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Chapter 14
Link:- In response to Arjuna's first question, the Lord explains the marks of a person who has transcended the three gums (modes), in the next two verses:
sribhagavanuvaca
prakasam ca pravrttim ca mohameva ca papdava
na dvesti sampravrttani na nivrttani kanksati
The Blessed Lord said:
O Papdava, he does not hate illumination, activity and delusion when those are abundantly present, nor does he long for them, when all absent. 22
Comment:-
Prakasam ca:- Purity of the senses and mind, is called 'Prakasa', or illumination. It means, that illumination is the power, which enables the senses to perceive the five objects of senses, the mind, to think and the intellect, to judge.
The Lord (in 14/11) explained two marks of the mode of Sattva (goodness)—illumination (purity) and knowledge. Out of the two, only illumination has been mentioned here because in the mode, of goodness illumination occupies a predominant place. Unless there is illumination (purity) in the senses, mind and intellect, discrimination, is not aroused. Illumination arouses knowledge. So knowledge should be included within, illumination.
Pravrttim ca:- So long as, a person is attached to the modes of nature, the propensities, such as greed, activity, undertaking of actions, unrest and craving, of the mode of passion arise. But when a man rises above, the three guns (modes), the propensities of the mode of passion, do not spring up, but there is activity free from attachment and desire. Thus, the activity of the transcendental person, is flawless.
The mode of passion, has two forms—attachment and actions. Out of the two, attachment is the root cause of all suffering. A transcendental person, is free from attachment. But he performs actions, without having any desire, for the fruit of actions. These actions denote 'Pravrtti (Activity).
Mohameva ca pandava:- Delusion, can be of two kinds
- absence of discrimination, between the real and the unreal or between what ought to be done, and what ought not to be done.
- Error, in practical life. As far as the first kind of delusion, is concerned, a transcendental soul, is totally free from it. But, as far as, an error in practical life is concerned, even a transcendental person, may commit it. He may have an optical illusion, and may take a rope for a snake and a shell, as a piece of silver, by error.
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