THREE GUNAS THAT BIND OUR LIFE = THE APPLIED SCIENCE FROM GITA (POST 2) = HOW CAN YOU MAXIMISE YOUR HAPPINESS USING THIS SCIENCE? =

THREE GUNAS

THAT BIND OUR LIFE

THE APPLIED SCIENCE FROM GITA (POST 2)

In Post.1 we saw the general structure of  the three Gunas that bind our life, how we can transcend them with Sraddha and by being a witness. In this Post – we shall examine each Guna individually. All these are mostly based on extracts from Gita, though, great sages like Sankara also have dealt with these in various works.

With deep knowledge of the 3 Gunas - we can always discern who is in what Guna and wherefrom one’s actions are emanating – and guard our own interest accordingly.

SATHVA GUNA

SATHVA GUNA makes the man – utterly pure, shining and with absolute clarity. But, Sathva Guna also binds the man in Sukha or worldly joys. A man with  Sathva Guna is always striving for knowledge and happiness. If you watch a strange peace and calm energy in all or any of the nine paths in you – know that, that wisdom and calmness has come from Sathva Guna.

If we Keep Sathva Guna predominant in us – we live well and happily here and also attain to those heavens to which the greatest wise men also go – because most of our actions will be good deeds for others welfare - and result in purity, and flawlessness is us also and  give us “Punya”.

From Sathva arises, wisdom also.

People with Sathva Guna are always upwardly mobile, reaching greater heights of success and happiness in life.

Saathvicas like food which is energy-giving, strength giving, health giving, happiness giving, those with juices, oils, those which will be fresh for a long time (v.8.Sraddha thraya vibhaga yoga).

From this, we can also infer that foods of this nature are Sathva-giving. Some writings on the subject say that foods / vegetables etc which are mildly sweet and grow above the earth generally, with reasonable liquid content – are usually Sathva-predominant foods. But, they too should be taken fresh. Many of them, you will find growing on creepers; Some, on trees and very few, below the ground.

This gives rise to another question. Is Sathva or any other Guna imbibed by birth, or by practice? There is no doubt that certain element of genetic disposition comes in all of us because of Sanchitha Karma, disposing us towards one or the other Guna. But, man does have the power of will, if he undertakes such a discipline, to alter his guna by proper actions, proper food habits etc. A man disposed towards Thamas can change towards Sathva in this way.

Regarding Yajna – selfless work done with love and surrender feeling , without desire for the fruit of the karma, as described in ancient scriptures are saathvic in nature.

Regarding Thapas (Meditation / Penance) :- keeping the mind, body and word in total control and doing thapas – without desiring the fruits therefor, like yogis – is saathvic thapas.

Daanam (Charity) : We must keep an attitude to help the really needy persons, who cannot do us anything in return, but who deserve to be helped ; helping them – is called saathvic daanam.

Jnanam (Wisdom) :- In all things and people in the universe, one who does not see the division but sees the unity – he possesses saathvic Jnanam (v.20.Moksha sanyasa yoga). This is what ensures peace, happiness and contentment.

RAJO GUNA

RAJO GUNA (or, RAJAS) is always thirsting after pleasures, likes (and their opposites also), and wants to acquire worldly objects and derive their pleasures.  This thirst for pleasure and comfort always binds the man with karma or Action. Because of action orientation, man with Rajas is always in a restless state.

From Rajas – are born Greed and Greed-ful actions in us. All such actions create restlessness and constant desires  in us. These in turn goad us into actions for more and more of some thing or other. Restlessness becomes our constant companion in Rajo guna.

If Rajas is predominant throughout life and at the time death – they are born in families which are action-oriented., while people with Sathva Guna are reborn in families of wisdom and happiness. So, the seeds of previous births are carried forward to an extent.

In any case –Action – is always the watchword for those with Rajo Guna.

People with Rajo Guna are always getting tossed between happiness and unhappiness and are in the middle of the happiness curve of life.

