udāsīna-vad āsīno guṇair yo na vichālyate
guṇā vartanta ity evaṁ yo ’vatiṣhṭhati neṅgate || 23||

My Understanding : The practice of transcending the gunas must be done in harmony with society and the people around you. Once a person begins this practice, they must understand the qualities and characteristics of the gunas. Knowledge should be applied to daily life and practiced consistently. Through this process, a person will become aware of the good and bad qualities in others. At first, others may view the person’s behavior as reckless or helpless. As the person continues to practice, the intensity of their behavior may increase, but eventually, they will stop reacting to the ups and downs of life. They will begin to recognize indifference and equanimity, understanding that the good and bad qualities in humans are the result of the influence of the gunas. It is the gunas, not the person, that shape behavior. This realization—that one’s actions and reactions are governed by the gunas—should deeply sink into the mind, marking a critical stage in personal growth. Happiness and sadness arise from the nature of a person, influenced by external situations. This is especially true for those living in familial settings, where emotions often depend on circumstances. However, in reality, happiness and sadness are not inherent in the situations themselves but in how a person responds to them. The response to these situations is shaped by a person’s nature, which in turn is shaped by the combination of the three gunas. These gunas belong to the person, but the person is not their gunas. Recognizing this truth frees the individual from being disturbed by fleeting emotions or external situations. A person influenced by Satvaguna will accept situations as they are, remaining unaffected by feelings of good or bad, thus maintaining inner peace and balance regardless of external circumstances.