Bhagavad Gita BG 3.28
Chapter 3, Verse 28 — Meaning, Translation & Explanation
तत्त्ववित्तु महाबाहो गुणकर्मविभागयोः । गुणा गुणेषु वर्तन्त इति मत्वा न सज्जते ॥ २८ ॥
tattva-vit tu mahā-bāho guṇa-karma-vibhāgayoḥ guṇā guṇeṣu vartanta iti matvā na sajjate
Meaning
But the knower of the truth, O mighty-armed, understanding the distinction between the gunas and actions, knows that the gunas simply act among gunas — and so does not become attached.
Understanding
This is the liberating counterpart to v27. The tattva-vit (knower of truth) understands guṇa-karma-vibhāga — the distinction between what the gunas are and what 'actions' appear to be. The phrase 'guṇā guṇeṣu vartante' is a profound formulation: the gunas act among (or upon) gunas. In other words, the forces of nature interact with themselves — sattva, rajas, and tamas are themselves objects of the other gunas. This constant self-play of nature happens entirely without the involvement of the true Self (ātman). The one who sees this clearly 'na sajjate' — does not attach. They act, but without the ego's claim of doership.
Word by Word
| Word | IAST | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| तत्त्ववित् | tattva-vit | knower of the truth / one who understands reality |
| गुणकर्मविभाग | guṇa-karma-vibhāga | the distinction between gunas and actions |
| गुणा गुणेषु | guṇā guṇeṣu | the gunas act among/upon gunas |
| वर्तन्ते | vartante | act / move / are engaged |
| न सज्जते | na sajjate | does not attach / does not become entangled |
| तु | tu | but / however (contrast with deluded) |
| महाबाहो | mahā-bāho | O mighty-armed (Arjuna) |
| इति | iti | thus / thinking this way |
| मत्वा | matvā | having known / understanding this |