Krishna said: O Arjuna, the one who has gone beyond the three gunas does not hate light, activity, or confusion when they appear, and does not long for them when they disappear.
— Krishna
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Bhagavad Gita · 14.22
Hindi · हिन्दी
श्रीभगवान् बोले हे पाण्डव प्रकाश, प्रवृत्ति तथा मोह ये सभी अच्छी तरहसे प्रवृत्त हो जायँ तो भी गुणातीत मनुष्य इनसे द्वेष नहीं करता, और ये सभी निवृत्त हो जायँ तो इनकी इच्छा नहीं करता ॥
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Hover a word to focus on it.
श्री भगवानुवाचthe Blessed One saidप्रकाशंlightचandप्रवृत्तिंactivityचandमोहमेवand delusion itselfचandपाण्डवO Pandavaन द्वेष्टिdoes not hateसम्प्रवृत्तानिwhen arisenन निवृत्तानिwhen ceasedकाङ्क्षतिdesire
Read literallythe Blessed One said · light · and · activity · and · and delusion itself · and · O Pandava · does not hate · when arisen · when ceased · desire
Understanding the verse
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It teaches you to observe changing inner states without resistance or craving.
A person beyond the three gunas stays even-minded. When clarity, energy, or confusion appear, there is no hatred. When they fade, there is no craving.
02
On the battlefield
Context & commentary
On the battlefield, Arjuna has asked how someone rises beyond the three gunas. Krishna answers with a test: the mature person does not react with aversion when clarity, drive, or confusion appear, and does not cling when they pass.
03
In your life
Why this verse still matters
You wake up clear one day, restless the next, numb after that. Instead of treating each state like a verdict on your life, you let it move through without panic or pursuit.
The takeaway
“You stop fighting your changing states and stop chasing the next one.”
A person beyond the three gunas stays even-minded. When clarity, energy, or confusion appear, there is no hatred. When they fade, there is no craving.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 14.22?
Krishna speaks this verse, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, in the chapter titled "Gunatraya Vibhaga Yoga" (The Three Modes of Material Nature).
Which chapter of the Bhagavad Gita contains verse 14.22?
Verse 22 sits in Chapter 14 of the Bhagavad Gita — Gunatraya Vibhaga Yoga, "The Three Modes of Material Nature". The chapter has 27 verses in total.
Why does Bhagavad Gita 14.22 matter today?
You wake up clear one day, restless the next, numb after that. Instead of treating each state like a verdict on your life, you let it move through without panic or pursuit.
It teaches you to observe changing inner states without resistance or craving.
What this verse means
A person beyond the three gunas stays even-minded. When clarity, energy, or confusion appear, there is no hatred. When they fade, there is no craving.
Context & commentary
On the battlefield, Arjuna has asked how someone rises beyond the three gunas. Krishna answers with a test: the mature person does not react with aversion when clarity, drive, or confusion appear, and does not cling when they pass.
Why this verse still matters
You wake up clear one day, restless the next, numb after that. Instead of treating each state like a verdict on your life, you let it move through without panic or pursuit.
“You stop fighting your changing states and stop chasing the next one.”
Explore related themes: vairagya (51 verses), gunas (47 verses), equanimity (23 verses)