In the analysis of the three qualities, knowledge, action, and the doer are each said to be threefold. Listen now to these distinctions as they truly are.
— Krishna
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Bhagavad Gita · 18.19
Hindi · हिन्दी
गुणसंख्यान गुणोंके सम्बन्धसे प्रत्येक पदार्थके भिन्नभिन्न भेदोंकी गणना करनेवाले शास्त्रमें गुणोंके भेदसे ज्ञान और कर्म तथा कर्ता तीनतीन प्रकारसे ही कहे जाते हैं, उनको भी तुम यथार्थरूपसे सुनो ॥
The verse in reading order — each Sanskrit word with its meaning beneath. Hover a word to focus on it.
ज्ञानंknowledgeकर्मactionचandकर्ताdoerचandत्रिधाthreefoldएवindeedगुणभेदतःaccording to the distinctions of the qualitiesप्रोच्यतेare saidगुणसंख्यानेin the analysis of the qualitiesयथावत्as they truly areशृणुlistenतानिthoseअपिalso
Read literallyknowledge · action · and · doer · and · threefold · indeed · according to the distinctions of the qualities · are said · in the analysis of the qualities · as they truly are · listen · those · also
Understanding the verse
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It shifts attention from the outer event to the quality of consciousness behind it.
Knowledge, action, and the doer are each understood in three different ways according to the three qualities. Krishna asks Arjuna to listen carefully to this classification.
02
On the battlefield
Context & commentary
On the battlefield, Arjuna is still frozen while Krishna explains how action works beneath the surface. After saying that knowledge, action, and the doer can be divided in three ways, Krishna prepares Arjuna to hear how the qualities shape everything.
03
In your life
Why this verse still matters
You can do the same task with a clear mind, a restless mind, or a dull mind. The outer act looks identical, but the inner quality changes everything.
The takeaway
“It reminds you that not all thinking, acting, or acting-from-self is the same.”
Explore related themes: gunas(47 verses), jnana(24 verses), karma(11 verses)
Common questions
What does Bhagavad Gita 18.19 mean?
Knowledge, action, and the doer are each understood in three different ways according to the three qualities. Krishna asks Arjuna to listen carefully to this classification.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 18.19?
Krishna speaks this verse, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, in the chapter titled "Moksha Sanyasa Yoga" (Liberation through Renunciation).
Which chapter of the Bhagavad Gita contains verse 18.19?
Verse 19 sits in Chapter 18 of the Bhagavad Gita — Moksha Sanyasa Yoga, "Liberation through Renunciation". The chapter has 78 verses in total.
Why does Bhagavad Gita 18.19 matter today?
You can do the same task with a clear mind, a restless mind, or a dull mind. The outer act looks identical, but the inner quality changes everything.
It shifts attention from the outer event to the quality of consciousness behind it.
What this verse means
Knowledge, action, and the doer are each understood in three different ways according to the three qualities. Krishna asks Arjuna to listen carefully to this classification.
Context & commentary
On the battlefield, Arjuna is still frozen while Krishna explains how action works beneath the surface. After saying that knowledge, action, and the doer can be divided in three ways, Krishna prepares Arjuna to hear how the qualities shape everything.
Why this verse still matters
You can do the same task with a clear mind, a restless mind, or a dull mind. The outer act looks identical, but the inner quality changes everything.
“It reminds you that not all thinking, acting, or acting-from-self is the same.”
Explore related themes: gunas (47 verses), jnana (24 verses), karma (11 verses)