Ch.14: Division according to the three guNaas

Sanskrit Verses

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The Lord says that nature is the universal womb in which He places the seed. From this all beings are born and therefore He is the source of all creation and is the originator. The continuous process of creation is presided over by the Lord.

The three Gunaas viz., Sattva, Rajas and Tamas have their source in Prakriti. The characteristics of each of these Gunaas are, Sattva – Purity, Rajas – Passion, Tamas – Ignorance or dullness.

Everything in life is bound and dominated by these GuNaas and man’s life and actions are influenced by them.

Sattva being purity is luminous and bright like a crystal, is free from evil and trouble and therefore binds and connects itself to happiness and knowledge. Rajas is a source of desire, lust and attachment and therefore binds itself to action because from desire and attachment flow attachment to action. Desire means hankering after things not attained and attachment means fondness for things already attained. Tamas binds itself to laziness and sleep.

The results of each of these characteristic actions of Gunaas are: Purity from Sattva, Pain from Rajas and Ignorance and stupidity from Tamas. What happens to those who follow these Gunaas? Sattvikaas go up to the Satyaloka – the abode of Brahma, Raajasikas dwell in the middle and are born in the world of men, Taamasikaas go downwards and are born in lower creatures.

The person who rises above the three GuNaas is called triguNaatiita. He does not identify himself with passing moods of happiness or sorrow because he understands that these are only emotions of an impermanent body and not of himself because he has identified with God. He is alike in pleasure and pain and has the same attitude to friends and enemies.. He never feels that he is the doer of anything. The lord concludes with a statement that only a person who has complete faith and devotion can become a Trigunaathitha and be able to reach Brahman.

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