Three characteristics of Prakriti stay like oil in a sesame seed

सत्त्वं रजस्तम इति गुणाः प्रकृतिसंभवाः |
प्रकृतौ सूक्ष्मरूपेण तिले तैलमिव स्थिताः || 34 ||

 

Sattva, rajas, tamas – these characteristics are born of Prakriti, staying in Prakriti like oil in a sesame seed.

 

Compare with shloka 5 of Chapter 14 of Bhagvad Gita.

 

सत्त्वं रजस्तम इति गुणाः प्रकृतिसंभवाः |
निबध्नन्ति महाबाहो देहे देहिनमव्ययम् ||

 

These are the characteristics which bind the undecaying soul/individual (body bearing entity – a living being) with the physical body. Sattva can overpower rajas, but is still something that binds the soul.