Guna -Traya Vibhaga Yoga
The Trigunas – Nature’s Tri-Colored Web
Navigating the Web with ease
The following concepts are covered in Chapter 14:
- SriKrishna’s reiteration of the complete formula of life.
- Explanation of the basis of how varieties of life forms appear.
- Explanation of the basis of all triumphs, unrest, chaos in the world.
- Explanation of how every one can act in perfect freedom and deliver all duties expected from nature.
- Characteristics of a perfected person.
SUMMARY
SriKrishna lays out a map for how one can live in the mortal body, always in contact with the immortal inner Self. This is the basis of total freedom, liberation and highest achievement. SriKrishna explains how one can perform all activities demanded by Nature, without being subjugated by it or being controlled by it. Thereby, one does not get bewildered by the agony of birth and death. Everyone is a born as per the results of the actions of their previous births. The present life is a stage for further progress towards Self-knowledge. With this awareness, one can live, doing all actions in the true spirit of service, without selfishness, being in harmony with oneself, society and nature.
BACKGROUND
In Chapter 13 SriKrishna explained that real knowledge is to know the field and its knower simultaneously – Knowledge of Khsetra and Kshetrajnya. SriKrishna explained both in detail. Kshetra is also called Prakriti or Maya or Kshara aspect of the ONE Divine – Purushottama. This represents the entire, dynamic, mutable, changing aspect of the manifestation in visible universe. Kshetrajnya is the Purusha or Akshara aspect. This is the unchanging, invisible witness hidden in all creatures. SriKrishna explained how varieties of life forms appear. In Chapter 14 SriKrishna now elaborates on the basis of equality and the basis of variation among all creatures. These concepts were introduced briefly in Chapters 3, 7 and 13 (BG 3:5, 3:27,28, 7:13-14, 13:19-23, 13:29).
CONTENTS
The Three Innate Qualities OF PRAKRITI
The Chapter 14 starts with SriKrishna saying: “I will reiterate the highest knowledge. All sages who have resorted to this knowledge have reached the highest perfection. They have also become one with ME”. SriKrishna continues: ” My womb is Mahat Brahma. Into the womb I cast the seed. Thus, all living forms spring forth”. By this it is clear that the all pervading Divine is the Mother AND the Father of the universe. The whole universe is an extension of ONE Divine Being. BG:14:1-4.
Next, SriKrishna explains THE THREE INNATE QUALITIES OF PRAKRITI – The TRIGUNAS. Prakriti, the changing aspect, is a power exercised by of the eternal Divine Being to manifest the world. All living beings have three innate qualities of Prakriti. They are – Sattva, Rajas and Tamas. These three entities always coexist. The quantity and quality of the three constituents, is always dynamic. They always impact, interact and support each other. Prakriti through its three Gunas binds the embodied being giving the appearance of being limited in the ego-mind-body complex. Secret of overcoming the binding power of Gunas is to tap into the innate infinite potential by being ever aware of the fact that Prakriti is only a subordinate instrument of the indwelling Purusha, which is infinite and not subjected to the influence or limitations of the TRIGUNAS. BG:14:5,10.
The properties of three innate qualities – Trigunas of Prakriti.
The Trigunas are Sattva, Rajas and Tamas. The quality of Sattva is purity of knowledge which leads to light and illumination. Sattva binds one to knowledge and happiness. The quality of Rajas is attraction to liking and longing. It creates a desire and greed for objects and binds one by attachment to works. The quality of Tamas is ignorance, negligence and delusion. It binds one to negligence, indolence and sleep. BG:14:6-9.
Effect on a person when each of the Gunas become predominant.
When Sattva is on ascent (having overpowered the other two) there is an intense outflow of light from the body, right perception, understanding and knowledge. When Rajas gains predominance there is action, unrest and desire. When Tamas takes precedence there is darkness that obscures knowledge, resulting in confusion and delusion. BG:14:11-13.
Result of work done while each of the Gunas are predominant and the future course at the dissolution of the body or death.
If Sattva is predominant at the time of death, one attains the world of knowers of higher principles and rise higher, if Rajas is predominant, one will be born among those attached to action and stay in the middle and if Tamas is predominant, one will born in the womb of ignorant and descends downwards. BG:14:14-17.
Secret of not being overpowered by the three Gunas of Prakriti.
One needs to sees the fact that Prakriti -Nature is the cause of all action or movement in the universe. The universe is formed and sustained by the action of Prakriti. Prakriti is the element of the power of projection of the Divine Being – Paramatma, Purushottama, Brahman or eternal consciousness. The eternal Divine Being neither takes on the Gunas of Prakriti nor is affected by them. Not seeing the ever present infinite existence beyond the Gunas binds one to limited existence and one cannot escape from fear, grief and pain. BG:14:18-20.
Since the Divine Being is all pervading and eternally present in all, this is the locus for one to put forth effort to overcome all apparent limitations. Human being is uniquely endowed with the capacity for reason and discretion, he has the responsibility to use this to understand the eternal, unchanging reality behind all appearances, tap into this infinite source and direct all life’s activities towards making them to be Sattva. This explains the emphatic promise by SriKrishna that even the greatest of greatest evil person can turn around and become perfect by resorting to this advice. BG:4:36. One can use all natural urges and abilities to engage in actions that are as pure in motive as possible by recognizing that ONE Divine principle is sustaining everything living and non-living by being present within.
Living in total Freedom.
When one rises above the three Gunas of Prakriti (his whole being will be Sattva), he will be free from the apparent realities of birth and death. Thereby, he is also free from decay, old age, suffering and enjoys the immortality by being OneSelf. At this stage, one works as an instrument of the Divine and gives up desire for fruits of all action as sacrifice to the Divine and lives in perfect freedom. His actions become most beneficial to the society and he becomes immortal. BG:14:18-20.
Characteristics of person who has risen above the three Gunas of Prakriti – Trigunaateeta.
Arjuna asks SriKrishna as to what the characteristics and behavior of a person who lives and participates in the world but has risen above the Three Gunas. (This is very similar to the question Arjuna asked SriKrishna in Chapter 2 about the Sthitaprajnya). SriKrishna gives the following list in reply. Trigunaateeta does not long for or shrink from the actions of Sattva, Rajas or Tamas. He is seated above in the light of his consciousness, not affected by the actions of Prakriti. He receives happiness and suffering in a same manner, the dualities of life do not affect him, he is steadfast in his infinite inner calm, does all his work as an instrument in the hands of Divine. BG:14:21-25.
SriKrishna states the formula for reaching the crown jewel of perfection: “One can reach this state of perfection if he loves and strives after ME with one pointed love and adoration, dedicating all actions to ME. Because, I – the Purushottama am the seat of the immortal and inexhaustible Brahman, of the eternal Dharma and the intense bliss of happiness”. BG:14:26,27.
SriKrishna thus has laid out a map for how one can live in the mortal body, always in contact with the immortal inner Self. SriKrishna makes it clear how one can perform all activities demanded by Nature, without being subjugated by it or being controlled by it. Thus, one can escape being bewildered by the agony of birth and death. This is the basis of total freedom, liberation and highest achievement. This is the way one can use one’s abilities for the highest benefit of OneSelf, society, nature. Human being has the unique capacity for reasoning and discretion. Everyone is a born as per the results of the actions of their previous births. The present life is a stage for further progress towards Self-knowledge. With this awareness, one can live, doing all actions in the true spirit of service, without selfishness, being in harmony with oneself, society and nature.
OM TAT SAT.
Iswari's Gita Summaries 