ज्ञानं ज्ञेयं परिज्ञाता त्रिविधा कर्मचोदना।करणं कर्म कर्तेति त्रिविधः कर्मसंग्रहः।।18.18।।
ज्ञानं कर्म च कर्ता च त्रिधैव गुणभेदतः।प्रोच्यते गुणसंख्याने यथावच्छृणु तान्यपि।।18.19।।
सर्वभूतेषु येनैकं भावमव्ययमीक्षते।अविभक्तं विभक्तेषु तज्ज्ञानं विद्धि सात्त्विकम्।।18.20।।
पृथक्त्वेन तु यज्ज्ञानं नानाभावान्पृथग्विधान्।वेत्ति सर्वेषु भूतेषु तज्ज्ञानं विद्धि राजसम्।।18.21।।
यत्तु कृत्स्नवदेकस्मिन्कार्ये सक्तमहैतुकम्।अतत्त्वार्थवदल्पं च तत्तामसमुदाहृतम्।।18.22।।
Knowledge, the object of knowledge, and the knower—these are the threefold inducements to action. The comprehension of actions comes under three heads: the instruments, the object, and the subject.
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.
Know that knowledge to originate from sattva, through which one sees a single, undecaying, undivided entity in all the diversified things.
But know that knowledge to originate from rajas, which amidst all things apprehends the different entities of various kinds as distinct [as possessing distinct selves].
But that (knowledge) is said to be born of tamas which is confined to one form as if it were all, which is irrational, unconcerned with truth, and trivial.
Osho’s Commentary
Krishna now dissects the anatomy of action and knowing. He says knowledge, the known, and the knower are the impulse. And the instrument, the action, and the agent are the basis. And all these three—knowledge, action, and the agent—are themselves of three kinds, colored by the three gunas. Sattvic knowledge is to see the One in the many. To look at this diverse, divided world and to perceive the one, undivided, imperishable reality shining through all forms. Rajasic knowledge is to see only the many, the separateness. To see the world as a collection of disconnected fragments, and to live in a state of conflict and competition. And tamasic knowledge is to cling to one small part as if it were the whole. It is the vision of a fanatic, a bigot, who thinks his small, partial truth is the total truth. It is an irrational, narrow, and trivial vision. Look at your own knowing, my friend. Is it a vision of unity? Of diversity? Or of a narrow, fanatical clinging? In your knowing, you will find the quality of your being.