Chapter II · Śloka 45
त्रैगुण्यविषया वेदा निस्त्रैगुण्यो भवार्जुन |
निर्द्वन्द्वो नित्यसत्त्वस्थो निर्योगक्षेम आत्मवान् ||
निर्द्वन्द्वो नित्यसत्त्वस्थो निर्योगक्षेम आत्मवान् ||
trai-guṇya-viṣayā vedā nistrai-guṇyo bhavārjuna |
nirdvandvo nitya-sattva-stho niryoga-kṣema ātmavān ||
nirdvandvo nitya-sattva-stho niryoga-kṣema ātmavān ||
The Vedas mainly deal with the subject of the three modes of material nature. Rise above these modes, O Arjuna. Be transcendental to all of them. Be free from all dualities and from all anxieties for gain and safety, and be established in the Self.
A startling instruction: go beyond the Vedas themselves. The scriptures describe the world of the three gunas — but Krishna calls Arjuna to stand in the awareness that is prior to all of this. The goal is not Vedic heaven but liberation from the entire field.