(Image Courtesy Mahanidhiswami)

Having knowledge About Three Gunas and Karma Helps us Stay Unattached

तत्त्ववित्तु महाबाहो गुणकर्मविभागयो: |
गुणा गुणेषु वर्तन्त इति मत्वा न सज्जते || 3.28||

tattva-vit tu mahā-bāho guṇa-karma-vibhāgayoḥ
guṇā guṇeṣhu vartanta iti matvā na sajjate || 3.28||

Shloka Translation
BG – Ch. 3- Ver. 28:

Illuminated people separate the soul from gunas and karmas, O mighty-armed Arjun. They understand that only the gunas move among the gunas, and hence they do not become entangled in them.

Explanation

If one understands that he is not the one who makes things happen, he will not become addicted to anything in this life. He becomes a witness, in the same way, that someone watching a play does not become attached to one actor over another. This instruction has the effect of reducing our ego when we meditate on it. When this happens, it humbles us and minimizes a variety of bad feelings such as fear, rage, stress, and so on.

The Truth-seekers have thereby eradicated the ego, are free of bodily identifications and can detect their spiritual identity separate from their physical bodies. As a result, they are not fooled into believing that they are the ones who carry out their material acts; instead, they attribute all activity to the motions of the three gunas.

Vasana is a natural inclination that develops as thought in the mind, desire in the heart, and action in the body. Changing one’s vasanas is difficult. Vasana can be classified into three categories: sattva (purity), rajas (passion) and tamas (apathy). The thinking, desire, action, and external situation will all be influenced by the vasana.

Atman, stays unharmed. The sakshi witness, Atman is merely a facilitator for the entire procedure. A person who comprehends this does not become attached. While interacting with the environment, his emphasis is on Atman. Ignorant people become involved, are affected, and suffer as a result.

Verse & what we can learn

One who knows the nature of gunas (Sattva, rajas and tamas) and karma stays unattached.

 Bhagavad Gita, enlightens us on these three Gunas – sattva, rajas and tamas personality, and are entirely different. These are the three gunas of maya, rajo guna charecteristics are different and as we move ahead to further shlokas we will know more in-depth about these.

Bhagavad Gita gives us knowledge and makes us aware of reality and enlightens us to stay unattached, and to follow and live accordingly, meditation helps us.

There are various types of meditation like Buddhist meditation, heartfulness meditation, mindfulness meditation, meditation for stress, and each meditation benefits are countless. There are also numerous meditation techniques for beginners which help in practicing daily meditation so go ahead and start your journey towards a peaceful and balanced life.

In the Next verse, Shri Krishna tells Arjuna more in depth about this subject.

Let’s learn to live with “The Gita” via Meditation Affinity…