Shloka 5
गुणप्रवृत्त्या भूतानां प्रवृत्तिः कर्मचोदिता प्रवर्तन्ते गुणाश् चैते किं ममेति त्वयोदितम्
guṇapravṛttyā bhūtānāṃ pravṛttiḥ karmacoditā pravartante guṇāś caite kiṃ mameti tvayoditam
By the stirring of the guṇas, the activity of beings is set in motion, driven by karma. The guṇas themselves revolve in their own course; tell me then—what is this notion of “mine” you have spoken of?
Sage Parāśara (addressing Maitreya in philosophical instruction)
Speaker: Parasara
Topic: Deconstruction of ‘mine’ (mamatā) in light of guṇas and karma-driven activity
Teaching: Philosophical
Quality: analytical
Concept: Agency and possessiveness are misreadings of guṇa-driven activity propelled by karma, so ‘mine’ lacks ultimate grounding.
Vedantic Theme: Maya
Application: Observe impulses and actions as conditioned tendencies; loosen possessive language and practice non-identification in daily choices.
Vishishtadvaita: Individual self is distinct yet dependent; false mamatā arises when the self forgets its śeṣatva (belonging) to the Lord amid guṇa-pravṛtti.
Bhakti Type: Shanta
FAQs
This verse frames all embodied activity as arising from the motion of the guṇas, showing that worldly behavior is a product of prakṛti’s qualities rather than an independent, sovereign ego.
He states that beings act because karma impels them, while the guṇas continue their operations—implying that action is conditioned and patterned, not merely a free personal choice.
By undermining “I” and “mine” as products of guṇa-driven conditioning, the teaching prepares the ground for recognizing a higher, governing Reality—Vishnu—as the supreme sustainer beyond prakṛti and egoic appropriation.