त्रैगुण्यविषया वेदा निस्त्रैगुण्यो भवार्जुन ।
निर्द्वन्द्वो नित्यसत्त्वस्थो निर्योगक्षेम आत्मवान् ॥ ४५ ॥
trai-guṇya-viṣhayā vedā nistrai-guṇyo bhavārjuna
nirdvandvo nitya-sattva-stho niryoga-kṣhema ātmavān
हे अर्जुन, वेद मुख्य रूप से तीन गुणों के विषय में बात करते हैं। इन तीन गुणों के प्रति आसक्ति को पार करने का प्रयास करो। ऐसा करने से, तुम सभी द्वंद्वों पर विजय प्राप्त कर सकते हो, सत्व की स्थिति को प्राप्त कर सकते हो, लाभ और सुरक्षा की चिंताओं से मुक्त हो सकते हो, और आत्म-श्रेष्ठता को प्राप्त कर सकते हो।
The Vedas primarily address matters related to the three Guṇas, O Arjuna! Strive to transcend attachment to these three Guṇas. By doing so, you can overcome all dualities, be situated in a state of sattva, remain detached from concerns of gain and protection and attain self-mastery.
In Bhagavad Gita 2.45, Lord Krishna addresses Arjuna with profound spiritual guidance, urging him to transcend the mundane considerations that are causing his dilemma on the battlefield. This verse marks a significant shift in Krishna's counsel, elevating the conversation from material considerations to spiritual transcendence.
Krishna explains that the Vedas primarily deal with matters pertaining to the three modes of material nature (trai-guṇya): sattva (goodness), rajas (passion), and tamas (ignorance). While Arjuna was using Vedic injunctions to justify his reluctance to fight, Krishna now encourages him to rise above these limited interpretations and grasp the deeper essence of the Vedic wisdom. The verse reveals that true spiritual understanding transcends the routine mechanical observance of rituals and regulations described in the Vedas.
The instruction "nistrai-guṇyo bhavārjuna" (become transcendental to the three modes) is particularly significant. Krishna is not dismissing the Vedas but rather pointing Arjuna toward their ultimate purpose: self-realization beyond material entanglements. This represents a fundamental principle in Gita philosophy - that ritual observances are stepping stones to higher spiritual understanding, not ends in themselves.
Krishna further advises Arjuna to be "nirdvandvaḥ" - free from dualities. This refers to the pairs of opposites that dominate material existence: joy and sorrow, success and failure, heat and cold, honor and dishonor. These dualities create constant mental disturbance, preventing spiritual clarity. By transcending these opposites, one achieves equanimity - a prerequisite for spiritual advancement. This state allows one to perform duties without being disturbed by the inevitable fluctuations of material life.
The verse also instructs Arjuna to be "nitya-sattva-sthaḥ" - established in pure spiritual existence. This is not merely about cultivating the mode of goodness (sattva) but transcending even that to reach pure spiritual consciousness. When one is firmly established in this understanding of oneself as spiritual (atma), rather than material, one naturally becomes "niryoga-kṣemaḥ" - free from anxieties about gain and protection. This liberation from constant worries about acquiring and preserving material possessions represents true freedom.
The culmination of Krishna's instruction in this verse is becoming "ātmavān" - established in the self. This self-realization is the foundation of all spiritual progress. Krishna is essentially telling Arjuna that before identifying as a warrior, a prince, or even a friend or relative, he must recognize his fundamental identity as an eternal spiritual being. From this enlightened perspective, Arjuna can fulfill his duties without attachment to results, with clarity of purpose, and with inner peace regardless of external circumstances.
In essence, verse 2.45 represents a pivotal moment in the Gita's teachings, where Krishna elevates the discourse from ritualistic adherence to profound spiritual wisdom. He guides Arjuna to move beyond mechanical religiosity toward authentic spiritual realization - a lesson that remains timelessly relevant for all seekers of truth in every age. This verse encapsulates the transformative journey from material entanglement to spiritual freedom that lies at the heart of the Bhagavad Gita's message.
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