14-1

The Supreme Lord said: I will again reveal to you this supreme wisdom, the best of all knowledge, which all the wise have attained, reaching supreme perfection.

Explanation: In this verse, Krishna announces that He will again reveal to Arjuna the supreme wisdom, which is the best part of all knowledge. This wisdom has allowed all the wise to achieve supreme perfection, i.e., liberation and unity with the Divine. In this verse, Krishna begins to enumerate the divine qualities possessed by those who walk the path of spiritual development, and these qualities help a person break free from the limitations of the material world and approach the Divine.

14-2

By firmly adhering to this knowledge, one can attain a transcendental nature similar to Mine. One who has attained this is no longer born at the time of creation and is not disturbed at the time of annihilation.

Explanation: In this verse, Krishna explains that by firmly adhering to this supreme knowledge, a person can attain a transcendental nature similar to His own divine nature. One who has attained this is freed from the cycle of birth and death – he is no longer born at the time of creation and is not disturbed at the time of annihilation because he has attained eternal, spiritual existence.

14-3

All matter, which is called the Supreme, is the source of birth, and I impregnate this Supreme, O descendant of Bharata, making the birth of all beings possible.

Explanation: In this verse, Krishna reveals that all matter is the source of birth, and He is the one who impregnates this matter, making the birth of all living beings possible. This verse symbolically depicts the interaction between the Divine and matter in creating life. In this verse, Krishna completes the enumeration of divine qualities, and these qualities belong to divine beings who are endowed with a divine nature and are on the right path of spiritual development.

14-4

Understand, O son of Kunti, that all beings can be born in this material nature, and that I am the seed-giving father.

Explanation: In this verse, Krishna continues to explain that all living beings, regardless of their species, can be born in this material nature. He again emphasizes that He is the father of all beings, the seed-giver, who impregnates matter and makes the emergence of life possible. In this verse, Krishna begins to describe the demonic qualities, which are the opposite of the divine, and these qualities belong to those whose consciousness has been taken over by a demonic nature and who are far from spiritual understanding.

14-5

Matter consists of three qualities – goodness, passion, and ignorance. When the eternal living being comes into contact with matter, O mighty-armed Arjuna, these qualities bind it.

Explanation: In this verse, Krishna introduces the concept of the three qualities of material nature (goodness, passion, and ignorance). He explains that upon coming into contact with matter, the eternal living being (soul) is bound by these qualities, which determine its experiences and actions in the material world. In this verse, Krishna explains that the divine qualities lead to liberation from the suffering and attachments of the material world, while the demonic qualities lead to further servitude to matter, and Arjuna need not grieve because he was born with divine qualities, which means he has the potential to achieve spiritual liberation.

14-6

O sinless one, the quality of goodness, which is purer than the other qualities, illuminates and frees from sinful consequences. Those who are under the influence of this quality become attached to the consciousness of happiness and knowledge.

Explanation: In this verse, Krishna begins to explain each of the three qualities separately. The quality of goodness is the purest of all, it illuminates a person's mind and frees them from the consequences of sin. However, it attracts a person with the consciousness of happiness and knowledge, creating a kind of spiritual comfort that can become an obstacle to complete liberation. In this verse, Krishna explains that there are two types of created beings in this world – divine and demonic, and He has extensively discussed the divine qualities and is now preparing to describe the demonic qualities and their impact on human life.

14-7

The quality of passion arises from unlimited desires and lust, O son of Kunti, and it binds the embodied living being to fruitful action.

Explanation: In this verse, Krishna describes the quality of passion, which arises from unlimited desires and lust. This quality binds the embodied living being to action aimed at achieving results, thereby entangling the soul in the cycle of material desires and their fulfillment. In this verse, Krishna describes the inability of demonic beings to distinguish right from wrong, and they lack purity, proper conduct, and understanding of the truth, and they do not know how to act in accordance with spiritual principles and moral norms.

14-8

O descendant of Bharata, know that the quality of darkness, born of ignorance, deludes all embodied beings. It binds with madness, laziness, and sleep.

