Chapter 14 • Verse 18

Gunatraya Vibhaga Yoga

The Yoga of the Division of the Three Gunas

Sanskrit Verse

Urdhvam gacchanti sattva-stha madhye tishthanti rajasah, jaghanya-guna-vritti-stha adho gacchanti tamasah

Translation & Meaning

Those situated in sattva gradually go upward to higher planes. Those in rajas remain in the middle. Those in the abominable mode of tamas go downward. The three gunas create a vertical cosmology of ascent, stasis, and descent.

Key Teachings

  • Sattva leads to ascent in consciousness and existence
  • Rajas maintains one in the middle realm of activity
  • Tamas leads to degradation and downward evolution

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