बुद्धेर्भेदं धृतेश्चैव गुणतस्त्रिविधं शृणु | प्रोच्यमानमशेषेण पृथक्त्वेन धनञ्जय ||
buddher bhedaṁ dhṛteś caiva guṇatas tri-vidhaṁ śṛṇu proc yamānam aśeṣeṇa pṛthaktvena dhanañjaya
Translation
Now hear, O Arjuna, the threefold distinction of intellect and of steadfastness according to the gunas, set forth fully and separately.
Interpretation
The guna analysis extends to two more inner faculties: buddhi (intellect/discriminative intelligence) and dhriti (steadfastness/will). These inner faculties are as subject to guna-influence as external actions. The quality of our discrimination and the quality of our resolve are not fixed — they reflect and are shaped by the dominant guna in our consciousness. Understanding this empowers intentional cultivation: we can choose practices that refine the intellect and strengthen the will in a sattvic direction.