Explanation: In this verse, Krishna describes the quality of ignorance, which is born from nescience and deludes all embodied beings. This quality binds the soul with madness, laziness, and sleep, i.e., with inertia, apathy, and spiritual darkness. In this verse, Krishna reveals the deluded views of demonic beings about the structure and meaning of the world, and they deny the existence of God and believe that the world is random, without foundation, and that its only driving force is lust and sexual desire.

14-9

O descendant of Bharata, the quality of goodness binds with happiness, the quality of passion – with fruitful action, but the quality of ignorance, covering the beings' knowledge, binds with madness.

Explanation: In this verse, Krishna summarizes the influence of the three qualities on the living being. Goodness binds with the feeling of happiness, passion – with actions aimed at achieving results, but ignorance, obscuring knowledge, binds with madness, inertia, and spiritual blindness. In this verse, Krishna describes the actions of demonic beings that stem from their deluded views, and they have lost connection with their true nature, act irrationally, and engage in evil, destructive actions aimed at destroying the world.

14-10

Sometimes, O descendant of Bharata, by surpassing the qualities of passion and ignorance, the quality of goodness takes precedence. Sometimes the quality of passion surpasses goodness and ignorance, but at other times, O Arjuna, the quality of ignorance surpasses goodness and passion. The qualities are always competing for supremacy.

Explanation: In this verse, Krishna explains that the three qualities of material nature are constantly fighting among themselves for a dominant position in human consciousness. Sometimes goodness prevails, sometimes passion, and sometimes ignorance. This struggle determines a person's actions, thoughts, and emotional state. In this verse, Krishna explains the motivation behind the actions of demonic beings, and they find refuge in insatiable lust, which can never be fully satisfied, and are immersed in pride, vanity, and false ambition, which leads to delusions and attachment to temporary, false values.

14-11

The manifestation of the quality of goodness can be experienced when all the gates of the body are illuminated with knowledge.

Explanation: In this verse, Krishna describes the manifestation of the quality of goodness, which is felt as inner illumination and an influx of knowledge at all levels of perception. When goodness dominates a person's consciousness, their perception becomes clear, and they are able to better understand spiritual matters.

14-12

O best of the Bharata dynasty, when the quality of passion increases, strong attachments, fruitful actions, persistent efforts, as well as uncontrollable desires and cravings develop.

Explanation: In this verse, Krishna describes the signs of an increase in the quality of passion. These manifest as a strong attachment to material results, increased activity, persistent efforts, as well as uncontrollable desires and cravings. A person becomes a slave to their desires and passions. In this verse, Krishna continues to describe the demonic beings' false perception of life, and they believe that sense gratification until the end of life is the highest necessity and goal of humanity.

14-13

When the quality of darkness and ignorance increases, O descendant of Kuru, then darkness, inaction, madness, and delusion ensue.

Explanation: In this verse, Krishna describes the consequences of an increase in the quality of ignorance. These are darkness, inaction, madness, and delusion. A person's consciousness becomes darkened, they lose the ability to think and act clearly, sinking into apathy and illusions. In this verse, Krishna continues to characterize the actions of demonic beings and their consequences, and they are completely entangled in networks of hundreds of thousands of desires that control and guide them, and overcome by passion and anger, they seek means to acquire money and power illegally.

14-14

When a person in the quality of goodness dies, he attains the pure, highest abodes of the wise.

Explanation: In this verse, Krishna explains that a person who dies under the influence of the quality of goodness attains the pure, highest abodes of the wise – the spiritual worlds where there is no suffering or ignorance. This is the result of prolonged spiritual practice and cultivation of goodness. In this verse, Krishna reveals the way of thinking of a demonic person, and this person is obsessed with greed and constantly thinks about how much wealth they own now and how much more they will acquire in the future.

14-15

When a person dies in the quality of passion, he is born among those who are attached to fruitful action, and when he dies in the quality of ignorance, he is born in the animal kingdom.

