An interesting apparent contradiction

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> > In the absence of the false ego, the goodness is free from the influence

> > of the material nature, and thus:

> >

> > "One who performs his duty without association with the modes of

> > material nature... is said to be a worker in the mode of goodness."

>

> But it still doesn´t make sense because all the way through, Krsna is

> describing the modes of nature, not suddha-sattva. But on this occassion

> when He talks about the mode of goodness He describes suddha-sattva,

> transcendental goodness.

 

In scriptural exegesis, if the direct meaning of a term appears

contradictory or meaningless, then the meaning intended by it has to be

deduced from the context (C.f. SB 10.87.1 purport).

 

In this case therefore, I understand that the description of a worker in the

mode of goodness as "mukta-sangah", i.e. without association with the modes

of material nature, means that his tendency is towards suddha-sattva and

that he endeavors for that. A person in the mode of goodness strives for

transcendence. The mode of goodness is close to and similar to the

transcendental position, and as much as a worker in the mode of goodness

becomes free of the lower modes, that much closer he moves towards

transcendence. It may be noted in this connection that ®r…la Prabhup€da's

purports describing sattva-guna often describe the position of

transcendental devotees.