Those with Rajo guna generally like sour, bitter, saltish, hot and such tastes like those of chillies, bitter gourd, tamarind, lime etc;  oilless foods (fried), thirst creating, sorrow creating foods.

Regarding Yajna – they perform actions of Yajna without desire for any return or the fruits of Karma, but still desire a feeling of greatness and recognition. They do actions – to display their superiority and greatness.

Regarding thapas – doing thapas for receiving gifts, respect, felicitations, etc – is rajasic thapas.

Daanam :- Giving gifts with the anticipation of some thing in return after some time, or with some use in view for the self, and without the mind totally agreeing with the daanam – that daanam is Rajasic daanam.

THAMO GUNA

Thamo Guna (or Thamas) springs out of Ignorance.

From Thamas is born Moha or lust in us. Moha is one of the main components of Maya. Thamas binds the man in “carelessness, tiredness, procrastination, and sleep. (v.8) .Thamas clouds our wisdom and leads us into all types of dangers and problems to us. Most of our mistakes get committed when our mind is clouded by Thamas.

Some times, Thamas  gets into ascendancy – over Sathva and Rajas, even in a usually saathvic or Rajasic man. If we are watchful – we can choose what should be in ascendancy at any particular time.

Tamas is clearly in ascendancy – if our mind is in darkness, unclear, not willing at all to do any work, is full of jealousy, or lust; always wanting to take rest, or over sleepy and so on.

Those who live and die in Thamo Guna are again reborn in the households of fools.

People with thamo Guna are always taken downward in life. Their life with be full of negativities and even when happiness comes – they look at it with suspicion and lose it.

Those with thamo guna like to eat – tasteless, old, long kept foods, foods with bad smell; those which were kept for more than one day; what others have eaten and left off; foods which are not pure;

They will eat these, because of laziness - whatever they get to eat.

Yajna : Acts done without appropriate procedure; without anna daanam (donation of food); without mantra(proper invocation), without dakshina(rewards); without Sraddha (devotion) – whatever yajna is done, is Tamasic Yajna.

Thapas : tormenting their own bodies and tormenting others’ bodies, and doing tapas is called tamasic tapas. A saathvic thapas never involves tormenting himself or others.

Daanam : A daanam with is given at an inappropriate time, in an inappropriate place, to undeserving persons – not given for good cause; given carelessly – is called tamasic daanam.

SUMMING UP :

What is the benefit of all this discussion to us?

 

1.       Can you identify the Guna that is predominant in your life? Is it Sathva, Rajas, or Thamas? Are you (i) happy, compassionate, generous and calm (which makes you Saathvic)  (ii) angry, action-oriented, selfish and ambitious (which makes you Rajasic or (iii) jealous, careless, tired, sleepy, lazy and seeking others’ fall ( makes you thamasic)? You are a combination of all – but, try to identify the proportion of each like 50 : 30 : 20 or  70 : 20 :10 and so on. Be very honest in your self – assessment – or else, you won’t reap any benefits from this exercise.

2.      You must try to reduce your thamasic disposition – by first cultivating Raajasic disposition (easier path); and then by cultivating Saathvic disposition. This will improve your happiness in life and the quality of your life style significantly. You know you are moving up in your life when you do this.

3.      Have some absolutely noble, selfless and saathvic goals – which are not against any one but are in the larger good. If your goals are against ANY SECTION OF PEOPLE, unknown to you mostly, your goals are not Saathvic. There can be no HATRED or ANGER in SAATHVIC GOALS. Make an effort to pursue those goals on a daily basis.

4.      COMMUNICATIONS :-            A Saathvic man speaks softly, sweetly, factually, pleasing himself and others. But, he won’t speak untruth for this purpose. Untruth for any purpose, does not come under Saathvic Yajna.  He tries to spread happiness and joy within himself and all around him.  A Raajasic man speaks strong, angry words, has some human opponent most of the time, and always is on a challenge path. A thamasic man is selfish, jealous and speaks accordingly. You must try to speak every word to – speak truth, speak pleasantly and to benefit others.

