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Bhagavad-gītā 14.11

सर्वद्वारेषु देहेऽस्मिन्प्रकाश उपजायते । ज्ञानं यदा तदा विद्याद्विवृद्धं सत्त्वमित्युत ॥ ११ ॥
sarva-dvāreṣu dehe ’smin
[sarva-dvaareshu dehe ’smin]
prakāśa upajāyate
[prakaasha upajaayate]
jñānaṁ yadā tadā vidyād
[jnaanam yadaa tadaa vidyaad]
vivṛddhaṁ sattvam ity uta
[vivriddham sattvam ity uta]
Word-for-word
sarva - dvāreṣu — in all the gates dehe asmin — in this body prakāśaḥ — the quality of illumination upajāyate — develops jñānam — knowledge yadā — when tadā — at that time vidyāt — know vivṛddham — increased sattvam — the mode of goodness iti uta — thus it is said .
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
sarva-dvāreṣu dehe ’smin
sarva - dvāreṣu
in all the gates
dehe asmin
in this body
prakāśa upajāyate
prakāśaḥ
the quality of illumination
upajāyate
develops
jñānaṁ yadā tadā vidyād
jñānam
knowledge
yadā
when
tadā
at that time
vidyāt
know
vivṛddhaṁ sattvam ity uta
vivṛddham
increased
sattvam
the mode of goodness
iti uta
thus it is said .
Important Words
  • sarva-dvāreṣu — in all the gates
    Dvāra — gate. The body's gates are the senses (and according to commentators the nine apertures plus the mind). 'All' is the operative word: partial illumination is not the sign. Sattva either lights every gate or it is not yet sattva, only a partial taste.
  • prakāśaḥ — illumination
    Prakāśa is the diagnostic. Not pleasure, not productivity, not even peace alone — but light. The room becomes legible. Compare with tamas's aprakāśaḥ in verse 13: the same axis, opposite poles.
  • jñānam — knowledge
    Knowledge co-arises with illumination — not after it, not as its product, but as its very content. Sattva and jñāna are not two events; they are one. This is also why sattvic discipline tends to clarify rather than to merely calm.
  • vivṛddham — increased, developed
    Vi-vṛdh — fully grown. Sattva must mature; the early stages still leave gates unlit. The mature form, the full state, is what the verse describes. Aim for vivṛddha, not just vṛddha.
The manifestation of the mode of goodness can be experienced when all the gates of the body are illuminated by knowledge.
Classical Sanskrit analysis शास्त्रीय विश्लेषण
How Sanskrit scholars read this verse — split, rearranged, grammar-tagged. For the plain English distilled meaning, jump to Plain meaning below.
Auto-generated study layers — original analysis of the public-domain śloka. Review against a published edition for academic work.
Plain meaning (तात्पर्य · Tātparya)
Diagnostic sign of dominant sattva: every gate of the body — eyes, ears, mind — opens onto clarity and right understanding. When perception is luminous and discrimination is alive, sattva is in command.
Further notes (विवरण · Vivaraṇa)
First of three symptom-verses (14.11–13), one per guṇa. 'Sarva-dvāreṣu' alludes to the nine gates of the body (BG 5.13) — sense apertures as portals through which prakṛti-tinged cognition flows. Under sattva they transmit prakāśa (clear light); under tamas they will dim. The optative 'vidyāt' makes this a practical self-test for the sādhaka, not just a metaphysical claim.
Prose order (अन्वय · Anvaya)
यदा अस्मिन् देहे सर्व-द्वारेषु प्रकाशः ज्ञानम् च उपजायते, तदा सत्त्वं विवृद्धम् इति विद्यात् ।
yadā asmin dehe sarva-dvāreṣu prakāśaḥ jñānam ca upajāyate, tadā sattvaṃ vivṛddham iti vidyāt |
When in this body illumination (and) knowledge arise at all the gates (senses), one should then know that sattva has grown strong.
Word split (पदच्छेद · Padaccheda)
सर्व-द्वारेषु देहे अस्मिन् प्रकाशः उपजायते । ज्ञानं यदा तदा विद्यात् विवृद्धं सत्त्वम् इति उत ॥
sarva-dvāreṣu dehe asmin prakāśaḥ upajāyate | jñānaṃ yadā tadā vidyāt vivṛddhaṃ sattvam iti uta ||
Grammar (व्याकरण · Vyākaraṇa)
SanskritIASTGrammarMeaning
सर्व-द्वारेषु sarva-dvāreṣu सर्व (adj.) + द्वार (n.) loc.pl. (locative plural), karmadhāraya cpd. (compound), 'in all the gates (senses)' at all the gates
देहे dehe देह (m./n.) loc.sg. (locative singular), 'in the body' in the body
अस्मिन् asmin dem. (demonstrative) pron. (pronoun) loc.sg. (locative singular), 'in this' in this
प्रकाशः prakāśaḥ प्रकाश (m.) nom.sg. (nominative singular), 'illumination, clarity' illumination
उपजायते upajāyate उप+√जन् pres. (present) 3sg.ātm. (ātmanepada / middle voice), 'arises' arises
ज्ञानम् jñānam ज्ञान (n.) nom.sg. (nominative singular), 'knowledge' knowledge
यदा yadā ind. (indeclinable), 'when' when
तदा tadā ind. (indeclinable), 'then' then
विद्यात् vidyāt √विद् opt. (optative) 3sg.par. (parasmaipada / active voice), 'one should know' one should know
विवृद्धम् vivṛddham वि+√वृध् p.p.p. (past passive participle) acc.sg. (accusative singular)n., 'fully grown, strong' grown strong
सत्त्वम् sattvam सत्त्व (n.) acc.sg. (accusative singular), 'sattva' sattva
इति iti ind. (indeclinable), quotative thus
उत uta ind. (indeclinable), emphatic, 'indeed' indeed
Purport

