Chapter XVIII · Śloka 19
ज्ञानं कर्म च कर्ता च त्रिधैव गुणभेदतः ।
प्रोच्यते गुणसंख्याने यथावच्छृणु तान्यपि ॥
प्रोच्यते गुणसंख्याने यथावच्छृणु तान्यपि ॥
jñānaṃ karma ca kartā ca tridhaiva guṇa-bhedataḥ |
rocyate guṇa-saṃkhyāne yathāvac chṛṇu tāny api ||
rocyate guṇa-saṃkhyāne yathāvac chṛṇu tāny api ||
Knowledge, action, and the agent are each of three kinds according to the distinction of guṇas, as taught in the Sāṅkhya of guṇas — hear them as they are.
Krishna now applies the guṇa analysis systematically to knowledge, action, and agent, which will occupy the next several verses. The triadic framework provides a complete map of human psychology and behavior.