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Chapter 18 · Verse 40 · Moksha Sanyaas Yoga

Bhagavad Gita 18.40

contemplative Moksha & Liberation Jnana & Wisdom Attachment & Letting Go

Sanskrit

न तदस्ति पृथिव्यां वा दिवि देवेषु वा पुनः।सत्त्वं प्रकृतिजैर्मुक्तं यदेभिः स्यात्ित्रभिर्गुणैः।।18.40।।

Transliteration

na tad asti pṛithivyāṁ vā divi deveṣhu vā punaḥ sattvaṁ prakṛiti-jair muktaṁ yad ebhiḥ syāt tribhir guṇaiḥ

Word by Word

na no
tat that
asti exists
pṛithivyām on earth
or
divi the higher celestial abodes
deveṣhu amongst the celestial gods
or
punaḥ again
sattvam existence
prakṛiti-jaiḥ born of material nature
muktam liberated
yat that
ebhiḥ from the influence of these
syāt is
tribhiḥ three
guṇaiḥ modes of material nature
Simplified Perspective

In all three worlds—earth, heaven, and the realm of gods—no being exists who has escaped the three gunas of nature. Sattva, rajas, and tamas weave through every existence like the threads of reality itself, binding even the celestials in their dance.

Yet Krishna speaks this truth not to trap us in despair, but to awaken us: when you see clearly that no external position or status liberates you, you turn inward to the one witness beyond all three gunas—your own eternal Self. In modern life, this means recognizing that climbing social hierarchies, accumulating wealth, or seeking prestige offers no real freedom—only self-knowledge through meditation and surrender can.

Listen

Bhagavad Gita 18.40 — BG 18.40

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

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