Bhagavad Gita BG 14.11
Chapter 14, Verse 11 — Meaning, Translation & Explanation
सर्वद्वारेषु देहेऽस्मिन् प्रकाश उपजायते । ज्ञानं यदा तदा विद्याद्विवृद्धं सत्त्वमित्युत ॥
sarva-dvAreshu dehe 'smin prakasha upajayate jnanam yada tada vidyad vivrddham sattvam ity uta
Meaning
When light/illumination arises through all the gates of this body — then one should know that sattva is flourishing.
Understanding
The practical sign of sattva predominating: sarva-dvAreshu dehe (through all the gates/openings of the body — the sense organs). Prakasha upajayate (light/clarity arises). Jnanam (and knowledge). When all the sense-gates are characterized by clarity and knowledge rather than agitation or dullness — sattva is vivrddhAm (flourishing/increased). This is how one recognizes which guna is predominant in a given moment. Clarity and illumination through all senses and the mind = sattva.
Word by Word
| Word | IAST | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| सर्वद्वारेषु | sarva-dvAreshu | through all doors/gates (sense organs) |
| प्रकाशः | prakashuh | light, clarity, illumination |
| उपजायते | upajayate | arises, is born, appears |
| विवृद्धम् | vivrddham | flourishing, increased, dominant |
| सर्व-द्वारेषु | sarva-dvāreṣu | through all the gates |
| देहे | dehe asmin | in this body |
| प्रकाशः | prakāśaḥ | light, illumination |
| उपजायते | upajāyate | manifests, appears |
| ज्ञानम् | jñānam | knowledge |
| यदा | yadā tadā | when then |
| विद्यात् | vidyāt | one should know |
| विवृद्धम् | vivṛddham | increased, manifested |
| सत्त्वम् | sattvam | goodness |
| इति | iti | thus |
| उत | uta | indeed |