sattvaṁ sukhe sañjayati rajaḥ karmaṇi bhārata
jñānam āvṛitya tu tamaḥ pramāde sañjayaty uta
sattvam — mode of goodness;
sukhe — to happiness;
sañjayati — binds;
rajaḥ — mode of passion;
karmaṇi — toward actions;
bhārata — Arjun, the son of Bharat;
jñānam — wisdom;
āvṛitya — clouds;
tu — but;
tamaḥ — mode of ignorance;
pramāde — to delusion;
sañjayati — binds;
uta — indeed
This verse explains how different ways of being can influence our lives. Let's break it down:
1. **Mode of Goodness**: When a person is in this mode, they feel happy and satisfied just by doing good things or learning new things. Imagine a teacher who loves sharing knowledge with students. For them, teaching isn't just a job; it's something that makes them feel content and fulfilled. They gain joy from their work and the positive impact they have on others. This kind of happiness is deeper and doesn’t rely on material rewards or recognition.
2. **Mode of Passion**: This mode is about wanting things and achieving results. Think of someone who is very ambitious in their career. They might work hard to climb the corporate ladder, striving for money, fame, or recognition. They often measure their success by how much they achieve or acquire. While their actions may still be good—like starting a charity or helping others—they are mainly driven by personal gain or the need to show off their success. They want to feel powerful and influential and sometimes this leaves them craving for more and more, leading to anxiety or stress if things don’t go their way.
3. **Mode of Ignorance**: This mode is when someone doesn’t see things clearly. They could be confused, lazy, or engage in foolish behavior. Picture a person who doesn’t care about their health and spends all day watching television or scrolling on their phone. They might not realize how this is affecting their life negatively. Because of this ignorance, their choices often lead to unhappiness and problems—not just for themselves, but for those around them too. They may find it hard to make decisions or act in ways that are beneficial to themselves or others.
In summary, this verse highlights how our motivations and understanding of life shape our actions and feelings. When we operate from goodness, we're likely to find true happiness. When driven by passion, we might achieve things but also feel restless. When we act out of ignorance, we might end up creating trouble for ourselves and others. The key is to try to cultivate the mode of goodness, which leads to real joy and fulfillment.