Chapter 14: Three Modes of Natureगुणत्रयविभागयोग
14:5
“Sattva, rajas, and tamas—these qualities born of nature bind the imperishable soul to the body, O mighty-armed one.”
Sanskrit
सत्त्वं रजस्तम इति गुणाः प्रकृतिसम्भवाः | निबध्नन्ति महाबाहो देहे देहिनमव्ययम् ||
Transliteration
sattvaṁ rajas tama iti guṇāḥ prakṛti-sambhavāḥ nibadhnanti mahā-bāho dehe dehinam avyayam
Commentary
The three gunas (goodness, passion, ignorance) are the binding forces of nature. Though the soul is eternal and unchanging, identification with these modes creates bondage in the material world.
Chapter 14
Three Modes of Nature