Krishna says, "Three 𝙜𝙪𝙣𝙖𝙨 of 𝙨𝙖𝙩𝙫𝙖 , 𝙧𝙖𝙟𝙖𝙨 and 𝙩𝙖𝙢𝙖𝙨 bind Imperishable Dweller (14.5). Of these, the stainless 𝙨𝙖𝙩𝙫𝙖 binds through attachment to happiness and knowledge (14.6). Know 𝙧𝙖𝙟𝙖𝙨 to be 𝙧𝙖𝙖𝙜𝙖𝙖𝙩𝙢𝙖𝙠 (nature of passion) giving birth to desires and it binds the embodied soul by attachment to action (14.7). Know that 𝙩𝙖𝙢𝙖𝙨 to be born of ignorance, deluding all embodied beings; it binds through heedlessness, laziness and sleep" (14.8). Essentially, the three 𝙜𝙪𝙣𝙖𝙨 (characteristics born of 𝙋𝙧𝙖𝙠𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙞 ) are responsible to bind the 𝙖𝙩𝙢𝙖 which is the 𝙗𝙚𝙚𝙟 (seed) of 𝙋𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙢𝙖 to the physical body.

Krishna further says, " 𝙨𝙖𝙩𝙫𝙖  attaches to happiness, 𝙧𝙖𝙟𝙖𝙨 to action while 𝙩𝙖𝙢𝙖𝙨 indeed, having veiled knowledge, attaches to heedlessness (14.9). Sometimes 𝙨𝙖𝙩𝙫𝙖 is predominant, overpowering 𝙧𝙖𝙟𝙖𝙨 and 𝙩𝙖𝙢𝙖𝙨 ; sometimes 𝙧𝙖𝙟𝙖𝙨 over 𝙨𝙖𝙩𝙫𝙖 and 𝙩𝙖𝙢𝙖𝙨 ; and sometimes tamas over 𝙨𝙖𝙩𝙫𝙖 and 𝙧𝙖𝙟𝙖𝙨 " (14.10). This implies that we are under the spell of the combination of these 𝙜𝙪𝙣𝙖𝙨 in various proportions at various points of time. Like the three primary colours viz. red, yellow and blue produce billions of colours, these three 𝙜𝙪𝙣𝙖𝙨 are responsible for the various behaviours we see around us.

The next question is how to know as to which 𝙜𝙪𝙣𝙖 is binding us at a given point of time. Krishna clarifies, "One may know that 𝙨𝙖𝙩𝙫𝙖 is prevalent when the light of wisdom shines through all the gates of the body (14.11). Domination of 𝙧𝙖𝙟𝙖𝙨 causes greed, activity, restlessness, desire and starting of works (𝙠𝙖𝙧𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙖𝙢) (14.12). 𝙏𝙖𝙢𝙖𝙨 as the ruling 𝙜𝙪𝙣𝙖 produces darkness, inertness, heedlessness and delusion" (14.13). We sleep when 𝙩𝙖𝙢𝙖𝙨 dominate. 𝙍𝙖𝙟𝙖𝙨 drives us to perform and achieve. 𝙎𝙖𝙩𝙫𝙖 is responsible for learning and acquiring knowledge. Hence, 𝙜𝙪𝙣𝙖𝙨 are the real 𝙠𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙖 (doer) for every action that emanates from us. Awareness is nothing but identifying the 𝙜𝙪𝙣𝙖 under whose control we are at any given moment.