5.      FOOD :  You must eat fresh foods, vegetables, curds etc  which are not Sour, Bitter or Saltish – but are slightly sweetish, may be slightly oily, or with more liquid content – and good for taste. Do not eat any cooked foods, preserved overnight. Do not eat curds which have lost their sweetishness. Do not eat fried foods which have lost their life. Generally, many vegetables which grow on creepers have Saathvic qualities, and a few which grow on trees and very few which grow under the ground.  There are vegetables which promote lots of activity, including sexuality and some vegetables which are bitter or sour but are good medicines to be taken some times. Choose Saathvic food generally – and take others occasionally, when needed. Saathvic food gives enough energy for any action – but you can choose what you want to do with that energy. Western world knows only about proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins etc -  but the Indian sciences have gone much deeper to analyze the sources of our Happiness and Unhappiness. Lord Krishna himself has talked about these in a nutshell- in the Gita, for the Benefit of Arjuna, and for our Benefit eventually. That is why – Gita is a great source of the most ancient wisdom and must be known to all – irrespective of caste, religion or sex. What we discussed is just one small part of Gita.

6.      ACTIONS : Choose actions which give you happiness but do not give unhappiness to any one. Choose actions which involve the maximum happiness of the maximum number. That was how Lord Krishna himself lived his life. Saathvic man is not devoid of action. He does actions – for common good. But, he is not bound to those actions. He moves on.

7.      EMOTIONS : Reduce your Likes and Dislikes. No hatred towards others at all. Not that Saathvic man does not punish  people for bad deeds. He does- but like Lord Krishna. Krishna does not dislike Duryodhan or his brothers.  But Adharma has to go. But your own happiness and the happiness of dharmic people should not be affected in any way. No anger. No jealousy; No Lust; No undue, adharmic desires; No greed; No pride in the self; No enmity; No fears. Saathvic man is the most fearless man; and most courageous man. It requires lots of Guts to speak truth always. To face adharma boldly.  If at any time – you have any doubt – look into the life of Lord Krishna. He is the very epitome of one who has transcended all three Gunas – but still, whose actions are examples of Sathva Guna.

8.     What you are Today is immaterial. What you decide strongly today matters. Take your decision and decide on your life course. Good Luck.

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THREE GUNAS THAT BIND OUR LIFE = HOW TO TRANSCEND THEM = THE APPLIED SCIENCE FROM GITA = POST 1

THREE GUNAS

THAT BIND OUR LIFE

THE APPLIED SCIENCE FROM GITA

“trigunathmikaa maayaa” said Adi Sankara.

Maya is contained  in the three gunas, namely Sathva, Rajas, and Thamas.

Maya is inherent and intrinsic  in all the life around us and is behind  every thing happening in and around us in the Universe or Prakrithi.

Maya is virtually the master of our mind-body complex – and controls it through the three gunas. We are helpless victims  before Maya and float and sink in its tides.

The whole of Bhagavad Gita contains references to the three Gunas, the Maya and the Prakrithi at several places in several chapters.

Human beings, do possess the unique capacity and chance within us, to transcend the three Gunas, and become their master and thereby, become our own masters – if we stick to a well disciplined life.

Chapter 14, Guna thraya vibhaga Yoga – is  a brief summary of the nature of the three Gunas. But many other chapters of Gita give valuable information on their nature, functioning, effects, uses and so on.

Lord Krishna says  in verse.1 of Ch.14 that – I am now going to give you that knowledge, which is the best of all knowledge. Knowing this – all sages are instantly freed from all Sorrow – even in the most  disastrous catastrophes (Like Paralaya).

This knowledge of the three Gunas and their daily application in life – is capable of removing all sorrow from our life and can infuse great happiness into us.

