Verse 18.19
Speaker: Krishna
Sanskrit
ज्ञानं कर्म च कर्ता च त्रिधैव गुणभेदतः | प्रोच्यते गुणसंख्याने यथावच्छृणु तान्यपि ||१९||
Transliteration (IAST)
jñānaṁ karma ca kartā ca tridhaiva guṇa-bhedataḥ | procyate guṇa-saṅkhyāne yathāvac chṛṇu tāny api ||19||
Word-by-Word Meanings
jñānam-knowledge
karma-action
kartā-the doer
tridhā-threefold
guṇa-bhedataḥ-according to the distinction of gunas
procyate-is declared
guṇa-saṅkhyāne-in the science of the gunas
yathāvat-as they are
Translation
Knowledge, action, and the doer are declared to be of three kinds according to the distinction of the gunas in the science of the gunas. Hear of these also as they truly are.
Commentary
Krishna announces the threefold classification of knowledge, action, and doer based on the three gunas (sattva, rajas, tamas). Shankaracharya notes that 'guṇa-saṅkhyāne' refers to the Sankhya analysis of nature's constituents. This section (verses 19-28) provides a comprehensive taxonomy that helps the aspirant identify and cultivate sattvic qualities.
Themes
jnanakarma