Three Gunas that control all embodied beings according to Bhagavad Gita
Have you ever wondered why you can feel restlessness, anxiety, or distress one moment and love, happiness, and bliss the next?
Well!!
Let’s begin from the start!
In Bhagavad Gita,Lord Krishna states:
सत्त्वं रजस्तम इति गुणा : प्रकृति सम्भवा : | नि बध्नन्ति महा बा हो देहे देहि नमव्ययम्
|| 5||
sattvaṁ rajas tama iti guṇāḥ prakṛiti-sambhavāḥ nibadhnanti mahā-bāho dehe dehinam avyayam
Meaning:
In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna states that all embodied souls works under three modes of Material Nature.These modes bind the eternal soul to the perishable body.
“The way we think, the things we do, the people we encounter, and the food we consume can all be categorised as Satvic, Rajasik, or Tamasik.”
Considering our modern lifestyles,the toxin and stress we create in daily lives creates an imbalance within which oscillates between Rajasik and Tamasik modes.
To Transcend ourselves to a Satvic Mode, we need proper lifestyle comprising of Healthy Diet, Yoga and Meditation.
Healthy Diet:
When it comes to our food,it can also be Satvic,Rajasik and Tamasik.
In the Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 17, Lord Krishna explains what is Satvic, Rajasik and Tamasik food.
- For Satvic food, Lord krishna in the Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 17 verse 8, states:
आयु:सत्त्वबलारोग्यसुखप्रीतिविवर्धना: |
रस्या: स्निग्धा: स्थिरा हृद्या आहारा: सात्त्विकप्रिया: || 8||ayuh-sattva-balarogya-sukha-priti-vivardhanah
rasyah snigdhah sthira hridya aharah sattvika-priyah
Meaning:
Persons in the satvic (goodness) mode prefer foods that increase life span,strength or virtue,purify one’s being in the existence and promotes happiness and satisfaction. Such foods are juicy,wholesome or nourishing and naturally tasteful.
Satvic Foods:
- All Fresh Fruits: melons, oranges, apple, pear, grapes, etc
- All Vegetables: bottle-gourd, ridge-gourd, carrots, coriander, all leafy greens, etc
- Whole Fats: coconut, soaked nuts & seeds etc.
- Whole Grains: whole wheat (specially with chokar), brown rice
2. For Rajasik food, Lord krishna in the Bhagavad Gita,Chapter 17 verse 9,states:
कट्वम्ललवणात्युष्णतीक्ष्णरूक्षविदाहिन: |
आहारा राजसस्येष्टा दु:खशोकामयप्रदा: || 9||kaṭv-amla-lavaṇāty-uṣhṇa- tīkṣhṇa-rūkṣha-vidāhinaḥ
āhārā rājasasyeṣhṭā duḥkha-śhokāmaya-pradāḥ
Meaning:
People in the Rajasik (Passion) mode prefer foods that are too bitter,too sour,salty,pungent,dry and hot and full of chillies. Such foods produce and cause pain,distress,grief and disease.
Rajasik Foods:
- Sharp Flavours :excess of salt, red chili, garam masala, asafoetida (heeng) etc
- Hot Drinks: very hot water, very hot herbal tea
3. For Tamasik food, Lord krishna in the Bhagavad Gita,Chapter 17 verse 10, states:
यातयामं गतरसं पूति पर्युषितं च यत् |
उच्छिष्टमपि चामेध्यं भोजनं तामसप्रियम् || 10||yāta-yāmaṁ gata-rasaṁ pūti paryuṣhitaṁ cha yat
uchchhiṣhṭam api chāmedhyaṁ bhojanaṁ tāmasa-priyam
Meaning:
Food that has been cooked for more than three hours before eaten,is tasteless,stale,decomposed and uncleaned too,is dear to the people in the Tamasik mode.
Tamasik Foods:
- Stale Food: Everything packaged, bottled, tinned, or canned
- Meat, Fish & Eggs
- Stimulants: onion, garlic, tea, coffee, alcohol, cigarettes etc.
Effects of Satvic, Rajasik and Tamasik on the Mind:
If one starts following a Satvic diet or food, then gradually,thoughts will change, bringing more clarity,humility and a sense of satisfaction with oneself.This,in turn help in achieving elevating to a higher state of consciousness.
One starts to feels closer to Mother Nature or Cosmic Consciousness.
