BHAGVAD GITA

Knowledge, the knower and the object of knowledge, these are the three incentives to
action; and the act, the actor and the instrument are the threefold constituents.


The knowledge, the act and the doer differ according to the Qualities. Listen to this too:


That knowledge which sees the One Indestructible in all beings, the One Indivisible in all
separate lives, may be truly called Pure Knowledge.


The knowledge which thinks of the manifold existence in all beings as separate – that
comes from Passion.


But that which clings blindly to one idea as if it were all, without logic, truth or insight,
that has its origin in Darkness.


An obligatory action done by one who is disinterested, who neither likes nor dislikes it,
and gives no thought to the consequences that follow, such an action is Pure.


But even though an action involve the most strenuous endeavour, yet if the doer is seeking
to gratify his desires, and is filled with personal vanity, it may be assumed to originate in
Passion.


An action undertaken through delusion, and with no regard to the spiritual issues
involved, or the real capacity of the doer, or to the injury which may follow, such an act
may be assumed to be the product of Ignorance.


But when a man has no sentiment and no personal vanity, when he possesses courage and
confidence, cares not whether he succeeds or fails, then his action arises from Purity.


In him who is impulsive, greedy, looking for reward, violent, impure, torn between joy
and sorrow,it may be assumed that in him Passion is predominant.


While he whose purpose is infirm, who is low-minded, stubborn, dishonest, malicious,
indolent, despondent, procrastinating – he may be assumed to be in Darkness.


Reason and conviction are threefold, according to the Quality which is dominant. I will
explain them fully and severally, O Arjuna!