Does Krishna’s call to Arjuna to rise beyond the three modes imply that we all can transcend our nature born from the modes?
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So, when Krishna asks Arjuna to rise beyond the three modes, does that mean that anyone can rise beyond their own nature and become situated in their spiritual nature? You have to look at the context. This verse comes in 2.45 in the Bhagavad Gita.
Trigunya Vishaya Veda is Trigunya Bhava Arjuna. Nel tvaṁ yo nitya-sattva-stho nilyoga-kṣema ātmā. Krishna is telling rise beyond the three modes.
Actually what he is saying is the Vedas deal with subjects related to the three modes. Trigunya Vishaya Veda, the subject of the Vedas deals with the three modes. And this Trigunya Bhava, go beyond the three modes.
So, if you look at the context, Krishna is talking about Karmakand. Karmakand is material religiosity. This is 2.45. Krishna talks about He talks about people who do religion for the sake of getting material things.
That is Karmakand. And Krishna is telling Arjuna that Vedas deal with this. But the ultimate conclusion of Vedas is higher.
And seek that ultimate conclusion. So, his focus is not so much on Arjuna that you have to yourself become transcendental in terms of all the actions that you do. At the end of Krishna tells Arjuna you have to fight.
In 18.59 he says that We are all bound by our Swabhava, Arjuna. And he says We are bound by our nature. You may think that I will not do this.
Helplessly you will be forced to do it. So, that means that Krishna is telling Arjuna more to go beyond the section of the Vedas which talks about subject within three modes. Which talks about elevation to heavens.
And is telling him to focus on the spiritual section of the Vedas which talks about soul and self-realization. But while pursuing self-realization Arjuna cannot give up his Swabhava. In terms of his action he will pursue transcendence through the body-mind complex that he has.
He can’t suddenly get a new body and mind. So, he will naturally act as a Kshatriya. But instead of acting as a Kshatriya who seeks Swarga he can act as a Kshatriya who seeks the spiritual world.
So, the Vedas talk about how to go to heavens. Krishna tells Arjuna work in a more selfless way, more spiritually enlightened way and seek a destination higher than heaven. Seek the spiritual world.
That’s the purpose of what he is saying. Does this answer your question?