This knowledge is both an “applied science” and also a “theoretical science”. If we learn it and keep it in theoretical plane – we merely know why we are suffering but we are not applying the science to remove our suffering.

But, if we bring it into practical application in our own life – we can remove our sorrows effortlessly and create infinite happiness in our own lives and in the lives of those around us.

Purusha (the divine) is the source of Prakrithi or universe. The universe or prakruthi then becomes the mother of all further creation. Prakrithi is the source of the three Gunas of Sathva, Rajas and Thamas and their totality is Prakrithi itself.

These three Gunas become the instruments, which together enslave the man. The Guna-filled Prakrithi creates the three gunas in us.

Every human being has all the 3 Gunas in some proportion. No one can have just one Guna and avoid the others. All three will co-exist in every one.

But, which Guna predominates, to what extent for most of an Individual’s life – decides his (or her) Nature.

The inner self in us is capable of realizing this, when it keeps its attention on the divine (Purusha) or on the self (Lord Krishna, in v.19) on one side and stays as a witness to the guna filled Prakrithi on the other side.

All the 3 Gunas pertain to the Body-Mind complex and do not touch the Inner soul at all. One who realizes this and stays in control of them – can also stay in perpetual joy.This is the key to the control of the three Gunas.

He can become liberated / released from the three Gunas at his core level – though in his day to day dealings with the world, he plays with the three Gunas as their master.

How to identify the person who has transcended the 3 Gunas.

The man who has transcended the 3 Gunas is indifferent between losses and gains of any kind. His happiness is not reduced by losses of mundane things. His mind is always enlightened by a rare wisdom and the usual lust, greed etc do not touch him. He neither loves them nor hates any one or any thing.

He remains mere witness to the coming and going of everything. He will sleep when needed but tamoguna does not become his master. He might do different types of work – but Rajo guna does not become  master. Worldly comfort, joy and knowledge may come to him – but Sathva Guna also does not become his master.

He takes comforts, pleasures, sorrows, mud, metals and gold with equal value.

He does not entertain likes and dislikes and get swayed by them. Nor does he get swayed by others praise or abuse, respect and disrespect, fame and humiliation, friends and enemies.

 He does not go madly after work. But, he does the work well, that comes to him naturally.

He also goes beyond Fear, anger etc. In this respect, we can remember Socrates – who drank poison, but remained totally unperturbed till death.

We talk a lot about Vedas and their sanctity. But, Lord Krishna, even while not disputing this, says –in  v.45.Sankhya yoga, that Vedas tell us of matters pertaining to the three Gunas – and you must go beyond them also, and become equal between the dualities of life.

The one who remains master of his five senses – will always remain in control of his life and attain all joys.(v.62 sankhya)

First the sense instruments work – because they are all outgoing by nature. Let us say – we see with the eyes. Then happens some liking / disliking of what is seen .Then, some bondage with it occurs in the mind. Then a desire for it or hate for it comes. Then anger if we do not get what we like. From anger comes lust, from lust comes loss of mind-or, thoughtfulness; loss of thoughtfulness destroys intellectual / decisional capabilities and with loss of intellect, every thing is lost. So, actually our likes and dislikes are our real enemies.

No one in the world can keep without doing anything at all in this world (v.5.Karmayoga).This is because of our basic nature, which does not allow us to keep without doing any thing.

So, 2 things are needed. 1. Total control over senses. (2) doing appropriate karma keeping senses under control (v.7.Karma).

What is appropriate Karma?

V.9.(karma yoga) explains – If actions are done with the mindset of Yagna, which means and includes all selfless, beneficial acts, such karma becomes a yagna and such karma does not bind you at all. We must remember that karma arises out of the three gunas – and the mind-body complex cannot escape karma. But, such karma, if done for selfless, beneficial purposes, the three gunas cannot bind us with the karma any more. The yagnas are classified as five types.(i)Those beneficial to the powers of nature or the gods – are called Deva yagnas. (ii) those beneficial to the ancient and current sages and saints are called Rishi Yagnas. (iii) those beneficial to our ancestors (dead and living) are called pitru yagnas (iv) those beneficial to all human beings are called manushya yagnas and (v) those beneficial to all other living beings are  called bhootha yagnas.

