Bhagavad Gita · Gunatraya Vibhaga Yoga — The Three Modes of Nature
Chapter 14, Verse 16
"Bhagavad Gita 14.16" — meaning and explanation.
कर्मणः सुकृतस्याहुः सात्त्विकं निर्मलं फलम् | रजसस्तु फलं दुःखमज्ञानं तमसः फलम्
karmaṇaḥ sukṛtasyāhuḥ sāttvikaṃ nirmalaṃ phalam . rajasastu phalaṃ duḥkhamajñānaṃ tamasaḥ phalam
Meaning
14.16 The fruit of good action, they say, is Sattvic and pure, verily the fruit of Rajas is pain, and ignorance is the fruit of Tamas.
।।14.16।। शुभ कर्म का फल सात्विक और निर्मल कहा गया है; रजोगुण का फल दु;ख और तमोगुण का फल अज्ञान है।।
Explanation
14.16 कर्मणः of action? सुकृतस्य (of) good? आहुः (they) say? सात्त्विकम् Sattvic? निर्मलम् pure? फलम् the fruit? रजसः of Rajas? तु verily? फलम् the fruit? दुःखम् pain? अज्ञानम् ignorance? तमसः of inertia? फलम् the fruit.Commentary Good action Sattvic action. The fruit of good action is both happiness and,knowledge.They The wise.Rajas means Rajasic action as this verse deals with action. The fruit of Rajasic action is bitter. Rajasic action brings pain? disappointment and dissatisfaction. Rajasic activity leads to greed. When the Rajasic man tries to gratify his original desires? new desires crop up. This opens the door to greed.Tamas Tamasic action? unrighteous deeds or sin (Adharma). There is no knowledge within and no foresight.
Life Lesson
Study Bhagavad Gita 14.16 slowly, then express its central teaching through one thoughtful action in daily life.
Context
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 14, verse 16, from Krishna's dialogue with Arjuna at Kurukshetra.
Bhagavad Gita 14.16
This page presents the Sanskrit verse, transliteration, Hindi meaning, English meaning, and a simple explanation for study. For a fuller understanding, read this shloka in sequence with the rest of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 14.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Bhagavad Gita 14.16 mean?
14.16 The fruit of good action, they say, is Sattvic and pure, verily the fruit of Rajas is pain, and ignorance is the fruit of Tamas.
What is the life lesson of this verse?
Study Bhagavad Gita 14.16 slowly, then express its central teaching through one thoughtful action in daily life.
What is the context of this verse?
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 14, verse 16, from Krishna's dialogue with Arjuna at Kurukshetra.