The Three Gunas

The Three Gunas

A clear understanding of the three Gunas and their operations is very necessary for a Karma Yogi. He who has knowledge of the three Gunas can do his work in a better and more efficient manner.

Prakriti is composed of the three Gunas or forces, namely, Sattva, Rajas and Tamas. Sattva is harmony or light or wisdom or equilibrium or goodness. Rajas is passion or motion or activity. Tamas is inertia or inaction or darkness. During Cosmic Pralaya these three Gunas exist in a state of equilibrium. During Srishti or projection a vibration arises and the three qualities are manifested in the physical universe. The three qualities bring bondage to the Jiva or the individual soul. Though Sattva is a desirable quality, yet it also binds a man. It is a golden fetter. Rajas is the source of attachment and thirst for life. It causes attachment to action. Tamas binds man to heedlessness (Pramada), laziness (Alasya) and sleep (Nidra).

These three qualities are inseparable. No one is absolutely Rajasic or Sattvic or Tamasic. Sometimes Sattva prevails in man. He is calm and serene. He sits quietly and entertains sublime, soul-elevating thoughts. He studies religious scriptures. He talks on divine topics. When Sattva prevails, the other two qualities are overpowered for the time being. At other times Rajas prevails. He does action. He moves about. He plans, schemes, speculates. He craves for power, wealth and action. When Rajas prevails, Sattva and Tamas are overpowered for the time being. Sometimes Tamas prevails and the man becomes slothful. He feels lazy, indolent and lethargic. He is dull and feels sleepy. When Tamas prevails, Sattva and Rajas are overpowered for the time being.

In some people Sattva is predominant; in others Rajas is predominant; and in some others Tamas is predominant. When the wisdom-light streams forth from all the gates of the body, then it may be known that Sattva is increasing. Greed, outgoing energy, undertaking of action, restlessness and desire-these are born of the increase of Rajas. Darkness, delusion, stagnation, heedlessness-these are born of the increase of inertia. If Sattva is predominant at the time of one’s death, then he goes to the spotless world of sages. If Rajas is predominant at the time of one’s death, he will doubtless be born among those that are attached to action. If one dies when Tamas is predominant, he will be born in the womb of the senseless.

The fruit of a Sattvic action is harmonious and spotless; the fruit of a Rajasic action is pain, and of a Tamasic action is ignorance. Those who are established in Sattva rise upwards. The Rajasic people occupy a middle place and the Tamasic people go downwards, shrouded in the vilest of qualities.

Intense Rajas takes a Sattvic turn. A man who is immersed in deep Rajas will take to Nivritti Marga or the path of renunciation. He will, as is the law, be fed up with activities. In the Gita you will find:

Arurukshormuneryogam karma karanam uchyate,
Yogarudhasya tasyaiva shamah karanamuchyate.

“For a sage who is seeking Yoga, action is called the means; for the same sage when enthroned in Yoga, serenity is called the means.” Ch. VI-3.

It is impossible to rise or jump to Sattva all of a sudden from Tamas. One should convert Tamas into full Rajas first. Then he can reach Sattva. Sattva is intense activity. Just as the wheel of an engine appears to remain stationary when it moves very swiftly, so also a Sattvic man appears to be calm through his self-restraint or control. A Sattvic man is most active. He can turn out tremendous work within the twinkling of an eye. He has full concentration.

Prakriti does all action. It is the Gunas that operate. Owing to ignorance the body is mistaken for the Self. Egoism of man asserts at every step, nay, at every second. Just as the motion of the clouds is falsely attributed to the sun, so also the movements of the body and the Indriyas are falsely attributed to the Self. The Self is always silent and is the witness of all actions. He is Nishkriya or Akarta. You will find in the Gita:

“All actions are wrought by the qualities born of nature only. The self, deluded by egoism, thinketh: ‘I am the doer.’ But he, O mighty-armed, who knoweth the essence of the divisions of the qualities and functions, holding that the qualities move amid the qualities, is not attached.” Ch. III-27, 28.

“‘I do not do anything’ should think the harmonised one, who knoweth the essence of things. Seeing, hearing, touching, smelling, eating, moving, sleeping, breathing, speaking, giving, grasping, opening and closing the eyes, he holdeth: ‘The senses move among the objects of the senses.'” Ch. V-8, 9.

“The Lord of the world produceth not the ideas of agency, nor actions, nor union together of actions and their fruit; nature, however, manifesteth:” Ch. V-14.

“He who seeketh that Prakriti, verily performeth all actions, and that the Self is actionless, he seeth.” Ch. XIII-29.

“When the seer perceiveth no agent other than the qualities and knoweth That which is higher than the qualities, he entereth into My nature.” Ch. XIV-19.

The mind and the five organs of knowledge, viz., ear, skin, eye, tongue and nose, are formed out of the Sattvic portion of the Tanmatras or rudiments of matter. The Pranas and the five organs of action, viz., tongue, hands, feet, genitals and anus are formed out of the Rajasic portion of the Tanmatras. This physical body is formed out of the Tamasic portion of the Tanmatras.

