Chapter 14: Guṇa-traya-vibhāga-yoga: – Understanding and Transcending the Three Qualities of NatureVerse 9
सत्त्वं सुखे सञ्जयति रज: कर्मणि भारत ।
ज्ञानमावृत्य तु तम: प्रमादे सञ्जयत्युत ॥
sattvaṃ sukhe sañjayati
raja: karmaṇi bhārata
jñānam-āvṛtya tu tama:
pramāde sañjayaty-uta – 14.9
Sattva binds one by comfort and happiness, rajas by activity, O Bhārata. Covering knowledge, tamas binds one by carelessness or inattention.
Chapter 14: Guṇa-traya-vibhāga-yoga: – Understanding and Transcending the Three Qualities of Nature - Verse 9
Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha
Existence and expression, to be complete and vibrant, need to be complex. That is how the three guṇas are there as an inspiring and mutually balancing combination. Due to sattva-guṇa, one is able to gain happiness, delight, which all relish. But existence will not be full and desirable, if not accompanied by the other two guṇas.
Thus rajas has the effect of engaging one in activity, by which the energy provided by food and nourishment is utilized and exhausted. Activity is indispensable for anything to exist. Rajas produces desires in the mind and impels one to act to fulfil the desires.
Equally so is tamo-guṇa’s role. Ignorance caused by tamo-guṇa provides the possibility and need to learn and gain knowledge. Imagine how many branches of knowledge and research we have! How desirable it is to strive for knowledge and grow! Similarly, how important is sleep to become active again!
