Even clarity can bind

tatra sattvaṃ nirmalatvātprakāśakamanāmayamsukhasaṅgena badhnāti jñānasaṅgena cānagha

Of these, clarity, being pure, is bright and free of pain. Yet it binds, sinless one, through clinging to happiness and to knowledge.

What it means

Krishna describes sattva, clarity. It's pure, bright and peaceful. It's the best of the three. But even sattva can bind, he says, through attachment to happiness and to knowledge. We can cling to feeling good, or to being right. Even beautiful states can become a cage.

The story

Arjuna, a noble prince, values being good and wise. Krishna gently warns that even goodness can turn into pride if we cling to it.

In your life

Think of someone so attached to feeling peaceful that any disruption makes them angry. Enjoy calm moments today, without needing them to last.