Better Than Good

Trai-gunya-visaya veda     nistrai-gunyo bhavarjuna

Nirdvandvo nitya-sattva-stho     niryoga-ksema atmavan

Translation: The Vedas deal mainly with the subject of three modes of material nature. O Arjuna, become transcendental to these three modes. Be free from all dualities and all anxieties for gain and safety, and be established in the self.

             
           My understanding of this verse is as follows. There are three modes of material nature. They are the mode of ignorance, the mode of passion, and the mode of goodness. One may think that the mode of goodness is the highest mode of material nature, but it does not free oneself from the cycle of birth and death. Even though we do everything we can, we can’t be perfect until we surrender and serve to Lord Krishna, continuously, with pure love and devotion. This is the only way we will be able to free ourselves from the cycle of birth and death. I chose this verse because it is one of the one hundred eight most important verses. Also, it tells us that no one can be perfect until they surrender themselves to Lord Krishna, and pray to Him with pure love and devotion.

                This verse relates to my and other people’s lives because we all have probably known someone who either believes in the mode of goodness, the mode of passion, and the mode of ignorance. An example of the mode of goodness is a Brahmana because he/she strongly believes in God but still has not completely surrendered. An example for the mode of passion is a politician because he/she works very hard to earn material enjoyment and does not strongly believe in God. Last but not least, an example for the mode of ignorance is atheists because they are lazy, they don’t worship a God and they are always angry. Because they have no interest in spiritual life, they have no chance of liberation. Those are examples of the mode of goodness, the mode of passion, and the mode of ignorance.

                This relates to what we talk about in class because we have discussed about people who are atheists and who don’t believe in a God or that God exists and even had a debate on that topic. Also, we have talked about how we should surrender Lord Krishna with pure love and devotion. That was my realization and thoughts on this particular verse.

Reflections written by Nandini Majmudar