nirguṇam—without material qualities Bg 13.15, SB 10.3.24
nirguṇam—devoid of material modes SB 2.6.40-41
nirguṇam—although I am free from all material qualities SB 3.9.39
nirguṇam—beyond the material modes SB 3.32.28
nirguṇam—transcendental SB 4.11.29
nirguṇam—without contact with the material environment SB 6.16.55
Word Meaning Reference
nirguṇam beyond the three modes of material nature BG 13.15
सर्वेन्द्रियगुणाभासं सर्वेन्द्रियविवर्जितम् |
असक्तं सर्वभृच्चैव निर्गुणं गुणभोक्तृ च || 15||
sarvendriya-guṇābhāsaṁ sarvendriya-vivarjitam
asaktaṁ sarva-bhṛich chaiva nirguṇaṁ guṇa-bhoktṛi cha
sarva—all; indriya—senses; guṇa—sense-objects; ābhāsam—the perciever; sarva—all; indriya—senses; vivarjitam—devoid of; asaktam—unattached; sarva-bhṛit—the sustainer of all; cha—yet; eva—indeed; nirguṇam—beyond the three modes of material nature; guṇa-bhoktṛi—the enjoyer of the three modes of material nature; cha—although
Translation
BG 13.15: Though He perceives all sense-objects, yet He is devoid of the senses. He is unattached to anything, and yet He is the sustainer of all. Although He is without attributes, yet He is the enjoyer of the three modes of material nature.
https://www.holy-bhagavad-gita.org/chapter/13/verse/15
In the Bhagavad-gita, Krishna talks at length about the "three modes of material nature." These are subtle forces that influence our behavior as well as every aspect of our physical, mental, and emotional world. The Sanskrit term for these forces is guna, "rope," and the Gita explains how they pull us to act in various ways, even against our better judgment.
The effects of sattva-guna, the mode of goodness, are seen when an atmosphere of peace, serenity, and harmony prevails in our environment and ourselves.
Rajo-guna, the mode of passion, is felt as insatiable desire for temporary things, striving for more and more of them, and perpetual dissatisfaction.
Tamo-guna, the mode of ignorance, is indicated when there's laziness, depression, intoxication, and insanity.
The fourteenth chapter of the Bhagavad-gita contains elaborate descriptions of the modes, their symptoms, how they affect us, and ultimately how to become free from their influence through the practice of bhakti-yoga, or Krishna consciousness.
The painting depicts the three modes of nature as puppeteers controlling our actions.