By meditation on the significance of the above Slokas of the Gita, one can transcend the three Gunas. The Atman or Brahman is beyond the three Gunas (Trigunatita). One should increase his Sattva Guna by development of virtuous qualities, by taking Sattvic food, doing charity, practising austerities, doing Japa and meditation, controlling the Indriyas, and studying religious books. Then he should go beyond Sattva Guna also by identifying himself with the Atman or Sakshi, and practising Brahma Abhyasa or Atma-Chintana or Nididhyasana.

When the dweller in the body has crossed these three qualities whence all bodies have been produced, liberated from birth, death, old age, diseases and sorrow, he drinketh the nectar of immortality. He who has crossed the three qualities has the following signs as described in the Gita: “He who hateth not radiance nor outgoing energy, nor even delusion when present, nor longeth after them when absent; he who, seated as a neutral, is unshaken by the qualities; who saying: ‘The qualities revolve’, standeth apart, immovable; balanced in pleasure and pain, self-reliant, to whom a lump of earth, a rock and gold are alike; the same to loved and unloved, firm, the same in censure and praise, the same in honour and ignominy, the same to friend and foe, abandoning all undertakings-he is said to have crossed over the qualities. And he who serveth Me exclusively by the Yoga of Devotion, he, crossing beyond qualities, is fit to become the Eternal.” Ch. XIV-22, 26.

The Three Gunas – Sattva, Rajas, Tamas, and Inner Balance

The Three Gunas are the basic qualities of nature that influence the mind, behavior, emotions, habits, and spiritual growth. In Indian philosophy, these qualities are known as Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas. They are present in every person, but their balance keeps changing according to food, thoughts, company, actions, environment, and lifestyle. By understanding them, a person can understand why the mind sometimes becomes peaceful, sometimes restless, and sometimes dull.

Sattva is the quality of purity, harmony, light, wisdom, and balance. When Sattva is strong, the mind becomes calm, clear, and steady. A sattvic person naturally moves toward truth, kindness, patience, self-control, and spiritual awareness. Such a mind does not remain disturbed by every small situation. It can think deeply, act responsibly, and feel compassion for others. Sattva brings inner happiness that does not depend too much on outside excitement.

Rajas is the quality of activity, passion, desire, movement, and ambition. It gives energy to work, create, compete, achieve, and improve. Without Rajas, life may become inactive and weak. A student needs effort, a worker needs motivation, and a leader needs energy. However, when Rajas becomes excessive, it creates restlessness, anger, jealousy, greed, anxiety, and dissatisfaction. The mind keeps running after results and rarely feels satisfied.

The Three Gunas help us understand that Rajas is not completely bad. It becomes useful when guided by wisdom. Desire can become dedication, activity can become service, and ambition can become disciplined effort. But if Rajas is controlled by ego, it creates bondage. A rajasic person may work hard, but they may also suffer from comparison, impatience, and attachment to praise or success.

Tamas is the quality of darkness, heaviness, ignorance, laziness, confusion, and resistance. It slows the mind and body. In a small and natural way, Tamas is needed for sleep and rest. But when it becomes dominant, a person may avoid duty, delay important work, remain careless, or fall into unhealthy habits. A tamasic mind does not like effort, truth, correction, or discipline. It prefers comfort, dullness, and unconscious living.

The Three Gunas also explain why people react differently to the same situation. If someone receives criticism, a sattvic mind may reflect calmly and learn. A rajasic mind may become angry and argue. A tamasic mind may feel depressed, deny the truth, or avoid responsibility. The outer event is the same, but the inner quality creates a different response. This is why self-observation is so important.

These qualities are visible in daily life. When a person helps others without selfish expectation, Sattva is active. When someone works only for fame, reward, or superiority, Rajas is active. When someone avoids duty due to laziness or ignorance, Tamas is active. Every thought, word, and action shows which quality is influencing the mind at that moment.

The Three Gunas are influenced by food and lifestyle. Fresh, light, clean, and balanced food supports Sattva. Very spicy, oily, sour, or overly stimulating food may increase Rajas. Stale, heavy, impure, over-processed, or excessive food may increase Tamas. In the same way, good company, noble books, meditation, prayer, and service increase clarity, while negative company, careless entertainment, and bad habits increase restlessness or dullness.

A seeker should try to increase Sattva because it supports peace, wisdom, concentration, and spiritual progress. This can be done through truthfulness, moderation, self-control, pure food, good company, meditation, self-study, and compassionate action. When Sattva grows, the mind becomes fit for higher understanding. It becomes easier to control desires, reduce ego, and live with balance.

The Three Gunas teach that personal growth is possible. A lazy person can become active through discipline. A restless person can become calm through meditation and simplicity. A confused person can become wise through right knowledge and good guidance. No mental state is permanent if sincere effort is made. The mind can be trained, purified, and lifted.

Still, the highest spiritual goal is not only to remain sattvic. Sattva is pure and helpful, but it is also a quality of nature. The true self is beyond all qualities. First, a person reduces Tamas through activity and discipline. Then Rajas is purified through selfless action. Then Sattva is increased through purity and wisdom. Finally, through deep realization, the seeker rises beyond all three and rests in inner freedom.

In the end, The Three Gunas give a clear map of human nature. Sattva brings light, Rajas brings movement, and Tamas brings heaviness. When these qualities are understood, a person can stop blaming life blindly and begin working on the mind consciously. By choosing pure habits, noble thoughts, disciplined action, and spiritual awareness, one can move from confusion to clarity and from bondage to peace.

Duties of Man