Chapter 14

In the 13th chapter, the characteristics of the Self and the environment were described, along with their association. Then, several virtues were listed, such as being without a sense of superiority. These virtues help in realizing the Self.

With these virtues, devotion and the Lord’s compassion, a person is freed from material bonds.

The cause of the bond with the material world was also stated - the bond is due to our desires, such as our craving for happiness. The three qualities soak the desires of the material world with their influence. This was told in 13-21: ‘The Self is bound to the environment due to its association with the three qualities in births that came from virtue and flaws’.

Next, in this chapter, the Lord describes the way in which these three qualities bind us, along with the method to gain freedom from these qualities .