Transcending the Three Guna – A Path to Liberation

The Three Guna: Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas  

1. Sattva (Goodness)  
   Sattva is the mode of goodness characterised by purity, knowledge, and well-being. It binds the soul through attachment to happiness and knowledge.
   तत्र सत्त्वं निर्मलत्वात्प्रकाशकमनामयम् |
   सुखसङ्गेन बध्नाति ज्ञानसङ्गेन चानघ ||
   "Amongst these, sattva guṇa, the mode of goodness, being purer than the others, is illuminating and full of well-being. O sinless one, it binds the soul by creating attachment for a sense of happiness and knowledge." (BG 14.6)
   When sattva predominates, individuals feel light, joyful, and serene. It promotes clarity, wisdom, peace, and virtue. Characteristics such as morality and peacefulness are hallmarks of those in sattva.
2. Rajas (Passion)
   Rajas is the mode of passion, arising from desires and attachments, and it binds the soul through attachment to actions and their results.
   रजो रागात्मकं विद्धि तृष्णासङ्गसमुद्भवम् |
   तन्निबध्नाति कौन्तेय कर्मसङ्गेन देहिनम् ||
   "O Arjun, rajo guṇa is of the nature of passion. It arises from worldly desires and affections and binds the soul through attachment to fruitive actions." (BG 14.7)
   Rajas is responsible for activity in both the body and mind, leading to restlessness, numerous desires, and a feeling of being overwhelmed. It is linked to desire, activity, attachment, and restlessness.
3. Tamas (Ignorance)  
   Tamas is the mode of ignorance, leading to delusion, laziness, and darkness. It binds the soul through attachment to negligence, laziness, and sleep.
   तमस्त्वज्ञानजं विद्धि मोहनं सर्वदेहिनाम् |
   प्रमादालस्यनिद्राभिस्तन्निबध्नाति भारत ||
   "O Arjun, tamo guṇa, which is born of ignorance, is the cause of illusion for the embodied souls. It deludes all living beings through negligence, laziness, and sleep." (BG 14.8)
   Associated with delusion, laziness, and inertia- tamas leads individuals into a state of lethargy, confusion, and ignorance.

• Sattva binds one to material happiness.
• Rajas binds one to actions and desires.
• Tamas binds one to delusion and ignorance.

सत्त्वं सुखे सञ्जयति रज: कर्मणि भारत |
ज्ञानमावृत्य तु तम: प्रमादे सञ्जयत्युत || 

• Sattvic food: Promotes purity, health, and vitality.
• Rajasic food: Creates excitement, passion, and restlessness.
• Tamasic food: Leads to lethargy, dullness, and inertia.

यदा सत्त्वे प्रवृद्धे तु प्रलयं याति देहभृत् |
तदोत्तमविदां लोकानमलान्प्रतिपद्यते ||
रजसि प्रलयं गत्वा कर्मसङ्गिषु जायते |
तथा प्रलीनस्तमसि मूढयोनिषु जायते ||

• Sattva: Leads to higher realms or births of wisdom and virtue.
• Rajas: Leads to human birth with continued desire-driven activity.
• Tamas: Leads to lower births, such as in the animal kingdom.

नान्यं गुणेभ्य: कर्तारं यदा द्रष्टानुपश्यति |
गुणेभ्यश्च परं वेत्ति मद्भावं सोऽधिगच्छति || 

गुणानेतानतीत्य त्रीन्देही देहसमुद्भवान् |
जन्ममृत्युजरादु:खैर्विमुक्तोऽमृतमश्रुते || 

1. Transcending the three guna: Liberated individuals recognise that the guna are not their true selves and rise above their influence.
2. Neutrality to the Modes: They maintain equanimity and detachment, not resenting or desiring the presence or absence of the guna.
3. Established in the Self: Rooted in their true identity, the self (Atman), they remain unaffected by the fluctuations of the mind.
4. Detached Action: They perform their duties without attachment to outcomes, focusing on self-purification and leaving the results to God.
5. Mind vs. Self: They recognise that the guna influences the mind and dissociates from negative thoughts, staying spiritually grounded.

मां च योऽव्यभिचारेण भक्तियोगेन सेवते |
स गुणान्समतीत्यैतान्ब्रह्मभूयाय कल्पते ||

ब्रह्मणो हि प्रतिष्ठाहममृतस्याव्ययस्य च |
शाश्वतस्य च धर्मस्य सुखस्यैकान्तिकस्य च || 

1. Influence of the Three guna  
   The three guna—sattva (purity), rajas (activity), and tamas (inertia)—shape our thoughts, actions, and emotions. Sattva brings clarity and joy, rajas causes restlessness and desire, and tamas leads to ignorance and lethargy.
2. Binding Nature of the guna  
   The guna bind the soul through attachment, keeping it trapped in the cycle of rebirth.
3. Transcending the guna  
   Detaching from the guna and attaching to the Supreme Lord through bhakti allows for transcendence and liberation.
4. Traits of a Liberated Soul  
   A liberated soul remains unaffected by the guna, embodying balance and peace.
5. Ultimate Goal  
   The goal is to rise above the guna and achieve union with the Divine for Spiritual liberation.