Know thou Rajas to be of the nature of passion, the source of thirst (for sensual
enjoyment) and attachment; it binds fast, O Arjuna, the embodied one by attachment to action!
But know thou Tamas to be born of ignorance, deluding all embodied beings; it binds fast,
O Arjuna, by heedlessness, sleep and indolence!
Sattwa attaches to happiness, Rajas to action, O Arjuna, while Tamas, shrouding
knowledge, attaches to heedlessness only!
Now Sattwa prevails, O Arjuna, having overpowered Rajas and Tamas; now Rajas,
having overpowered Sattwa and Tamas; and now Tamas, having overpowered Sattwa and Rajas!
When, through every gate (sense) in this body, the wisdom-light shines, then it may be
known that Sattwa is predominant.
Greed, activity, the undertaking of actions, restlessness, longing—these arise when
Rajas is predominant, O Arjuna!
Darkness, inertness, heedlessness and delusion—these arise when Tamas is
predominant, O Arjuna!