16. Transcending Gunas
K rishna says that no one is karta for any karma . Karma is in fact the result of the interaction among the three gunas viz. satva, rajo and tamas which are a part of prakriti (nature). Krishna advises Arjuna to transcend these gunas to be free from sorrows. Arjuna wanted to know how one can become a guna-atheeth (one who has transcended the gunas ) and what such a person is like upon attaining that state. Dwandwa-atheeth (transcending polarities), drishta (witness) and samatva (equanimity) are the qualities that are enshrined in the Gita. Krishna indicates that a combination of these three constitutes guna-atheeth . Krishna says that a person who has attained the state of guna-atheeth is the one who realises that gunas are interacting with gunas and therefore, remains a sakshi (witness). He neither desires any particular guna nor is he averse to any other one. Guna-atheeth is also dwandwa-atheeth at the same time. After understanding the polaritie...