A few days back, my elder cousin brother forwarded me a message showcasing the shloka 3.27 from the Bhagwat Geeta:
Bhagwat Geeta 3.27
प्रकृतेः क्रियमाणानि गुणैः कर्माणि सर्वशः।
अहङ्कारविमूढात्मा कर्ताहमिति मन्यते॥
Translation: “The spirit soul bewildered by the influence of false ego thinks himself the doer of activities that are in actuality carried out by the three modes of material nature.”
Interpretation: This verse from the Bhagavad Gita stresses that the modes of nature drive all activities, but it is the influence of the ego that makes one think they are the doer. In reality, these modes interact with one another, pushing actions, not the individual soul. Thus, the verse instigates the realization of the soul’s distinct nature from material activities, promoting detachment and deeper insight into one’s true self beyond ego.
Often, the answer to many modern enigmas in the quest for a balanced and fulfilling life is found in ancient wisdom. The Indian philosophical tradition profoundly emphasizes the interplay of the three Gunas—Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas. These energies or qualities infuse every act of creation, forming our actions, thoughts, and overall life experience. A balanced and enriched life involves understanding and harmonizing these Gunas.
I continued investigating and started considering that Sattva (Goodness), Rajas (Passion), and Tamas (Ignorance) are indeed the real instigators of all actions in life. Humans driven by excess Tamas (ignorance) also breed ego and false pride, wrongly identifying themselves as the real doers. It is these three qualities that prompt human beings to act. It is logical, then, to wonder how humans produce their Karma if all action emanates from the three Gunas—Sattva, Tamas, and Rajas.
Sattva can be described as the quality of purity, wisdom, and harmony. It is associated with luminosity, light, and illumination. When Sattva predominates, it brings peace, delight, and joy. Individuals with a Sattvic nature are quiet, reflective, and compassionate, striving toward knowledge, truth, and spiritual growth.
Rajas is characterized by “energy of action, change, and movement.” It describes individuals governed by passion, excitement, and restlessness. Rajas drives ambition, achievement, and the desire for sensory pleasures. Such individuals are dynamic, competitive, and often driven by desires and goals, constantly seeking new experiences and accomplishments.
Tamas represents inertia, darkness, and ignorance. It is associated with heaviness, lethargy, and confusion. When dominant, Tamas leads to stagnation, delusion, and lethargy. A Tamas-dominant person is slow, indifferent, and resistant to change, often lacking clarity and motivation.
The next question arises: Is the proportion of these Gunas in humans intrinsic or natural, or can it be controlled by training our minds to get the right balance for the Karma required at each life stage? I explored this in the Bhagwat Geeta and found the following Shloka:
Bhagwat Geeta 4.17
कर्मणो ह्यपि बोद्धव्यं बोद्धव्यं च विकर्मणः।
अकर्मणश्च बोद्धव्यं गहना कर्मणो गतिः॥
Translation: “The intricacies of action are very hard to understand. Therefore, one should know properly what action is, what forbidden action is, and what inaction is.”
This verse indicates that every action has its course, and it is necessary to distinguish right from wrong. It places the responsibility on humans to maintain the right mix of Sattva (goodness or divinity) and Rajas (the passion driving our worldly duties) while gradually dispelling Tamas (ignorance). With the appropriate mix of the three Gunas, one can use intellect and train the mind to opt for proper action over inappropriate action. Understanding these distinctions reveals that actions performed in accordance with dharma (righteousness) lead to positive outcomes, while actions against dharma result in negative consequences.
This highlights personal responsibility in ensuring one’s actions are based on moral and ethical grounds. However, have our households, educational environments, and external environments created an atmosphere that ensures this? Let’s ponder over this issue today, focusing on providing the right mix between Sattva and Rajas at every stage of life while constantly working towards minimizing Tamas.
As I delved further, I realized that the predominance of each Guna can change based on circumstances, environment, and personal growth. The key is to adapt and find the right balance at each stage of life:
Childhood:
During childhood, the focus is on growth and learning. Intrinsically, Sattva is naturally strong in children, manifesting in their innocence and joy. Childlike impulsive actions can result from their curiosity, representing the Rajas element. Children naturally prefer dynamism to stagnation and inertia, showing a hunger for acquiring knowledge and dispelling Tamas or ignorance. However, are we providing the right environment for children to acquire knowledge and dispel ignorance? Traditionally, the practice was to start training the child’s mind to seek and learn, beginning their quest for all-around knowledge. Encouraging play, creativity, and exploration while providing a nurturing environment is expected to facilitate their development in the right direction. Introducing structure and discipline gently can harness Rajas in a positive way, helping children develop routines and habits that promote healthy growth. It is counterproductive to use distraction, snubbing, or loud voices as weapons if their questions become difficult to answer. My generation experienced this. The education system of the 1950s and 60s, mostly inherited from the British, aimed to train minds sufficiently to earn a living but not around holistic personality development. It was wrongly assumed that educational institutions had no role in encouraging seeking and exploring, as inherent in our culture and manifested through the well-documented Upanishads and other Scriptures. Seeking, exploring, and learning are more about culture than religion. However, in their wisdom, the framers of the education policy confused it with promoting one religion over another. I cannot say how much of the children’s potential for exploring and scientific inquiry has been curbed due to giving away the tradition of seeking, inquiry, dialogue, discussion, and exploration to meekly listening and accepting, as was the situation in our times.
