SANKARASRAMAM
Translation:
The Vedas deal mainly with the subject of the three modes of material nature. O Arjuna, become transcendental to these three modes. Be free from all dualities and from all anxieties for gain and safety, and be established in the self.
Explanation:
Arjuna had previously (in 1.41) raised the argument that of the sinful reaction to one who destroys the family traditions like offering oblations to the departed ancestors (pinda-dana). These processes are recommended in the karma-kanda portion of the Vedas that deal with material happiness. Krishna now urges Arjuna to rise above the performance of these karma-kanda rituals that are limited to the material modes.
This is the first time that Krishna introduces the concept of the modes of material nature - a subject that He talks about in great details in the last six chapters of the Gita. The three modes of material nature namely goodness (satto guna), passion (rajo guna) and ignorance (tamo guna) are like the three ropes that bind the soul to the material world. The reason the Vedas and Krishna dwell on them in such great details is that only by understanding the nature of the entanglement can one hope to become free from it. However in the minds of many people, this focus in mis-interpreted as acceptance or even glorification of these modes. In this verse Krishna explicitly debunks that myth. He urges Arjuna to transcend the bindings of the modes.
In the later part of the verse Krishna gives a glimpse of the symptoms of one who has transcended the modes. One becomes free from dualities like happiness and distress, gain and loss, safety and fear, respect and disrespect (nirdvando) and remains in the association of the devotees (nitya sattva). One when is "fixed in the self" it implies that one is with fixed intelligence (buddhi yoga), the same concept spoken by Krishna in 2.41 when He says, "Those who are on this path are resolute in purpose, and their aim is one."
Srila Prabhupada summarizes this as follows, "As long as the material body exists, there are actions and reactions in the material modes. One has to learn tolerance in the face of dualities such as happiness and distress, or cold and warmth, and by tolerating such dualities become free from anxieties regarding gain and loss. This transcendental position is achieved in full Krishna consciousness when one is fully dependent on the good will of Krishna."
| Chapter 2: Contents of the Gita Summarized |
| Verse: 45 trai-gunya-vishaya veda nistrai-gunyo bhavarjuna nirdvandvo nitya-sattva-stho niryoga-kshema atmavan |
Translation:
The Vedas deal mainly with the subject of the three modes of material nature. O Arjuna, become transcendental to these three modes. Be free from all dualities and from all anxieties for gain and safety, and be established in the self.
Explanation:
Arjuna had previously (in 1.41) raised the argument that of the sinful reaction to one who destroys the family traditions like offering oblations to the departed ancestors (pinda-dana). These processes are recommended in the karma-kanda portion of the Vedas that deal with material happiness. Krishna now urges Arjuna to rise above the performance of these karma-kanda rituals that are limited to the material modes.
This is the first time that Krishna introduces the concept of the modes of material nature - a subject that He talks about in great details in the last six chapters of the Gita. The three modes of material nature namely goodness (satto guna), passion (rajo guna) and ignorance (tamo guna) are like the three ropes that bind the soul to the material world. The reason the Vedas and Krishna dwell on them in such great details is that only by understanding the nature of the entanglement can one hope to become free from it. However in the minds of many people, this focus in mis-interpreted as acceptance or even glorification of these modes. In this verse Krishna explicitly debunks that myth. He urges Arjuna to transcend the bindings of the modes.
In the later part of the verse Krishna gives a glimpse of the symptoms of one who has transcended the modes. One becomes free from dualities like happiness and distress, gain and loss, safety and fear, respect and disrespect (nirdvando) and remains in the association of the devotees (nitya sattva). One when is "fixed in the self" it implies that one is with fixed intelligence (buddhi yoga), the same concept spoken by Krishna in 2.41 when He says, "Those who are on this path are resolute in purpose, and their aim is one."
Srila Prabhupada summarizes this as follows, "As long as the material body exists, there are actions and reactions in the material modes. One has to learn tolerance in the face of dualities such as happiness and distress, or cold and warmth, and by tolerating such dualities become free from anxieties regarding gain and loss. This transcendental position is achieved in full Krishna consciousness when one is fully dependent on the good will of Krishna."
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