We must take what remains after the Pancha maha yagnas only. This must be our daily routine (v.13.Karma). Lord Krishna says – I am also doing Karma, though I have nothing more to gain in this universe (v.22.Karma).

All actions happening in the nature are because of the three Gunas – and the same nature, with the same three gunas is functioning in us as well, propelling us into various actions. The fool thinks that he is the DOER. He does not realize that he is propelled into action by the nature’s three Gunas.

But, those wise men, who realize the nature of the three gunas in them, which are propelling them into action – become capable of mastering them without becoming their prisoners (v.28.Karma).

But, those who do not so realize – become always slaves of the three gunas. It is not wise to tell them directly about this eternal truth about the three Gunas controlling them - and confuse them. They need to be slowly made to realize the truth in a very gradual way. (v.29 Karma).

Arjuna asks in  v.36 of Karmayoga : Why do people commit crimes? What is it that forcibly makes me commit bad acts, crimes etc?

This is the question – that every Individual should ask himself / herself? Why people kill? Why people steal? Why people rape? Why?

Some people are always involved in doing good, helpful, compassionate, beneficial deeds. Why is that? But, some other are involved in bad deeds – almost as if they cannot live without them, as if some thing in them is inducing them to do them. What is that force? That force is part of the three gunas.

Lord Krishna names Kama or desire as the first culprit. Next comes anger – (vs.17.Karma).

Other things follow like desire(Kama), anger(Krodha), greed(lobha), lust(moha), pride(madha), jealousy /enmity(mathsarya), fear (Bhay) etc –which are the internal enemies which propel us into crimes, and also, take away all of our happiness.

Lord Krishna says – Your wisdom and intelligence are enveloped by the twin forces of desire and anger and do not allow you to see the reality. For the fire of desire which is burning in you, however much you give to it as its food (aajyam), it will not be enough.(v.39.Karma)

Now – all acts start in 3 places in the body. Body itself has no doership in it. Our Acts start in the sense instruments – then go the mind (manas) and from there to the Buddhi. But Buddhi is not enveloped by these – it can protect us – by giving proper advice. (v.40). If Sense Instruments are kept under control – rest of body and mind are usually taken care of. But, if we let them lose – they will get into all problems with desire and anger (kama and Krodha) and envelop the mind and Buddhi both.(V.41).The sense instruments are so powerful in making us and in destroying us (v.42).

Devotion or Sraddha is needed to transcend the Gunas – With it, comes wisdom(Jnanam), and with wisdom(Jnanam) comes peace (v.39)(jnana karma sannyasa yoga).

While we will see the characteristics of the three gunas, one by one later – let us first understand a few basics.

All gunas bind the man in some way or other. In the same man also – some times Sathva guna may predominate, some times rajas and some times thamas.

None of the gunas are to be totally avoided. They have a purpose for every man, in some proportion.

In Sraddhathraya vibhaga yoga of Gita, discussion is carried forward on Gunathraya by Lord Krishna. He says, those with sathva Guna will worship the God, while those with Rajas will worship Yakshas and Rakshasas, while those with thamas will worship prethas and Bhoothas. This is not to be taken literally – but with its deeper meaning that God stands for peace and calm; Yakshas and Rakshasas stand for selfish action; while prethas and bhoothas stand for cruelty, fear and laziness. These are the characteristics actually worshipped by the people with the three Gunas.

Food also is of sathva, rajas and Thamas types.

Yajna, tapas and daanam are also according to the 3 Gunas. So all life-acts are performed in accordance with the internal-dominance of the 3 Gunas on us.

Cntd…in next Post.

