The Yoga of Liberation by Renunciation

Krishna emphasizes the universal nature of the gunas. 'Na tad asti pṛthivyāṁ vā divi deveṣu vā punaḥ'—there is no being (na tad asti) on earth (pṛthivyām), or (vā) in heaven (divi) among the gods (deveṣu). 'Sattvaṁ prakṛtijair muktaṁ yad bhaved yas tu bhāvajaiḥ'—that being (sattvam) which would be (yad bhavet) free from (muktam) the three gunas born of nature (prakṛti-jaiḥ), who (yaḥ tu) is born of the gunas (bhāva-jaiḥ). This is the key teaching: no being, whether on earth or in heaven, is free from the three gunas. Everyone is born of nature and influenced by the gunas. This emphasizes that the classification by gunas is universal—it applies to everyone, everywhere. Understanding this helps you see that you're not separate from the gunas, but you can work with them, align with sattvic qualities, and eventually transcend them. This is the path: recognizing that everyone is influenced by gunas, and working toward sattvic qualities and eventual transcendence.