There are nine gates in the body: two eyes, two ears, two nostrils, the mouth, the genitals and the anus. When every gate is illuminated by the symptoms of goodness, it should be understood that one has developed the mode of goodness. In the mode of goodness, one can see things in the right position, one can hear things in the right position, and one can taste things in the right position. One becomes cleansed inside and outside. In every gate there is development of the symptoms of happiness, and that is the position of goodness.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
11. When illumination in the form of knowledge arises in all gates of the body, know that sattva has increased.
Commentary

It has been stated that the prominent guṇa appears when the other two guṇas become weak of their own accord. Now the Lord speaks of the qualities of increased guṇas in three verses. When illumination or knowledge, real awareness of things through the sound of the Vedas, appears in all the doors such as the ears, one should understand there is an increase in sattva through such symptoms of knowledge. The word uta (also) indicates there will also be an appearance of happiness arising from the soul. When knowledge and happiness appear, one should understand there is an increase in sattva.

Baladeva Vidyābhūṣaṇa Gauḍīya
Translation
11. When knowledge (and happiness as well) arise in all doors of knowledge, in all the senses, know that sattva has increased in the body.
Commentary

Three verses speak of the characteristics when each of the guṇas becomes prominent. When knowledge appears in the form of revealing sense objects such as sound as they actually are, through the knowledge gathering senses, such as the ear (jṇāna dvāreṣu), then, by this characteristic, knowledge, one should know there is an increase in sattva in the body. The word uta means “also.” One should know there is an increase in sattva also by the characteristic of happiness (tranquility).

Study Notes — Gauranga Priya Dāsa
Gauranga Priya Dāsa Study
Bhakti-śāstrī Notes, ISKCON Chowpatty (2009)
Theme

COMMON THEME: Symptoms of three modes – These verses explain how the effects of the three modes of

material nature, as explained in Texts 14.6 – 14.8, are manifested externally

Focus of Learning

Certain concepts are defined below:

(a) “All gates illuminated by knowledge” (14.11) – Implies

Perception by the senses based on knowledge, in the right position
Clean inside and out

(b) Darkness and inertia implies (14.13)

Not works according to regulative principles
Works whimsically for no purpose

(c) Illusion – Even though he has the capacity to work, he does not endeavor (14.13)

(a) Modes struggle to dominate each other

If one is actually intent on advancing in Krishna consciousness, one has to transcend the mode
“Vasudeva state” – State of pure goodness where one can understand the science of God

(b) How to identify the modes – Depending on the characteristics mentioned in 14.11 – 14.13

Classical Ācāryas
Śrī Śaṅkarācārya Classical
Translation
14.11 Yada, when; prakasah, the illumination-prakasa, illumination, is a function of the internal organ, intelligence; that itself is jnanam, knowledge; when this illumination called knowledge upajayate, radiates; asmin, in this; dehe, body; sarva-dvaresu, through all the doors-all the sense organs, (viz) ear etc., are the Self's doors of perception; through all those doors; tada, then; through this indication, viz the illumination that is knowledge, vidyat, one should know; iti, that; sattva has vivrddham, increased; uta, greatly [See A.G.-Tr.]. This is the characteristics of rajas when it has become prominent:
Śrī Rāmānujācārya Classical
Translation
14.11 When the light of knowledge shines revealing the truth of things emerging through all the gateways of knowledge such as the eyes etc., in the body, one should know that Sattva is prevailing.
Śrī Abhinavagupta Classical
Translation
14.11 See Comment under 14.13
Swami Sivananda Classical
Translation
14.11 When through every gate (sense) in this body, the wisdom-light shines, then it may be known that Sattva is predominant.
Commentary

