One who remains like an indifferent witness, unmoved by the three qualities, stands firm and does not stir, knowing only that the qualities are acting among themselves.
— Krishna
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Bhagavad Gita · 14.23
Hindi · हिन्दी
जो उदासीनकी तरह स्थित है और जो गुणोंके द्वारा विचलित नहीं किया जा सकता तथा गुण ही गुणोंमें बरत रहे हैं इस भावसे जो अपने स्वरूपमें ही स्थित रहता है और स्वयं कोई भी चेष्टा नहीं करता ॥
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Hover a word to focus on it.
उदासीनवद्like one indifferentआसीनःseated, remainingगुणैःby the qualitiesयःwhoनnotविचाल्यतेis shakenगुणाःthe qualitiesवर्तन्तेare actingइतिthusएवonlyयःwhoअवतिष्ठतिremains establishedनnotईङ्गतेmoves
Read literallylike one indifferent · seated, remaining · by the qualities · who · not · is shaken · the qualities · are acting · thus · only · who · remains established · not · moves
Understanding the verse
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It shifts attention from being carried by mental states to remaining established while they change.
A wise person stays steady, not shaken by the three qualities, and sees that they are only moving among themselves.
02
On the battlefield
Context & commentary
On Kurukshetra, Arjuna asks how a person rises beyond the three qualities. Krishna answers with a mark of inner maturity: the wise one sits like an uninvolved witness, while the qualities keep shifting around them. This verse sharpens that answer.
03
In your life
Why this verse still matters
A harsh email lands, your chest tightens, and the old urge to react flares up. This verse teaches you to notice the surge without becoming it.
The takeaway
“You can stop identifying with every passing mood and impulse. That creates a quiet kind of freedom.”
It shifts attention from being carried by mental states to remaining established while they change.
What this verse means
A wise person stays steady, not shaken by the three qualities, and sees that they are only moving among themselves.
Context & commentary
On Kurukshetra, Arjuna asks how a person rises beyond the three qualities. Krishna answers with a mark of inner maturity: the wise one sits like an uninvolved witness, while the qualities keep shifting around them. This verse sharpens that answer.
Why this verse still matters
A harsh email lands, your chest tightens, and the old urge to react flares up. This verse teaches you to notice the surge without becoming it.
“You can stop identifying with every passing mood and impulse. That creates a quiet kind of freedom.”
Explore related themes: gunas (47 verses), equanimity (23 verses)