Adolescence and Teenage:
This period is marked by significant change and self-discovery, often dominated by Rajas. However, incorporating an element of Sattva, particularly focus, is essential. Swami Vivekananda emphasized the importance of concentration and focus, especially for adolescents. He believed these qualities were crucial for achieving success and personal growth, often illustrating this with a football game.
In a football game, players need to be fully present and focused on the ball, their teammates, and the goal. They must be aware of their surroundings, make quick decisions, and act with precision. Similarly, adolescents need to develop the ability to concentrate on their studies, goals, and personal development. By practicing focus and concentration in sports, they can apply these skills to other areas of their lives. Swami Vivekananda believed that engaging in sports and physical activities could help build discipline, concentration, and a strong character, which are essential for overall success in life.
Given this perspective, teenagers’ immense energy, enthusiasm, passion, and desire to explore their identity should be channelled through sports, arts, and constructive hobbies instead of excessive screen time on mobile devices, computers, and TV. Furthermore, there is excessive parental and peer pressure to secure admission to prestigious professional courses or academic programs at reputed universities for a successful livelihood. How can teenagers, especially those preparing for competitive examinations, find time for playing football or other games amid school, extra classes, coaching centres, school homework, coaching centre homework, and the pressure to excel?
To retain focus, it is essential to train them to be honest and listen to them like a mentor. When I was deciding on a coaching centre for my son during his preparation for the IIT-JEE, he had the option to join one established institute that required daily attendance and another newly established one that required attendance only once a week, mostly for discussing unsolved questions. We discussed and chose the latter with a precondition that he would attempt all the questions of the assignment and keep trying until he found a solution. The logic was to train his mind to think up solutions rather than rely on spoon-feeding by the institute. Luckily in our case, this strategy paid off and he cleared IIT-JEE, with three to four hours of study after school, albeit with full concentration. I don’t claim that this strategy will pay off in every case. But this approach highlights the importance of a disciplined and focused approach akin to that advised in the Bhagwat Geeta:
Bhagavad Gita 2.41:
व्यवसायात्मिका बुद्धिर् एकेह कुरुनन्दन।
बहुशाखा ह्यनन्ताश्च बुद्धयोऽव्यवसायिनाम्॥
Translation: “Those who are on this path are resolute in purpose, and their aim is one. O beloved child of the Kurus, the intelligence of those who are irresolute is many-branched.”
Interpretation: This verse highlights the importance of a focused and resolute mind. When one is determined and concentrated on a single goal, their path becomes clear and direct. In contrast, those who lack focus have a scattered and fragmented mind, making it difficult to achieve their objectives. By exerting one’s mind with full concentration and maintaining a single-pointed focus, one can achieve their goals more effectively.
Thus, balancing moments of reflection and mindfulness can help adolescents develop a sense of inner peace and clarity, avoiding the extremes of restlessness or confusion that can come with excessive Rajas or Tamas.
Youth and Adulthood:
In early adulthood, Rajas might be more dominant, driving ambition and exploration. In a previous post, I mentioned that it took me until 1996 to overcome the tamas or inertia of opening the first version of the Geeta that I bought in 1973. This change was prompted by a captivating discourse by my learned and enlightened fellow passenger during my journey from New Delhi to Ambala. Reflecting on this, it becomes clear that the discourse acted as a catalyst, infusing confidence in me to read and attempt to understand this profound philosophy. My desire to learn, which led me to accept the offer of the discourse by the learned passenger, a senior faculty member of Thapar Institute in Patiala, was the key driver.
How do we facilitate the samskaras (impressions) to acquire the knowledge of this profound philosophy? By exposing children to glimpses of it from an early age, ensuring they are not given a wrongful understanding of the deep-rooted metaphors but provided with real knowledge. In my case, this came from my grandmothers, both maternal and paternal, juxtaposed with the exposure to Arya Samaj traditions followed in my school, which encouraged exploration and understanding rather than mere acceptance.
As responsibilities grow, maintaining a balance of all three Gunas becomes crucial. Sattva can provide clarity and peace, Rajas can drive productivity, and Tamas can offer the necessary rest. Adulthood often requires a dynamic interplay of these qualities to manage work, family, and personal aspirations effectively. Developing Sattva is a lifelong journey that continues beyond life. The only care needed is to set aside some time every day to contemplate and learn.
In this competitive world, Rajas naturally promotes working harder. However, Tamas should be limited to the extent that it rejuvenates and doesn’t breed laziness. Recognizing when Tamas is taking over, causing inertia or confusion, and taking immediate measures like physical exercise and stimulating activities, can help manage it effectively. For this, a well-structured routine is essential.
Balancing this with Sattvic practices can ensure that actions are guided by wisdom and purpose. Engaging in career-building activities, social interactions, and personal development while maintaining a healthy lifestyle can create a balanced foundation for the future.
Conclusion:
A balanced life is not about eliminating any of the Gunas but about harmonizing them to suit your life’s stages and needs. By cultivating Sattva, channeling Rajas, and managing Tamas, one can achieve a state of equilibrium that promotes overall well-being and fulfilment. Embrace the wisdom of the Gunas and embark on a journey toward a harmonious and enriched life.
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