14.17 sathvAth sanjAyathE gyAnam

SrI:  SrImathE SatakOpAya nama:  SrImathE rAmAnujAya nama:  SrImath varavaramunayE nama:

Chapter 14

<< Chapter 14 verse 16

SlOkam – Original

sathvAth sanjAyathE gyAnam rajasO lObha Eva cha |
pramAdhamOhau thamasO bhavathO’gyAnam Eva cha ||

word-by-word meaning

sathvAth – only by (abundant) sathva guNam
gyAnam – knowledge (including self-realisation)
sanjAyathE – is created nicely;
rajasa: – only by (abundant) rajO guNam
lObha: Eva cha – desire towards heaven etc is created;
thamasa: – only by (abundant) thamO guNam
pramAdha mOhau – engagement in evil deeds due to carelessness, and (as a result of that) contrary knowledge
bhavatha: – is created;
agyAnam Eva cha –  (as a result of that) ignorance also is created;

Simple Translation

Only by (abundant) sathva guNam, knowledge (including self-realisation) is created nicely; only by (abundant) rajO guNam, desire towards heaven etc is created; only by (abundant) thamO guNam, engagement in evil deeds due to carelessness, and (as a result of that) contrary knowledge and ignorance are created.

Rendering based on ALkoNdavilli gOvindhAchArya swAmy’s English translation of gIthA bhAshyam

‘From Satvam springs forth wisdom; from Rajas
avidity itself; inattention and infatuation come from Tamas, as well as unwisdom.’

When thus Satvam goes on more and, more increasing, wisdom, or more and more direct enlightenment (or verification) of ātma-nature is produced.

Similarly, as Rajas goes on more and more increasing, more and more avidity or appetite is produced for Svarga and similar fruits.

Similarly, Tamas increasing, produces inattention, meaning a proclivity for wickedness etc. Hence arises infatuation, or a distorted understanding. From this more and more Tamas is begotten. Thence unwisdom or nullification of wisdom or intelligence ensues.

>> Chapter 14 verse 18

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