131 – The Bondage of the Three Gunas | Swami Tattwamayananda

14th Chapter: Verses 6, 7, 8, 9<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 />The 6th verse of the 14th chapter says: “Of these three <i>gunas, Sattva guna</i> is luminous, healthy and good. However, even <i>Sattva guna</i> binds you. Ultimate supreme goal is to go beyond all three <i>gunas</i>.”<br /><br />Those endowed with <i>sattva guna</i> have a natural tendency to know things. They enjoy the quest for knowledge. A person endowed with <i>sattva</i> <i>guna</i> is active, but for the good of others. He is not opposed to <i>rajo guna</i>, but he is not bound by <i>rajo guna</i>. Along with action, he displays wisdom and level-headedness.<br /><br />In a <i>rajarshi </i>(philosopher king) – the philosophical aspect comes <i>sattva guna</i> and the kingly aspect comes from <i>rajo guna</i>.<br /><br />There is a degree of imperfection even in <i>sattva guna, </i>as it can lead to invisible bondage when one can feel attached to manifestations of this <i>guna</i> such as the quest for knowledge.<br /><br />7th verse: “<i>Rajo guna</i> is of the nature of extreme likes and dislikes, extreme attachment and aversion. It leads to bondage by attachment to action.”<br /><br /><i>Trishna</i> in <i>Buddhism</i> refers to thirst or desire. It is not ordinary desire. When one is thirsty, he may go to any extremes to get water. This attitude is natural for those endowed with <i>rajo guna</i>.<br /><br />While <i>rajo guna </i>is superior to <i>tamo guna</i>, it is not of the highest type. A man endowed with <i>rajo guna</i> will not be able to find fulfillment in his life, as his mind is divided into two extreme thought currents.<br /><br />8th verse: “<i>Tamo guna</i> is caused by ignorance and delusion. It