BABA RAMDEVJI'S INDEFINITE FAST = WHY NOT A SANYASI = WHY NOT YOU? = THIS IS SPIRITUALITY IN ESSENCE

BABA RAMDEVJI’S FAST

BABA RAM DEVJI has undertaken an indefinite fast – against the prevailing atmosphere of corruption and Black money – which is hitting at the roots of the country’s economy.

Some questions are being raised against the fast by some of the critics. But, I find that the criticism against the fast are unjustified – and not the fast.

1.  Whether a Sanyasi can undertake such a fast? Sanyasis have taken up the fight against Adharma many times earlier. Sage Viswamitra was instrumental in inducting Rama into several of the Martial arts and inciting him to kill the Raakshasaas. Sage Vasishta had supported had also supported this vehemently – as this results in Lok kalyaan. Today – admittedly and undoubtedly , corruption and Black money have reached extraordinary proportions, hitting at the lives of all people of the country, and reducing the country’s name and fame into mockery. If the Kings do not wake up – the sanyasi has to wake them up. There is no other way. Let us understand – that all other Gurus are solidly supporting Baba Ram Devji in this Fast. Sri Sri Ravishankar has supported Baba Ram devji and said – he also would have joined the Fast but for international consequences. They know what they are supporting – dharma – against Adharma – as simple as that. 

2.  Why he should not join Politics then? No need at all. He is not against any Individual, or party or community. He is against corruption.

3.  Should a Corrupt person be hanged? Well. If a minister or administrator has swindled money to the extent of, say,  Rs.100 crores – even the threat of death penalty is needed for him. Then only, some fear will be there against corruption in high places. Now – there is no fear at all. For lesser corruption, lesser punishments are needed. But look at what is happening now – if a Police man indulges in corruption – he is merely transferred. There is no punishment at all. That should change. Some deterrent punishment should be there.

4.  Baba RamDevji’s Property  of over Rs.1000 crores : Critics must understand that Ram Devji’s services to people is worth several crores of crores of rupees – and is invaluable. He is the only one on the face of earth – who has assured – look, your BP is curable. Do this. All of your diseases are curable. Do Yoga. Do pranayama. And so on. There is no doctor on earth – who has done this. Many people have benefitted because of him. I say – from my personal experience. I have attended his Yog sibir for one week  and have been practicing ever since. And, His methods work – I can say from my own experience. Secondly – where is this money of over Rs.1000 crores now? Is it in this Pocket? Absolutely not. All this over Rs.1000 crores is again benefitting lakhs of people – poor and middle class people only.  There is no other Individual in India – who is doing this level of service. He is popularizing the greatest Indian sciences of Yog and Ayurved among Indians – irrespective of religion, region, caste and language. If people pay him – they pay – happily and voluntarily. It is not a quid-pro-quo like “ I will give you this license or that, you give me that”. The Rs1000 cr  has not come towards Ram Devji in that way. Yet look at what he eats and wears. His life hasn’t changed a wee bit.

5.  I am curious – why is the press / media  finding out great crimes when Police is there? Your duty is only reporting news – not doing detective work into crimes of  Police, ministers and others. You do it – and feel it is OK. But, if Ram Devji does it – you say – a sanyasi should not do it! why not? You do it, because the administrative systems are failing badly. If you are only reporting news given by them – it is obviously not enough. Today – the media is trying to set right the administrative systems. The Judiciary is doing it. In fact, Every one has to do it today. Why don’t you apply the same logic to Baba Ram Devji? The systems have failed too badly. Therefore he is doing it.  People are with him. Please understand that people understand Baba Ram Devji – better than you understand people. Democracy survives only if every one is vigilant. Not otherwise. If systems are working well – agitations are needed at all. No one says a word against our Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh -  because, we all know he is not personally corrupt and he is quite above board. But, it is time, he breaks the political shackles and acts.

This is the epitome of spirituality. Not against spirituality.

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