135 - Characteristics of a Guṇātita | Swami Tattwamayananda

<b>Title: Characteristics of a <i>Guṇātita</i></b><br /><i></i><br /><i></i>14th Chapter: Verses 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27<br /><br />Our temperaments are determined by a combination of the three <i>gunas</i> – <i>sattva guna, rajo guna</i> and <i>tamo guna</i>. <i>Sattva guna</i> is the highest and most sublime. It manifests itself as wisdom and serenity. <i>Rajo guna</i> manifests itself as dynamism and ambition. <i>Tamo guna </i>manifests itself as laziness and delusion.<br /><br />Highest spiritual evolution happens when we transcend the three <i>gunas</i>. Such a person is called <i>Guṇātita</i>. This is a state similar to <i>Nirvana</i> in Buddhism and that of <i>Stitha-prajna</i> in the 2nd chapter of the Gita.<br /><br />Being established in <i>sattva guna</i> is not enough as there is a risk of descending down to <i>rajo guna</i> by the force of circumstances. <i>Guṇātita</i> is a state where there is no birth, no old age or sickness, and no death. He realizes his true identity as the <i>Atman</i>.<br /><br />In the 21st verse, <i>Arjuna</i> asks: “What are the characteristics and signs of this <i>Guṇātita</i>, the one who has transcended the three gunas? How does such a person act and behave? How does one understand that he has gone beyond the three <i>gunas</i>?<br /><br />In the 22nd to 25th verses, <i>Lord Krishna</i> gives a list of the essential characteristics of a <i>Guṇātita. </i>He lives in the world, is active and does all his duties, but remains serene and detached. He does not identify himself as involved in the action. He is established in the state of witness to his own actions. He remains in a state of perfect equanimity – not overjoyed when things are going well and not disturbed in unpleasant situations. He remains the same when talking to a friend or enemy and whether is honored or dishonored. He transcends the pairs of opposites.<br /><i></i><br /><i>Shankaracharya</i> says that in spiritual literature, whenever a list of characteristics of a spiritually enlightened person is provide