# 14/T.R.A.P

### <mark style="color:red;">In Chapter Fourteen, Krishna introduces a paradigm-shifting concept known as the “Three modes of material nature.” These three fundamental energies colour everything we see, hear, taste, touch, and smell. The modes also pervade our lifestyle, attitude and behaviours, thus determining our sense of happiness and well-being in life. People's desires and decisions are actually impelled and influenced by these three modes at every moment, yet they function with a mistaken sense of free will and independence. Krishna teaches Arjuna that, unless one is able to transcend these modes of nature, they imperceptibly trap one in this material world, life after life.</mark>

## <mark style="color:red;">T</mark>

[**Three Modes (1-9)**](#user-content-fn-1)[^1]

'Mode' is a translation of the sanskrit word *guna*, which literally means 'rope'. The three modes influence a person’s character, behaviour and mentality, thus binding them to a certain quality of life. For example, if Goodness (*sattva*) predominates, one will aspire for (and generally achieve) long-term happiness even if one is subjected to temporary inconvenience. The person impelled by Passion (*rajas*) strives for instantaneous short-term gain and doesn’t expect much more out of life. Finally, the person dominated by Ignorance (*tamas*) rarely achieves happiness at all, overcome by laziness and lethargy and lacking any real direction and drive in their life. The material world is thus populated by living entities who are influenced by various configurations of these modes.

## <mark style="color:red;">R</mark>

[**Race for Prominence (10-13)**](#user-content-fn-2)[^2]

Just as three primary colours are mixed to generate unlimited variations, combinations of the three modes can form an unlimited variety of individual personalities and psychologies. Furthermore, the modes are dynamic and continually compete with one another for supremacy within an individual. Even within the cycle of a single day, different modes may achieve prominence at different times. As a general rule, Goodness clarifies and pacifies the individual, since it invokes satisfaction, wisdom, altruism and kindness. Passion is said to confuse and agitate the individual by provoking qualities like greed, anger and frustration. Ignorance is said to obscure and impede one’s life, symptomised by apathy, depression and inertia.

## <mark style="color:red;">A</mark>

[**Actions in The Modes (14-18)**](#user-content-fn-3)[^3]

Reincarnation is the process by which a soul receives a new material body on the basis of activities performed and consciousness cultivated in the present body. Our activities are a result of the decisions we make, and our decisions are ultimately impelled by the modes we are influenced by. The future destination of an individual can therefore be predicted based on the predominant mode in their life. In short, those situated in Goodness are promoted to higher planets, those in Passion remain on the earthly planets and those in Ignorance degrade themselves to the hellish worlds. The effects of these actions can be felt even in this life.

## <mark style="color:red;">P</mark>

[**Pure Life (19-27)**](#user-content-fn-4)[^4]

These various descriptions allow us to decipher the combination of modes we are personally affected by. Although Goodness is said to be the purest form of existence in this world, and in many ways beneficial for spiritual practice, it still implicates one in a network of karma. To completely rid oneself of karmic reactions, the spiritualist should use Goodness as a springboard to elevate themselves to the spiritual platform, known as pure goodness or *suddha-sattva*. This is possible by engaging in *bhakti-yoga* with unflinching determination, taking inspiration and support from those who have already transcended the three material modes. Krishna explains the shining character of such a perfected transcendentalist, who enjoys nectar even in this life.

> ### *<mark style="color:red;">"WE BECOME AVERAGE WHEN WE ARE TOO BUSY, TOO ARROGANT OR TOO COMFORTABLE TO KEEP LEARNING, GROWING, AND IMPROVING."</mark>* *<mark style="color:red;">\~ UNKNOWN</mark>*

[^1]: **Bg. 14.1 - 14.9**

    **Source:** [**Vedabase**](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/14/)

    [TEXT 1](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/14/1/): The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: Again I shall declare to you this supreme wisdom, the best of all knowledge, knowing which all the sages have attained the supreme perfection.

    [TEXT 2](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/14/2/): By becoming fixed in this knowledge, one can attain to the transcendental nature like My own. Thus established, one is not born at the time of creation or disturbed at the time of dissolution.

    [TEXT 3](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/14/3/): The total material substance, called Brahman, is the source of birth, and it is that Brahman that I impregnate, making possible the births of all living beings, O son of Bharata.

    [TEXT 4](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/14/4/): It should be understood that all species of life, O son of Kuntī, are made possible by birth in this material nature, and that I am the seed-giving father.

