Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2, Verse 45

त्रैगुण्यविषया वेदा निस्त्रैगुण्यो भवार्जुन । निर्द्वन्द्वो नित्यसत्त्वस्थो निर्योगक्षेम आत्मवान् ॥

trai-guṇya-viṣayā vedā nistrai-guṇyo bhavārjuna | nirdvandvo nitya-sattva-stho niryoga-kṣema ātmavān ||

The Vedas speak of the three modes of nature; rise above these dualities, O Arjuna! Be established in eternal truth, free from anxiety about gain or loss, self-possessed.

Krishna's pivotal instruction: transcend the limited concerns dominating most lives. The three guṇas (sattva-goodness, rajas-passion, tamas-ignorance) condition all worldly action. Vedic rituals navigate these forces—prosperity, purity, overcoming obstacles. But Krishna says 'nistraiguṇyo bhava'—transcend them entirely. Go beyond dualities of pleasure/pain, success/failure ('nirdvandva'), beyond anxiety about 'yoga-kṣema' (acquiring and protecting). Be 'ātmavān'—established in the unchanging Self beyond all fluctuations.