Knowledge, greed, confusion

sattvātsañjāyate jñānaṃ rajaso lobha eva capramādamohau tamaso bhavato’ajñānameva ca

From clarity comes knowledge. From restlessness, greed. From heaviness, carelessness, confusion and ignorance.

What it means

Krishna names what each guna produces. Sattva, clarity, gives rise to jnana, knowledge and understanding. Rajas, restlessness, gives rise to lobha, greed, always wanting more. Tamas, heaviness, gives rise to carelessness, confusion and not-knowing. Your inner state is a factory for certain thoughts.

The story

Arjuna's confusion in chapter one came from tamas. His growing understanding now comes from sattva. He can feel the difference in himself.

In your life

Think of trying to make a big decision while exhausted. Everything looks worse. Sleep on it, eat something, take a walk. Then decide. Big decisions deserve a clear mind.