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Chapter 2 · Contents of the Gītā Summarized · 72 verses

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Nature & guṇasChapter 2 · Contents of the Gītā Summarized
2.442.46

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 2.45

Transcending material modes and aims

त्रैगुण्यविषया वेदा निस्त्रैगुण्यो भवार्जुन ।

निर्द्वन्द्वो नित्यसत्त्वस्थो निर्योगक्षेम आत्मवान् ॥ ४५ ॥

trai-guṇya-viṣayā vedā

nistrai-guṇyo bhavārjuna

nirdvandvo nitya-sattva-stho

niryoga-kṣema ātmavān

Translation

The Vedas deal mainly 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.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

What this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.

Beyond the Three Modes

  1. 1The Vedas mainly deal with the three material modes. Kṛṣṇa tells Arjuna to rise above them, become free from dualities and worries about gain and safety, and be established in the self.
  2. 2Work for material rewards causes bondage. Vedic wisdom gradually guides people from sense enjoyment toward spiritual realization.
  3. 3Learn to tolerate happiness and distress, cold and warmth. This spiritual position is fully achieved in Kṛṣṇa consciousness by depending completely on Kṛṣṇa’s good will.

Where we are

In the story

Chapter 2, Contents of the Gītā Summarized: transcending material modes and aims.

What it teaches

Theme summary

The modes of nature condition behavior.

2

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: prakṛti, guṇa.

3

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 2.45 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to nature & guṇas?

Practice

Observe which mode shaped your last decision.

4

The story behind it

Mahābhārata episodes and stories from the purports that shed light on this verse.

All stories for chapter 2 ›
5

Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 2.46Transcending material modes and aimsBG 7.14Crossing beyond māyā

Study notes are editorial summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport.

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Back to step 3The key ideasNext · Step 5 of 7 · 5 minLive the teachingsBring it into your day with a practice and a question, straight from Prabhupāda's purports.