The
Trigunas
Just
as the doshas are the essential components
of the body, the three gunas
- Satwa, Rajas and Tamas
- are the three essential components or energies of the
mind. Ayurveda provides a distinct
description of people on the basis of their Manasa
(psychological) Prakriti (constitution).
Genetically determined, these psychological
characteristics are dependent on the relative dominance of
the three gunas.
While
all individuals have mixed amounts of the three, the
predominant guna determines an individual's mansa
prakriti. In
equilibrium, the three gunas preserve the
mind (and indirectly the body), maintaining it in a
healthy state. Any disturbance in this equilibrium results
in various types of mental disorders.
Satwa, characterised by lightness, consciousness,
pleasure and clarity, is pure, free from disease and
cannot be disturbed in any way. It activates the senses
and is responsible for the perception of knowledge. Rajas,
the most active of the gunas, has motion and
stimulation as its characteristics. All desires, wishes,
ambitions and fickle-mindedness are a result of the same.
While Tamas is characterised by heaviness
and resistance. It produces disturbances in the process of
perception and activities of the mind. Delusion, false
knowledge, laziness, apathy, sleep and drowsiness are due
to it.
Rajas
and Tamas,
as with the doshas, can be unbalanced by
stress and negative desires as kama (lust), irshya
(malice), moha (delusion and halucination), lobha
(greed), chinta (anxiety), bhaya
(fear) and krodha (anger). Each of these
three properties is also comprised of sub-types and the
particular sub-type to which one belongs to determine the
qualities of that individual.
Satwika
individuals are usually noble and spiritual in character,
their nature determined as much by body type as their star
constellation, having an element of kapha
in their constitution.
|
Satwika
Subtype Qualities
|
|
Brahma
|
Free
from passion, anger, greed, ignorance or jealousy,
possessing knowledge and the power of
discrimination.
|
|
|
Arsa
|
Excellent
memory, purity, love and self -control, excellent
intellectual frame of mind, free from pride, ego,
ignorance, greed or anger. Possessing the power of
understanding and retention.
|
|
Aindra
|
Devotion
to sacred books, study rituals and oblations.
Devotion to virtuous acts, far- sightedness and
courage. Authoritative behaviour and speech. Able
to perform sacred rituals.
|
|
Yamya
|
Free
from mean and conflicting desires and acts. Having
initiative, excellent memory and leadership. Free
from emotional binds, hatred, ignorance and envy.
The capacity for timely action.
|
|
Varuna
|
Free
from mean acts. Exhibition of emotion in proper
place. Observance of religious rights.
|
|
Kabera
|
Courage,
patience, and hatred of impure thoughts. Liking
for virtuous acts and purity. Pleasure in
recreation.
|
|
Gandharva
|
Possession
of wealth, attendants and luxuries. Expertise in
poetry, stories and epics. Fondness for dancing
singing and music. Takes pleasure in perfumes,
garlands and flowers. Full of passion.
|
Pitta
dominated Rajasikas, intellectually oriented but vulnerable to temptations,
are very human in their character and approach to life.
|
Rajasika
Subtype Qualities
|
|
Asura
|
Indulgence
in self-praise, bravery, cruelty, envy and
ruthlessness. Terrifying appearance.
|
|
|
Raksasa
|
Excessive
sleep and indolence. Envious disposition. Constant
anger, intolerance, and cruel behaviour.
Gluttonous habits.
|
|
Paisala
|
Unclean
habits. Cowardly, with a terrifying disposition.
Gluttonous habits. Fondness for the opposite sex.
Abnormal diet and regimen.
|
|
Sarpa
|
Sharp
reactions. Excessive indolance. Frequent fearful
disposition. Brave or cowardly attitude depending
on situations.
|
|
Praita
|
Excessive
desire for food. Envious character. Excessive
greediness and actions without discrimination.
|
|
Sakuna
|
Full
of passion. Unsteadiness, ruthlessness, and
excessive attitude for food.
|
A
dominant Vata ensures
that Tamasika
individuals are the most down to earth, concerned about
fundamental questions of practical existence, specially
when confronted by more spiritual and less physical
issues.
|
Tamasika
Subtype Qualities
|
|
Pasava
|
Lack
of intelligence, forbidding dispositions, envious
nature. Excessive sexual indulgence and sleep.
|
|
|
Matsya
|
Unsteadiness,
constant passion, and cowardice. Excessive desire
for water intake.
|
|
Banaspatya
|
Indolence.
Excessive indulgence in food. Deficiency of
intellectual faculties.
|
Introduction
| Panchamahabhutas
| Tridoshas
| Trigunas | Agni
| Dhatus
| Malas
|