Explanation: In this verse, Krishna explains that a person who dies under the influence of the quality of passion is reborn among those who are attached to fruitful action, i.e., materially minded people. In turn, if a person dies under the influence of the quality of ignorance, he may even be born in the animal kingdom, as his level of consciousness is low. In this verse, Krishna continues to reveal the way of thinking of a demonic person, which is full of violence, selfishness, and illusions, and could specify that such a person considers others to be their enemies and boasts of having defeated or killed them, and falsely considers themselves to be the ruler and owner of the whole world.

14-16

It is said that the result of charitable action is pure and belongs to the quality of goodness. Actions performed in the quality of passion bring suffering, but actions performed in the quality of ignorance lead to madness.

Explanation: In this verse, Krishna describes the consequences of different actions depending on which qualities influence them. Charitable action performed under the influence of the quality of goodness brings purity and spiritual progress. Actions performed under the influence of passion create suffering and attachment to the result. Conversely, actions influenced by the quality of ignorance lead to madness and spiritual degradation. In this verse, Krishna continues to reveal the way of thinking of a demonic person, which is based on vanity and self-deception, and could specify that such a person boasts of their wealth and influential relatives, considering themselves to be all-powerful and happy, and plans to make donations and give charitable gifts not out of genuine compassion, but in order to enjoy their apparent nobility and increase their reputation.

14-17

From the quality of goodness develops true knowledge, from the quality of passion – greed, but from the quality of ignorance – madness, delusion, and nescience.

Explanation: In this verse, Krishna explains what consequences arise from each of the three qualities. The quality of goodness promotes the development of true spiritual knowledge. The quality of passion creates greed and insatiable desires. The quality of ignorance leads to madness, delusion, and nescience, which is the opposite of spiritual growth. In this verse, Krishna describes the consequences that arise from demonic thinking and actions, and could specify that such persons, being deluded with many anxieties and trapped in a web of delusions, become overly attached to sense pleasures and fall into hell, which symbolizes spiritual degradation and suffering.

14-18

Those situated in the mode of goodness gradually go upward to the higher planets; those in the mode of passion live on the earthly planets; and those in the abominable mode of ignorance go down to the hellish worlds.

Explanation: In this verse, Krishna describes how each of the three modes of nature influences the destiny of the soul after death. Those influenced by goodness ascend to the higher planets – the spiritual worlds. Those influenced by passion remain on the earthly planets, i.e., the material world. Conversely, those influenced by ignorance descend to the hellish worlds, where suffering and darkness prevail. In this verse, Krishna describes the attitude of demonic people toward spiritual practices and could specify that they are self-satisfied and shameless, boast of their wealth and imagined honor, and if they make donations or rituals, they do so only for external show, without observing any rules or spiritual principles.

14-19

When one properly sees that in all activities no other performer is at work than these modes of nature and he knows the Supreme Lord, who is transcendental to all these modes, he attains to My spiritual abode.

Explanation: In this verse, Krishna explains that as a result of true understanding, a person realizes that all actions in the material world are performed by the three modes of nature, not by the soul. When a person knows the Supreme Lord, who is transcendental to these modes, he attains Krishna's spiritual abode, i.e., he is liberated from the limitations of the material world. In this verse, Krishna reveals the attitude of demonic people towards God and could specify that they are deluded by false ego, power, pride, lust, and anger, and despise God, who resides both in their own and others' bodies as the Supreme Soul. They blaspheme the true essence of religion by denying its principles and opposing spiritual values.

14-20

When the embodied being is able to transcend these three modes associated with the material body, he can become free from birth, death, old age and their distresses and can enjoy nectar even in this life.

Explanation: In this verse, Krishna confirms that by transcending the three modes of material nature, the embodied being (soul) can become free from birth, death, old age, and their associated sufferings. Moreover, this liberation and enjoyment of nectar are possible even while in this body, i.e., during this lifetime. In this verse, Krishna explains the fate of those who are envious, malicious, and act demonically, and could specify that He constantly throws such people, who are the lowest of all, into the ocean of suffering, causing them to be born in various demonic forms of existence, where suffering and darkness prevail.

14-21

Arjuna inquired: O my dear Lord, by what symptoms is one known who is transcendental to these three modes? What is his behavior? And how does he transcend the modes of nature?

