14.22 - Bhagavad Gita - Chapter 14, Verse 22

In Bhagavad Gita 14.22, Lord Krishna continues His explanation to Arjuna about the characteristics of a person who has transcended the three gunas (modes of material nature). This verse marks a significant transition in the discourse as Krishna begins to describe the traits of one who has risen above the influence of sattva (goodness), rajas (passion), and tamas (ignorance).

The verse begins with Krishna addressing Arjuna as "Paandava" (son of Pandu), saying that a person who has transcended the gunas neither hates these qualities when they manifest nor yearns for them when they are absent. This equanimity is a critical characteristic of spiritual advancement. The Sanskrit terms used are significant: "prakaasham" refers to light or illumination (associated with sattva), "pravrittim" indicates activity or action (associated with rajas), and "moham" represents delusion or confusion (associated with tamas).

This teaching reveals a profound understanding of human psychology. Most people develop attachments to certain states of mind – craving clarity and wisdom when in darkness, or missing peace when caught in frantic activity. But Krishna describes a person who has developed complete inner neutrality toward these fluctuations. Unlike ordinary individuals who identify with their mental states, the transcendentally situated person maintains the position of a witness, observing these qualities without becoming entangled in them.

The Jnaneshwari commentary elaborates on this, explaining that such a person doesn't feel elated when knowledge illuminates their consciousness through sattva, nor do they become absorbed in activism when rajas dominates, nor do they become disturbed when tamas brings confusion. The commentary uses beautiful analogies: just as the Sun takes no account of the changing times of day, just as the ocean doesn't need rainwater to form tides, and just as fire cannot be scalded by summer heat, the transcendentally situated person remains unaffected by the gunas.

This doesn't mean becoming numb or unresponsive. Rather, it points to a heightened awareness where one can distinguish between the temporary fluctuations of nature and one's eternal spiritual identity. In the commentary, it's described as being "situated detached" (udāsīna-vad āsīno), similar to how the Supersoul remains detached while witnessing all activities. The soul, likewise, can attain this state of enlightened detachment.

Krishna is teaching Arjuna about the art of inner observation. Just as we observe the outer world, we must develop the capacity to observe our inner world – our thoughts, emotions, and mental tendencies – without being swayed by them. This practice of self-observation without self-identification is fundamental to spiritual growth. It allows one to recognize that these qualities belong to prakṛti (material nature) rather than to the authentic self.

Ultimately, this verse points to freedom from the tyranny of our own mental states. Most people live at the mercy of their fluctuating moods and thoughts, believing "I am happy" or "I am angry" rather than seeing these as temporary conditions passing through consciousness. The truly liberated soul understands that they are the witness of these states, not the states themselves. Like someone sitting on the bank watching a river flow by, they observe the movements of the gunas without being carried away by the current. This stable witness-consciousness is what Krishna identifies as the hallmark of one who has transcended the gunas.