Word meanings
- jñānam
- knowledge
- karma
- action
- ca
- and
- kartā
- doer
- ca
- also
- tridhā
- of three kinds
- eva
- certainly
- guṇa-bhedataḥ
- distinguished according to the three modes of material nature
- procyate
- are declared
- guṇa-saṅkhyāne
- Sānkhya philosophy, which describes the modes of material nature
- yathā-vat
- as they are
- śṛṇu
- listen
- tāni
- them
- api
- also
Translations
Knowledge, action, and actor are declared in the science of the Gunas (Sankhya philosophy) to be of three kinds only, according to the distinction of the Gunas. Of these, hear duly.
The knowledge, the action, and the doer differ according to their qualities. Listen to this as well.
Knowledge, action, and agent are stated in the teaching about the gunas to be only of three kinds, according to the differences of the gunas. Hear about them also as they are.
गुणसंख्यान (गुणोंके सम्बन्धसे प्रत्येक पदार्थके भिन्न-भिन्न भेदोंकी गणना करनेवाले) शास्त्रमें गुणोंके भेदसे ज्ञान और कर्म तथा कर्ता तीन-तीन प्रकारसे ही कहे जाते हैं, उनको भी तुम यथार्थरूपसे सुनो।Commentary
The three alities overpower the whole of creation with their special nature and bring it entirely under their control. The nature of action, the actor and his knowledge are threefold according to the Gunas that is predominant. If all the three are Sattvic, then the action will not bind the man. Karta The doer of the actions. The science of the Gunas here referred to is Kapilas system of philosophy. Though the Sankhya system is opposed to Vedanta with reference to the Supreme Truth, viz., the oneness or nonduality of Brahman, yet it is an authority on the science of the Gunas.I shall describe knowledge, action and actor, as also their various distinctions caused by different Gunas, scientifically and rationally.
Hear My teachings? O Arjuna, with rapt attention. You will be immensely benefited.