Explanation: In this verse, Arjuna asks Krishna questions to better understand how to recognize a person who has transcended the three modes of material nature. He wants to know how such a person behaves and how he has been able to overcome the influence of these modes. In this verse, Krishna continues to explain the fate of demonic beings and could specify that by repeatedly falling into demonic forms of existence, these persons are unable to approach God and spiritual liberation and gradually sink into increasingly lower and more abominable forms of being.

14-22

The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: O son of Pāṇḍu, he who does not hate illumination, attachment and delusion when they are present or long for them when they disappear.

Explanation: In this verse, Krishna begins to answer Arjuna's question, describing the first signs that indicate transcendence of the three modes. A person who has reached this state does not dislike illumination (the manifestation of goodness), attachment (the manifestation of passion), and delusion (the manifestation of ignorance) when they are present, nor does he grieve when they are absent. He is equipoised in all conditions. In this verse, Krishna names the three main obstacles that lead to spiritual degradation and suffering, symbolically calling them the "gates of hell," and could specify that these obstacles are lust, anger, and greed, and every sensible person who wishes to develop spiritually must abandon these negative qualities.

14-23

He who is situated in transcendence and is unmoved, being situated in the self, and who looks on happiness and distress with an equal eye.

Explanation: In this verse, Krishna continues the description, indicating that a person who has transcended the modes remains neutral and transcendental, aware that only the modes of material nature are acting. He is unwavering in his spiritual consciousness, peaceful, and regards happiness and distress equally, not succumbing to fluctuations. In this verse, Krishna explains that a person who has been able to free himself from the influence of lust, anger, and greed can perform actions that promote self-realization and could add the idea that such a person gradually approaches the highest goal – spiritual liberation and unity with the Divine.

14-24

Who regards alike a clod, a stone and a piece of gold, who is equal toward the desirable and the undesirable, and who is steady, situated equally in honor and dishonor.

Explanation: In this verse, Krishna continues to describe the qualities of a person who has transcended the three modes of material nature. Such a person is in equilibrium; for him, there is no difference between a clod, a stone, and a piece of gold because he has freed himself from the material value scale. He is wise and accepts both the desirable and the undesirable equally, not being influenced by external circumstances. He is steadfast in his conviction and listens equally to both praise and blame because his self-esteem does not depend on external evaluation. In this verse, Krishna warns that one who does not follow the instructions of the scriptures and spiritual principles but acts only according to his own whims and desires will not achieve spiritual perfection, true happiness, or the highest goal – liberation, and could specify that his life will be full of suffering and disappointment because it will be based on egoism and ignorance.

14-25

Who is equal toward friend and enemy, who is equipoised in honor and dishonor, heat and cold, happiness and distress, fame and infamy, who is always free from contaminating association, always silent and satisfied with anything, who doesn't care for any residence, who is fixed in transcendental knowledge, and engaged in devotional service.

Explanation: In this verse, Krishna completes the list of qualities possessed by a person who has transcended the three modes of material nature. Such a person treats honor and dishonor equally, friend and enemy equally, and has renounced any activity aimed at achieving material results. His actions are free from egoism and serve a higher purpose.

14-26

One who engages in full devotional service, unfailing in all circumstances, at once transcends the modes of material nature and thus comes to the level of Brahman.

Explanation: In this verse, Krishna reveals the most effective way to transcend the modes of material nature – through complete devotion to spiritual service, or actions dedicated to God. One who never deviates from this path immediately transcends limitations and reaches the level of Divine consciousness, i.e., spiritual liberation.

14-27

And I am the basis of the impersonal Brahman, which is immortal, imperishable and eternal and is the constitutional position of ultimate happiness.

Explanation: In this verse, Krishna concludes the fourteenth chapter, revealing that He is the basis of the Divine consciousness, which is immortal, imperishable, and eternal. This Divine consciousness is the natural state of supreme happiness and Divine love, which all living beings strive for. Krishna is the source and destination of all that exists. In this verse, Krishna concludes the chapter, emphasizing the importance of scripture in the spiritual path, and could add the thought that a person must be guided by the instructions of the scriptures to understand what his duty is and what is not, and, knowing these rules and principles, act in a way that gradually improves spiritually.