    [TEXT 5](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/14/5/): Material nature consists of three modes – goodness, passion and ignorance. When the eternal living entity comes in contact with nature, O mighty-armed Arjuna, he becomes conditioned by these modes.

    [TEXT 6](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/14/6/): O sinless one, the mode of goodness, being purer than the others, is illuminating, and it frees one from all sinful reactions. Those situated in that mode become conditioned by a sense of happiness and knowledge.

    [TEXT 7](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/14/7/): The mode of passion is born of unlimited desires and longings, O son of Kuntī, and because of this the embodied living entity is bound to material fruitive actions.

    [TEXT 8](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/14/8/): O son of Bharata, know that the mode of darkness, born of ignorance, is the delusion of all embodied living entities. The results of this mode are madness, indolence and sleep, which bind the conditioned soul.

    [TEXT 9](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/14/9/): O son of Bharata, the mode of goodness conditions one to happiness; passion conditions one to fruitive action; and ignorance, covering one’s knowledge, binds one to madness.

[^2]: **Bg. 14.10 - 14.13**

    **Source:** [**Vedabase**](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/14/)

    [TEXT 10](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/14/10/): Sometimes the mode of goodness becomes prominent, defeating the modes of passion and ignorance, O son of Bharata. Sometimes the mode of passion defeats goodness and ignorance, and at other times ignorance defeats goodness and passion. In this way there is always competition for supremacy.

    [TEXT 11](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/14/11/): The manifestation of the mode of goodness can be experienced when all the gates of the body are illuminated by knowledge.

    [TEXT 12](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/14/12/): O chief of the Bhāratas, when there is an increase in the mode of passion the symptoms of great attachment, fruitive activity, intense endeavor, and uncontrollable desire and hankering develop.

    [TEXT 13](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/14/13/): When there is an increase in the mode of ignorance, O son of Kuru, darkness, inertia, madness and illusion are manifested.

[^3]: **Bg. 14.14 - 14.18**

    **Source:** [**Vedabase**](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/14/)

    [TEXT 14](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/14/14/): When one dies in the mode of goodness, he attains to the pure higher planets of the great sages.

    [TEXT 15](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/14/15/): When one dies in the mode of passion, he takes birth among those engaged in fruitive activities; and when one dies in the mode of ignorance, he takes birth in the animal kingdom.

    [TEXT 16](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/14/16/): The result of pious action is pure and is said to be in the mode of goodness. But action done in the mode of passion results in misery, and action performed in the mode of ignorance results in foolishness.

    [TEXT 17](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/14/17/): From the mode of goodness, real knowledge develops; from the mode of passion, greed develops; and from the mode of ignorance develop foolishness, madness and illusion.

    [TEXT 18](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/14/18/): Those situated in the mode of goodness gradually go upward to the higher planets; those in the mode of passion live on the earthly planets; and those in the abominable mode of ignorance go down to the hellish worlds.

[^4]: **Bg. 14.19 - 14.27**

    **Source:** [**Vedabase**](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/14/)

    [TEXT 19](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/14/19/): When one properly sees that in all activities no other performer is at work than these modes of nature and he knows the Supreme Lord, who is transcendental to all these modes, he attains My spiritual nature.

    [TEXT 20](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/14/20/): When the embodied being is able to transcend these three modes associated with the material body, he can become free from birth, death, old age and their distresses and can enjoy nectar even in this life.

    [TEXT 21](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/14/21/): Arjuna inquired: O my dear Lord, by which symptoms is one known who is transcendental to these three modes? What is his behavior? And how does he transcend the modes of nature?

    [TEXTS 22-25](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/14/22-25/): The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: O son of Pāṇḍu, he who does not hate illumination, attachment and delusion when they are present or long for them when they disappear; who is unwavering and undisturbed through all these reactions of the material qualities, remaining neutral and transcendental, knowing that the modes alone are active; who is situated in the self and regards alike happiness and distress; who looks upon a lump of earth, a stone and a piece of gold with an equal eye; who is equal toward the desirable and the undesirable; who is steady, situated equally well in praise and blame, honor and dishonor; who treats alike both friend and enemy; and who has renounced all material activities – such a person is said to have transcended the modes of nature.

    [TEXT 26](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/14/26/): One who engages in full devotional service, unfailing in all circumstances, at once transcends the modes of material nature and thus comes to the level of Brahman.

    [TEXT 27](https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/14/27/): And I am the basis of the impersonal Brahman, which is immortal, imperishable and eternal and is the constitutional position of ultimate happiness.