14.11 सर्वद्वारेषु through every gate (sense)? देहे in the body? अस्मिन् in this? प्रकाशः wisdomlight? उपजायते shines? ज्ञानम् knowledge? यदा when? तदा then? विद्यात् (it) may be known? विवृद्धम् (is) predominant? सत्त्वम्,Sattva? इति thus? उत indeed.Commentary When a particular ality becomes predominant? it reveals its distinctive characteristics in man. Just as jasmine scatters its fragrance far and wide? so also knowledge disseminates itself in all directions. Convert Tamas into Rajas and Rajas into Sattva. Now stand firm in Sattva. You will get increase of light? purity? peace and harmony. Sattva will lead you upwards. You will have an upward pull towards the Supreme Light. Sattvic diet? Japa? meditation? study of holy scriptures? living in seclusion? company of holy men? singing His Names and glories? and regulation of breath (Pranayama) will increase Sattva.Introspect. Look within. Watch the Gunas carefully. Be vigilant. Stand as a doorkeeper. Allow only Sattvic thoughts to pass through the door of the mental factory. Check Rajas. Curb Tamas. When Sattva predominates there is unruffled peace of mind? inner harmony? perfect serenity and tranillity. There is clarity or clear vision also. The understanding is not clouded. There is penetrative insight. The door or threshold of intuition is wide open. The senses will not run towards external objects.The senses are the avenues of senseknowledge. They are the gateways of perception for the Self. When light shines in all the gates of the body? such as the eyes? the ears? etc. (in other words when there is the manifestation of the BuddhiVritti of the Antahkarana)? then knowledge arises. You can understand by the mark of knowledge that Sattva is predominant. You can also know that Sattva is increasing by the mark of happiness. Just as the aspirant knows that Sattva is predominant in him by the marks of knowledge and happiness? so also he knows by the mark of knowledge that Rajas and Tamas are gradually decreasing.The ears shun whatever is improper to be heard. The eyes abandon what they should not look at. The tongue avoids to speak anything that is not right to speak of. The mind is not attracted by the sensual objects. Purity thus increases gradually by Japa? meditation? and selfrestraint. If there is increase of Sattva or harmony? there is also increase of knowledge. Sattva is the only sure means for the attainment of the knowledge of the Self. It lays the foundation of knowledge.

Swami Gambhīrānanda Classical
Translation
14.11 When the illumination that is knowledge radiates in this body through all the doors (of the senses), then one should know that sattva has increased greatly.
Shri Purohit Swami Classical
Translation
14.11 When the light of knowledge gleams forth from all the gates of the body, then be sure that Purity prevails.
Related values & verses
Related values
Atma Nigraha (Self-control)Daksya (Resourcefulness / Skill)Abhaya (Fearlessness)Vairagya (Detachment / Dispassion)
Related verses
BG 5.16 BG 10.11 BG 13.12 SB 11.25.13 SB 1.2.19 SB 3.26.21 CC Madhya 22.100 CC Ādi 7.119 CC Madhya 20.141 Kaṭha Upaniṣad 1.3.12Śvetāśvatara Upaniṣad 2.15
Related lectures
Personal Guidance
When sattva manifests, light and clarity pervade — knowledge develops; the gates of the body shine with illumination.
Practical Applications
  • Recognize the felt-sense of sattva: lightness, clarity, energy.
  • Cultivate conditions that reproduce that felt-sense.
  • Use it as a benchmark for self-evaluation.
Reflection Questions
  • When did I last feel sattvic clarity?
  • What conditions made it possible?
Analogy

A house with nine windows thrown open at dawn — every room floods with light at once. Sattva is the dawn coming through every gate of the body: eyes see clearly, ears hear truly, the mind tracks reality without distortion.

Stories
Vidura's gatehouse counsel

When Dhṛtarāṣṭra's tamasic indecision was poisoning the kingdom, Vidura — uncle, half-brother, advisor — sat in sattva and spoke the clearest counsel of the Mahābhārata. His words to Dhṛtarāṣṭra (preserved as the Vidura-nīti) are the chapter's verse made personal: a man in whom every gate of the body was illuminated, naming what every other gate-darkened man could not.

The palace was the same. The crisis was the same. Vidura's sattva made him capable of telling the truth that nobody else in that room could afford to see.

📝 My note

Source: vedabase.io

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