Gita 14.21
Gunatraya Vibhaga Yoga
अर्जुन उवाच | कैर्लिङ्गैस्त्रीन्गुणानेतानतीतो भवति प्रभो | किमाचारः कथं चैतांस्त्रीन्गुणानतिवर्तते ||२१||
arjuna uvāca | kair liṅgais trīn guṇān etān atīto bhavati prabho | kim ācāraḥ kathaṁ caitāṁs trīn guṇān ativartate ||21||
In essence: Arjuna asks: By what signs is one known who has transcended the gunas? What is their conduct? How do they transcend?
A conversation between a seeker and guide to help you feel this verse deeply
Sadhak-Guru Dialogue
Sadhak: "Why does Arjuna need signs? If someone is liberated, wouldn't it be obvious?"
Guru: "Not necessarily. Liberation isn't a special appearance or magical powers. A liberated being looks ordinary from outside. They eat, sleep, interact. Without understanding the signs, you might miss them - or mistake impressive but bound people for liberated ones."
Sadhak: "And the question about conduct - does a liberated person have to behave a certain way?"
Guru: "Not in the sense of moral rules. But certain patterns naturally emerge from liberation. The conduct isn't prescribed behavior but spontaneous expression of transcendence. Krishna will describe what naturally occurs, not what must be enforced."
Sadhak: "And the 'how' question - that's what I most want to know."
Guru: "Everyone does. But notice: Krishna has been teaching the 'how' all along. Every chapter has offered methods. Arjuna's question allows Krishna to synthesize: given all that's been taught, what's the essential practice for transcending the gunas? The answer may surprise you."
Sadhak: "Will Krishna answer all three questions?"
Guru: "Yes. The next five verses address signs and conduct together, and the final verses address the 'how.' Pay close attention - these are among the most practically useful verses in the entire Gita."
Did this resonate with you? Share it with someone who needs to hear this.
🌅 Daily Practice
Ask yourself Arjuna's questions: What signs would I show if I transcended the gunas today? How would my conduct change? What practices might help me transcend? These questions orient the day toward liberation.
Observe your conduct. Is it guna-driven (seeking pleasure, avoiding pain, managing energy) or showing hints of transcendence (equanimity in ups and downs, appropriate action without attachment)? Notice without judgment - just data collection.
Reflect: were there moments today that hinted at guna-transcendence? Moments of choiceless awareness, action without doership, equanimity despite circumstances? These hints are the seeds of liberation. Notice them, appreciate them, let them grow.