Yoga through Understanding the Three Modes of Material Nature
Verse 14.11
सर्वद्वारेषु देहेऽस्मिन्प्रकाश उपजायते।ज्ञानं यदा तदा विद्याद्विवृद्धं सत्त्वमित्युत।।14.11।।
sarva-dvāreṣhu dehe ’smin prakāśha upajāyate jñānaṁ yadā tadā vidyād vivṛiddhaṁ sattvam ity uta
Word Meanings
sarva—all; dvāreṣhu—through the gates; dehe—body; asmin—in this; prakāśhaḥ—illumination; upajāyate—manifest; jñānam—knowledge; yadā—when; tadā—then; vidyāt—know; vivṛiddham—predominates; sattvam—mode of goodness; iti—thus; uta—certainly;
Translation · English
When the wisdom-light shines through every gate of this body, then it may be known that Sattva is predominant.
Deep Meaning · English
In this verse, Bhagavan Krishna provides an empirical diagnostic tool for the seeker to gauge the internal state of their consciousness. The 'gates of the body' refer to the senses—the instruments through which the soul interacts with the external world. When these gates, usually clouded by the agitation of Rajas (passion) or the dullness of Tamas (ignorance), begin to glow with the light of clarity and discernment, it signifies the ascendancy of Sattva-guna. This is not merely intellectual intelligence; it is a profound state of inner radiance where the mind becomes a clean mirror, capable of reflecting the presence of the Atman.
The rise of Sattva is marked by an internal luminosity where the senses become instruments of clarity rather than corridors for distraction, allowing the light of divine knowledge to penetrate the veil of material existence.
Connected Verses
Provides a vital contrast by detailing the fruits of the mode of goodness, emphasizing that knowledge is the natural product of such a state.
This verse describes Sattva as luminous and free from vice, serving as the foundational definition for the clarity mentioned in 14.11.
Connects the concept of individual internal illumination with the cosmic light that illuminates the entire universe.
Illustrates the grace of Krishna in lighting the lamp of knowledge within, which is the ultimate spiritual outcome of a sattvic state.
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