Satwa, Tamas and Rajas are the three gunas that are important components of the mind. These three gunas are collectively called Trigunas. Trigunas word is composed of ‘Tri’ means three and ‘Gunas’ are basically the quality of a person These gunas are as important as the doshas of the body. The gunas are the energies of the mind. According to Ayurveda, people are described on the basis of Manasa Prakriti (psychological constitution). Manasa prakriti is dependent on the prominence of the three gunas.
Though, every individual has a mixed proportions of all the three gunas, but the predominance of any gunas determine the manasa prakriti of a person, balances the body and maintains the health of the body. Any disturbance in any of the gunas lead to several types of mental disorders. This article discusses about all the three gunas in detail.
Triguna in Ayurveda
The following are the three gunas:
- Rajas — It is the most active of the three gunas. Stimulation and motion are its characteristics. It is the energy or the force of motion, which brings the parts of tamas and satwas closer. Due to the quality of rajas guna, there is presence of all the wishes, desire, fickle mindedness and ambitions. Rajas guna dominant individual have dominance of pitta dosha and they are considered to be intellectual and they are regarded to be very approachable in life very humane.
- Satwa — Satwa guna is characterized by the clarity, consciousness, lightness and pleasure. It is pure and free from any disease. It can’t be disturbed in any manner. This guna helps activate the senses and it is also responsible for perception of knowledge. Satwa guna dominant individuals are called Satwika and they are regarded as the spiritual and noble in character.
- Tamas — Tamas guna is characterized by immunity and heaviness. Those individuals who have dominance of tamas guna are generally lethargic and dull. This guna is characterized by producing disturbance in perception processes and other activities of the mind.
Thus, due to the predominance of any the above gunas, determines the psychological constitution of mind. Imbalance in any kind of gunas, result in various mental disorders. The balance of tamas and rajas are disturbed by stress condition, desires and negative thoughts. To maintain a healthy body and mind, one should try to balance the three gunas.
