Illustration for Bhagavad Gita chapter 14 verse 6
Chapter 14 · Gunatraya Vibhaga Yoga

Even Goodness Can Bind · Holding Virtue Lightly

तत्र सत्त्वं निर्मलत्वात्प्रकाशकमनामयम् । सुखसङ्गेन बध्नाति ज्ञानसङ्गेन चानघ ॥

tatra sattvaṁ nirmalatvāt prakāśakam anāmayam sukha-saṅgena badhnāti jñāna-saṅgena cānagha

Meaning

"Among these, sattva, being pure, is illuminating and free from affliction; it binds one through attachment to happiness and knowledge, O sinless one."

Explanation

Even the best of our tendencies — clarity, calm, wisdom — can quietly become something we cling to and get attached to. It's worth holding even our good qualities a little lightly.

Today's Life Lesson

Even your good qualities today — your clarity or calm — are worth holding lightly, rather than clinging to as identity.

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