peace and purity, a lightness in the soul.

When you act from craving, ambition, and ego—the rajasic nature—you harvest suffering, the inevitable friction of the divided self. When you act from delusion, numbness, and denial—the tamasic nature—you reap ignorance, a deepening darkness of understanding.

Today, pause before your next action and ask: which guṇa is moving me? This single discernment becomes the gateway to freedom.

Listen

Bhagavad Gita 14.16 — BG 14.16

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Sanskrit text from the Bhagavad Gita (public domain). Commentary © Mahakatha.

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