Srimad Bhagavad Gita -Ramanujacharya 445

Srimad Bhagavad Gita -Ramanujacharya

Chapter-14 Guṇa-traya-vibhāg Yogaḥ

Commentary The three Modes of Material Nature — Sattva (harmony), Rajas (activity) and Tamas (inertia) — are inherent in the essential nature of Prakrti and are it’s particular expressions. Their existence can be ascertained only through their effects such as enlightenment etc. They are not apparent in the unevolved state of Prakrti, but become apparent in the cosmic evolution. The Self is immutable, ie., it is not, in its natural state affected by the Gunas, but becomes ‘bound by them’ when residing in the body by virtue of the limiting conditions of being embodied. tatra sattvaṃ nirmalatvāt prakāśakam anāmayam | sukha-saṅgena badhnāti jñāna-saṅgena cānagha || 6 || 6. Of these, Sattva, being pure is illuminating and free from morbidity. It causes bondage, O Arjuna, through attachment to pleasure and to learning.