guṇān etān atītya trīn dehī deha-samudbhavān janma-mṛtyu-jarā-duḥkhair vimukto 'mṛtam aśnute
"Having transcended these three gunas which are the source of the body, the embodied one, freed from birth, death, old age, and sorrow, attains immortality."
What This Means:
When the soul transcends all three gunas—which are the root of embodiment—it becomes free from birth, death, old age, and suffering. It attains immortality. This is the final goal.
Going Deeper:
'Guṇān etān trīn atītya'—having transcended these three gunas. Not just sattva over rajas/tamas, but beyond all three. 'Deha-samudbhavān'—which are the source of body (gunas create embodiment). 'Janma-mṛtyu-jarā-duḥkhaiḥ vimuktaḥ'—freed from birth-death-old age-sorrow. 'Amṛtam aśnute'—attains immortality. The goal isn't maximizing sattva but transcending the entire guna framework.
How To Apply This:
Ultimate freedom isn't becoming more sattvic but transcending the need for any guna. Even peace and knowledge are transcended in the highest realization. The Self is prior to all qualities.
Key Sanskrit Terms: