3 faiths

January 23, 2005

I was wondering if someone could explain to me in a way I can more understand the 3 different faiths: Sattwa, rajas, and tamas.

January 24, 2005

"The fourfold order was created by Me according to the division of gunas and actions.

Though I am its author, know Me to be the non-doer, immutable

Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 4, verse 13

The entire creation is the interplay of the three gunas. When the primal equilibrium of sattva, rajas and tamas is disturbed, they begin to interact and creation begins. All three must be present in every aspect of creation because, with creation, the process of evolution begins and this needs two forces opposed to each other and one that is complementary to both.

Sattva and tamas are opposed to each other, while rajas is the force complementary to both. Tamas destroys the created state; sattva creates a new state while the first is being destroyed. In this way, through the simultaneous process of creation and destruction, the process of evolution is carried on. The force of rajas plays a necessary but neutral part in creation and destruction; it maintains a bond between the forces of sattva and tamas. Thus all three gunas are necessary for any state of manifested life.

fourfold order': mathematically, the three gunas may combine with each other in six possible ways. The first Guna is the primary element, and the other is the secondary element.

Sattva - Rajas

Sattva - Tamas

Rajas - Sattva

Rajas - Tamas

Tamas - Sattva

Tamas - Rajas

Combinations of 2 and 5 are not possible because of the contrast in the nature of sattva and tamas. Thus the three gunas have only four possible combinations.

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, The Bhagavad Gita: Chapters 1-6"

this is a summary from http://www.supertarot.co.uk/magic/3guna.htm