त्रैगुण्य विषयाः वॆदाः निस्त्रैगुण्यः भव अर्जुन ।
निर्द्वन्द्वः नित्य-सत्त्व-स्थः निर्यॊगक्षॆमः आत्मवान् ॥ २.४५ ॥
ತ್ರೈಗುಣ್ಯ ವಿಷಯಾಃ ವೇದಾಃ ನಿಸ್ತ್ರೈಗುಣ್ಯಃ ಭವ ಅರ್ಜುನ |
ನಿರ್ದ್ವಂದ್ವಃ ನಿತ್ಯಸತ್ವಸ್ಥಃ ನಿರ್ಯೋಗಕ್ಷೇಮಃ ಆತ್ಮವಾನ್ || ೨.೪೫ ||
traiguNya viShayAH vEdAH nistraiguNyaH bhava arjuna |
nirdvaMdvaH nityasatvasthaH niryOgakShEmaH AtmavAn || 2.45 ||
The Vedas seem to speak of what pertains to the three qualities (Satva, Rajas, Tamas); O Arjuna, get yourself free from the effect of the three qualities; stand aloof from the pairs of opposites; always take your stand on the Eternally Excellent; be free from the cares of gain and security; and ever have the Lord with you.
The Vedas when superficially understood seem to speak of duties which yield swarga and other paltry wishes. One should not be misled by what the Vedas casually seem to convey. Arjuna is thus advised to withdraw himself from the pursuit of those fruits which the three qualities may bear, and to give his attention to the deeper sense of the Vedas.
traiguNya = the effect produced by the three guNas – satva, rajas and tamas (like swarga and other desires) = mundane bondage which is again the effect of the three guNas
dvaMdva = pairs of pleasure & pain, gain & loss, victory & defeat, exhilaration & dejection
nitya sattva sthaH = Think of the Eternally pure Lord every moment
AtmavAn = he who is constantly mindful that the supreme Lord Hari is the master
yoga = acquisition of that which is not already possessed
kShEmaH = securing what is acquired and possessed
The Vedas counteract the effect of the poison called “samsAra” which is the effect of the three qualities. i.e., the Vedas mainly deal with the explanation of the nature of the Supreme Being and the knowledge that leads to final beatitude. Arjuna is here asked to follow this true spirit of Vedas and not be led astray by the superficial contents of the Vedas.
The glorious Lord alone forms the teaching and spirit of the Vedas, but not the rites and ceremonies calculated to accomplish paltry desires. Having abandoned such actions, constantly remember and contemplate the Supreme Lord as the omnipresent and perfect in all attributes, and as the master of the self.