Maitri Upanishad 2.6Famous
intermediate
त्रयो गुणाः सत्त्वं रजस्तम इति। तैरात्मा बद्धो भवति।
trayo guṇāḥ sattvaṃ rajastama iti | tairātmā baddho bhavati |
Paraphrase of Maitri Upaniṣad 2.6
"There are three qualities: sattva, rajas, and tamas. By these, the Self becomes bound."
What This Means:
The three qualities of nature - purity, activity, and inertia - are what bind the Self to worldly existence.
Going Deeper:
The gunas are the strands of prakriti (nature). As long as we identify with the body-mind, we are governed by them.
How To Apply This:
Observe which quality dominates you now - inertia, restlessness, or clarity. You can transcend all three.
#gunas#bondage#prakriti