The Three Gunas– Sattva, Rajas, Tamas

One should make attempts to stay in the Sattvik state.

- Dr. Hansaji J. Yogendra

The concept of Gunas is worth Tunderstanding because a lot of philosophical thoughts arise from it. The first is that this entire material world is made up of three Gunas. In other words, the material world has three qualities or characters:

1.Tamas.

The first quality is dull and related to darkness. Any diseased state of the body is a Tamasik state. Idleness and worry are Tamasik states. When any emotion overwhelms us, we are in a Tamasik state. Depression and lack of interest in work stem from a Tamasik state. Asthma, practically all diseases, come under Tamas. Oversleeping, over-activity, all lead to Tamas.

2.Rajas

The second quality is energy, activity. Doing the best, whatever we do, is the Rajasik state.

When we overdo things, we go back into a Tamasik state.

3.Sattva

The third quality comes with intellect (Viveka) .The Sattvik state is one where we perform the right action at the right time after giving it proper thought. There is no inaction here, like it is in