The Three Forces of Nature

सत्त्वं रजस्तम इति गुणाः प्रकृतिसम्भवाः | निबध्नन्ति महाबाहो देहे देहिनमव्ययम् ||१४-५||

“Krishna introduces the three fundamental forces of nature: "Purity, passion, and inertia — these three qualities are born from nature. They bind the eternal soul to the body, Arjuna, like ropes."”

तत्र सत्त्वं निर्मलत्वात्प्रकाशकमनामयम् | सुखसङ्गेन बध्नाति ज्ञानसङ्गेन चानघ ||१४-६||

“Krishna describes the first quality — purity (sattva): "Purity is clean and luminous. It creates health and clarity. But even purity binds you — it binds you through your attachment to happiness and your attachment to knowledge."”