jñānaṁ karma cha kartā cha tridhaiva guṇa-bhedataḥ
prochyate guṇa-saṅkhyāne yathāvach chhṛiṇu tāny api
jñānam — knowledge;
karma — action;
cha — and;
kartā — doer;
cha — also;
tridhā — of three kinds;
eva — certainly;
guṇa-bhedataḥ — distinguished according to the three modes of material nature;
prochyate — are declared;
guṇa-saṅkhyāne — Sānkhya philosophy, which describes the modes of material nature;
yathā-vat — as they are;
śhṛiṇu — listen;
tāni — them;
api — also
This verse tells us that there are three types of knowledge, actions, and people who perform those actions, all influenced by three natural qualities or modes. These modes are called goodness, passion, and ignorance. Each mode affects how we think, act, and how we see the world around us.
Earlier sections of the Bhagavad Gita explained these modes in detail. The mode of goodness brings clarity and understanding; it helps us see things more positively and encourages good behaviors—like kindness, patience, and self-control. If someone is mainly influenced by the goodness mode, they are more likely to act wisely and make choices that are beneficial for themselves and others.
The mode of passion, on the other hand, is focused on desires and material success. It motivates people to work hard to achieve wealth, fame, or pleasure, but often leads to stress and dissatisfaction, as it makes people want more and more—adding to their troubles rather than solving them. A person driven by this mode might constantly chase after new possessions or experiences, believing these will bring happiness.
Lastly, there’s the mode of ignorance. This mode leads to confusion and laziness. People influenced by this mode forgo important responsibilities or make choices that harm themselves and others because they can't see the reality of the situation; they may be stuck in negative habits and feel utterly unmotivated to change.
In summary, while we all act in these three ways, the key point is that these modes create a cycle of reactions or bondage in our lives. Each mode keeps us tied to our thoughts and habits, and even the mode of goodness, which seems more desirable, does not free us completely—it can still keep us attached to the sense of 'doer-ship.'
In this verse, Lord Krishna is about to break down these ideas of knowledge, actions, and who does those actions (people) based on these three qualities. Understanding how these modes affect our lives helps us make better choices and eventually leads us towards real freedom and understanding.