Chapter 2, Verse 45
त्रैगुण्यविषया वेदा निस्त्रैगुण्यो भवार्जुन। निर्द्वन्द्वो नित्यसत्त्वस्थो निर्योगक्षेम आत्मवान्।।2.45।।
traiguṇyaviṣayā vedā nistraiguṇyo bhavārjuna। nirdvandvo nityasattvastho niryogakṣema ātmavān।।2.45।।
Word by word
- त्रैगुण्यविषयाः
- concerned with the three gunas (modes of nature)
- वेदाः
- the Vedas
- निस्त्रैगुण्यः
- free from the three gunas / transcending the three modes
- भव
- be (imperative)
- अर्जुन
- O Arjuna
- निर्द्वन्द्वः
- free from the pairs of opposites (like pleasure-pain)
- नित्यसत्त्वस्थः
- ever established in pure being/truth (or constant purity)
- निर्योगक्षेमः
- free from concern for acquisition and preservation
- आत्मवान्
- self-possessed, established in the Self
Commentary
The Vedas treat of the triad of the gunas; samsara, which is made up of virtuous, sinful, and mixed deeds and their results all brought about by the interaction of the gunas, is their subject. You, on the other hand, had better be free from the triad of the gunas, i.e., be without desires. Be free from pairs (dvandvas), from all mutually opposed objects which are the causes of pleasure and pain. Take your stand ever in the Sattva; practise purity. To him who is anxious to acquire what has not been acquired and to preserve what has been already acquired, practice of virtue is impossible; wherefore be not anxious about new acquisitions or about the preservation of the old ones. Be also self-possessed: be guarded. This is the advice you have to follow when engaged in the performance of duty.
Source: Alladi Mahadeva Sastri, The Bhagavad-Gita with the Commentary of Sri Shankaracharya (1897), public domain
Verse Builder
Tap each meaning in order to match its Sanskrit word.
Sanskrit (in order)
- त्रैगुण्यविषयाः
- वेदाः
- निस्त्रैगुण्यः
- भव
- अर्जुन
- निर्द्वन्द्वः
- नित्यसत्त्वस्थः
- निर्योगक्षेमः
- आत्मवान्
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