The Vedas are composed of profound wisdom that includes the ancient sages’ revelation that the universe and all its creation is governed by three prime attributes “Tri Gunas: Sattva Rajas Tamas” which mainly represent “purity and wisdom”, “activity and passion”, “inertia and ignorance” respectively. Simply, these three attributes of Nature are the building blocks of Prakriti (nature) and influence every aspect of our existence. Yoga and transcendental Meditation play a vital role in understanding and balancing the Gunas to achieve true harmony. Yoga and Transcendental Meditation, complemented by vipashyana-vipassana Buddhism and mindfulness meditation, offer powerful tools to master these energies. Combining Yoga and Asanas, these exercises are responsible for creating a complete system for physical, mental, and spiritual metamorphosis.
Furthermore, this blog is created to develop a deeper understanding regarding the nature of the three gunas, their influence on our lives and how yoga serves as a transformative practice to balance them. This blog gives you the opportunity to explore relevant genuine Sanskrit verses from ancient texts, their transliteration, and meanings, to provide a richer understanding of the timeless wisdom.
1. Sattva – the Quality of Purity and Wisdom
“सत्त्वं सुखे सञ्जयति रजः कर्मणि भारत।
ज्ञानमावृत्य तु तमः प्रमादे सञ्जयत्युत।।”
(Bhagavad Gita 14.9)
Transliteration:
Sattvaṁ sukhe sañjayati rajaḥ karmaṇi bhārata.
Jñānam āvṛtya tu tamaḥ pramāde sañjayaty uta. ||
Meaning:
“Sattva binds one to happiness, Rajas to action, O Bharata, and Tamas, veiling knowledge, binds one to delusion.”
Among the three fundamental attributes, Sattva is the highest of the tri Gunas: Sattva Rajas Tamas. It represents purity, clarity, and spiritual illumination. A sattvic mind enables peace, compassion and connection with higher consciousness.
Role of Yoga to cultivate Sattva :
- Yoga and Transcendental Meditation – when practiced regularly, it dissolves mental impurities, revealing one’s innate wisdom. Through Yoga and Transcendental meditation, one can stabilize sattvic consciousness.
- Pranayama – It balances energy channels called “nadis” for mental clarity.
- Sattvic Lifestyle – It incorporates purity in diet, relationships, and environment.
2. Rajas – The quality of Passion and Activity
“रजो रागात्मकं विद्धि तृष्णासङ्गसमुद्भवम्।
तन्निबध्नाति कौन्तेय कर्मसङ्गेन देहिनम्।।”
(Bhagavad Gita 14.7)
Transliteration:
Rajo rāgātmakaṁ viddhi tṛṣṇā-saṅga-samudbhavam.
Tan nibadhnāti kaunteya karma-saṅgena dehinam. ||
Meaning:
“Know Rajas as born of craving and attachment; it binds the soul through compulsive action.”
Rajas represent the active principle among Tri Gunas: Sattva Rajas Tamas. It is responsible for driving ambition, desire and movement. It is very crucial to note that while being essential for achievement, unchecked Rajas may lead to stress and dissatisfaction.
Role of Yoga to Balance Rajas:
- Dynamic Asanas – It aims to channel restless energy productively.
- Breath Awareness – It involves calming the agitated mind.
- Karma Yoga – It aids in transforming selfish action into service. Yoga and Transcendental Meditation provide the centeredness for harnessing rajasic energy wisely.
3. Tamas – The Quality of Inertia and Ignorance
“तमस्त्वज्ञानजं विद्धि मोहनं सर्वदेहिनाम्।
प्रमादालस्यनिद्राभिस्तन्निबध्नाति भारत।।”
(Bhagavad Gita 14.8)
Transliteration:
Tamas tv ajñāna-jaṁ viddhi mohanaṁ sarva-dehinām.
Pramāda-ālasya-nidrābhis tan nibadhnāti bhārata. ||
Meaning:
“Tamas, born of ignorance, deludes all beings through negligence, laziness, and sleep.”
Tamas is the densest of Tri Gunas: Sattva Rajas Tamas. It manifests as lethargy, confusion, and resistance to change. While being necessary for rest, excess Tamas is known to create stagnation.
Role of Yoga to Transform Tamas
- Energizing Asanas – It assists in breaking through physical and mental inertia effectively.
- Bhastrika Pranayam – It ignites inner fire and vitality
- Vipashyana-Vipassana Buddhism – It significantly develops penetrating awareness. Yoga and Transcendental Meditation help to awaken the dormant energy trapped in tamas.
The Holistic Path of Yoga for Tri Guna Mastery
- Physical Level: Yoga and Asanas maintain the body’s equilibrium preventing tamasic stagnation and rajasic burnout.
- Mental/ Emotional Level: While mindfulness meditation cultivates witness consciousness, Vipashyana-Vipassana Buddhism develops insight into guna dynamics.
- Spiritual Level: Yoga and transcendental meditation elevate consciousness beyond gunas to pure awareness. Also, regular practice awakens our true nature beyond these qualities.
Conclusion
The ultimate goal of Yoga and transcendental meditation is to rise above the three attributes of nature and attain Moksha ( liberation), the level where one’s soul is free from the cycles of attachment and ignorance. Get in touch with the expert team of Bodhidham, the best Yoga School and Spiritual Retreat Ashram where you’ll learn that by embracing yoga, we can cultivate Sattva, regulate Rajas, and minimize Tamas, leading to a more peaceful, purposeful, and enlightened existence. May your journey through the gunas lead you to everlasting peace! Namaste!!
