Bhagavad Gita BG 2.45
Chapter 2, Verse 45 — Meaning, Translation & Explanation
त्रैगुण्यविषया वेदा निस्त्रैगुण्यो भवार्जुन । निर्द्वन्द्वो नित्यसत्त्वस्थो निर्योगक्षेम आत्मवान् ॥ ४५ ॥
trai-guṇya-viṣayā vedā nis-trai-guṇyo bhavārjuna nirdvandvo nitya-sattva-stho niryoga-kṣema ātmavān
Meaning
The Vedas mainly deal with the subject of the three modes of material nature. O Arjuna, become transcendental to these three modes. Be free from all dualities and from all anxieties for gain and safety, and be established in the self.
Understanding
A famous verse on transcending the three gunas (qualities of nature): sattva (goodness), rajas (passion), and tamas (ignorance). The karma-kāṇḍa of the Vedas operates within the three gunas. Krishna tells Arjuna to become 'nis-trai-guṇya' — transcendental to the three gunas. Four qualities of such a person: 'nirdvandva' (free from dualities), 'nitya-sattva-stha' (established in pure goodness), 'niryoga-kṣema' (free from anxiety about gain and protection), 'ātmavān' (established in the self).
Word by Word
| Word | IAST | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| त्रैगुण्यविषयाः | trai-guṇya-viṣayāḥ | dealing with the three gunas / covering the three modes of nature |
| वेदाः | vedāḥ | the Vedas |
| निस्त्रैगुण्यः | nis-trai-guṇyaḥ | transcendental to the three gunas / beyond the three modes |
| निर्द्वन्द्वः | nirdvandvaḥ | free from dualities (heat-cold, pleasure-pain, etc.) |
| नित्यसत्त्वस्थः | nitya-sattva-sthaḥ | established in pure sattva / always in goodness |
| निर्योगक्षेमः | niryoga-kṣemaḥ | free from anxiety for gain and protection |
| आत्मवान् | ātmavān | established in the self / self-possessed |
| भव | bhava | become / be (imperative) |
| अर्जुन | arjuna | O Arjuna |