Illustration for Bhagavad Gita chapter 14 verse 19
Chapter 14 · Gunatraya Vibhaga Yoga

Beyond the Gunas · Less Personal Blame

नान्यं गुणेभ्यः कर्तारं यदा द्रष्टानुपश्यति । गुणेभ्यश्च परं वेत्ति मद्भावं सोऽधिगच्छति ॥

nānyaṁ guṇebhyaḥ kartāraṁ yadā draṣṭānupaśyati guṇebhyaś ca paraṁ vetti mad-bhāvaṁ so 'dhigacchati

Meaning

"When the seer perceives no doer other than the gunas, and knows That which is beyond the gunas, one attains My nature."

Explanation

There's real freedom in seeing that much of what drives behavior is simply the play of these three qualities — it takes some of the harsh personal blame out of both your mistakes and others'.

Today's Life Lesson

When someone (including you) acts out of character today, remember it may just be the gunas shifting, not a fixed flaw.

More verses to reflect on