सत्त्वं रजस्तम इति गुणाः प्रकृतिसंभवाः ।
निबध्नन्ति महाबाहो देहे देहिनमव्ययम् ॥
निबध्नन्ति महाबाहो देहे देहिनमव्ययम् ॥
Hindi · हिन्दी
हे महाबाहो प्रकृतिसे उत्पन्न होनेवाले सत्त्व, रज और तम ये तीनों गुण अविनाशी देहीको देहमें बाँध देते हैं ॥
English
Arjuna, the three qualities of nature—sattva, rajas, and tamas—bind the imperishable inner being to the body.
What this verse means
The three qualities born from nature keep the imperishable inner being tied to the body.
Context & commentary
On the battlefield, Arjuna is still frozen while Krishna explains why beings stay caught in embodied life. Sattva, rajas, and tamas are not just traits; they are forces of nature that bind the unchanging inner being to the body.
Why this verse still matters
You know that moment when you promise yourself you will react calmly, then irritation, craving, or fog takes over anyway? This verse points to the deeper machinery behind that takeover.
The takeaway
You are not trapped by weakness alone; the whole system of nature can keep you identified.
Word-by-word translation
सत्त्वं (sattva) / रजः (rajas) / तमः (tamas) / इति (thus) / गुणाः (qualities) / प्रकृतिसंभवाः (born of nature) / निबध्नन्ति (bind) / महाबाहो (mighty-armed one) / देहे (in the body) / देहिनम् (the embodied one) / अव्ययम् (imperishable)
This verse is part of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 14: Gunatraya Vibhaga Yoga — The Three Modes of Material Nature, which contains 27 verses.
Explore related themes: gunas (47 verses), prakriti (31 verses)