Topic

Bondage

3 verses from the Bhagavad Gita on bondage. Explore teachings across 3 chapters.

All Verses

Chapter 14 • Verse 5 →The Yoga of the Division of the Three Gunas

Sattvam rajas tama iti gunah prakriti-sambhavah, nibadhnanti maha-baho dehe dehinam avyayam

The three gunas—sattva (goodness), rajas (passion), and tamas (ignorance)—born of material nature, bind the eternal soul to the body.

•Three modes govern material existence
•Even the soul becomes bound by qualities
•Understanding the gunas leads to freedom

three gunas material nature qualities freedom

Chapter 15 • Verse 2 →The Yoga of the Supreme Person

Adhaśh chordhvaṁ prasṛitās tasya śhākhā guṇa-pravṛiddhā viṣhaya-pravālāḥ, adhaśh cha mūlāny anusantatāni karmānubandhīni manuṣhya-loke

The branches of the tree extend both upward and downward, nourished by the three gunas, with sense objects as the sprouts. Its roots extend downward, binding one to actions in the human world.

•Cosmic tree represents material existence
•Gunas nourish worldly attachments
•Roots of karma bind us to the world

cosmic tree gunas material world karma

Chapter 16 • Verse 5 →The Yoga of the Divine and Demoniac Natures

Daivī sampad vimokṣhāya nibandhāyāsurī matā, mā śhuchaḥ sampadaṁ daivīm abhijāto 'si pāṇḍava

Divine qualities lead to liberation, while demoniac qualities lead to bondage. Do not grieve, O Pandava, for you are born with divine treasures.

•Divine qualities liberate
•Demoniac qualities bind
•Arjuna has divine nature

liberation divine nature destiny encouragement