Significane of Three Gunas in Hinduism

Guna has a two-fold meaning of “quality” in both its meaning. Its first connotation is “Physical characteristic” while its second connotation is value, virtue, work. It indicates the ‘attitude’ with which the mind works.

“Sattva, rajas and tamas – these Prakriti – produced gunas unite the body to the atman. (Gita)”

Human beings are an inter-mixture in varying proportions of three guna or qualities – physical, mental and spiritual. These three indifferent proportions influence the mental and intellectual caliber of every individual, and these influences provide the distinct flavor in each personality.

Sattava – Rajas – Tamas

Light – Grayness – Darkness

Truth – Diplomacy – Untruth

The blend of these Gunas determines whether a person is Karma Yogi, Jnana Yogi or Bhakti Yogi. However, every human being has the free will and the power to modify and improve his or her guna dharma.

A seeker, who is sensitive enough to recognize the various influences under which he is forced to function in the world outside, will be successful in discarding all wrong impulses, immoral tendencies and unethical urges. He will detect within himself the secret capacity to keep himself safely balanced in righteous living, in self-control and in serene purity.