Verse 18.40 : Moksha Sanyasa Yoga "Liberation and Renunciation"
Verse 40 of 78
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The Translation
“There is no being on earth, or in heaven among the demigods, who is free from these three modes (Gunas) born of material nature.”
Commentary & Insights
Krishna concludes his exhaustive analysis of the Gunas. In Vedic cosmology, the entire manifest universe (Prakriti) is composed of the three Gunas. No material form, from physical elements to the highest gods, is exempt from this framework.
Practical Application
1
Acknowledge that everyone is influenced by their biology and conditioning; practice compassion for others' struggles.
Reflections & Notes
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Self-Reflection Prompts
- If every created thing is subject to the Gunas, how can we hope to find absolute freedom? What is that part of us which is beyond the Gunas?
- How does realizing that the entire universe is a play of three modes help you look at worldly events with greater detachment?
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18.40
न तदस्ति पृथिव्यां वा दिवि देवेषु वा पुनः
Shankara comments that the entire manifest universe (samsara), from the lowest worm to Brahma the creator, is the play of Prakriti (matter) and its three modes. Liberation cannot be found by running to heaven (deva-loka), because heaven is also composed of Sattva and Rajas. Absolute freedom (Moksha) lies only in realizing the Atman, which is transcendent to nature.