Satvic to Rajassic to Tamassic

In an earlier blog I had talked about Satvic, Rajassic and Tamassic traits in human beings. At various times in one's life each of these traits takes precedence over our actions either to our benefit or to our detriment.


In Bhagavat Gita Krishnan tells Arjunan,

Sarvadwareshu Dehe Asmin
Prakasa upajayathe
Gnanam yada thada vidya
Dwivardham Sathvamithyuma.

When our Five senses are utilized to find the truth then Satvic trait is deemed to be predominant. (Maybe Ramalingam Raju had a predominant Satvic character when he launched Satyam Computers all those years ago. The intentions were noble and the path chosen ideal )


How do we know whether Rajassic Trait is dominating our behaviour?

Lobha pravrithirarambha
Karmanamasama Spruhya
Rajasyethani Jayanthe
Vivrudhe Bharatharshabha

When Rajassic trait increases, one is never satiated. One indulges in new ventures with an aim to make profit. Mind and senses will not be under control. There will be an increased affinity for materialistic pleasures. (The growth period of Raju, his aggessive diversification into real estate business, phenominal growth of the company and greed for making it bigger and better during late 1990's and early 2000's could be symbolic of this)

Then Tamassic trait took over,

Aprakaso pravrithischa
Pramado Moha Eva cha
Thamsyethani Jayanthe
vivrudhe kurunandana

One knows if this trait is more when one notices the inability to distinguish between right and wrong, act recklesslessly, take short cuts, not doing anything, being lazy etc. ( The first three were what Raju indulging in during the last four years)

This a classic example of a human being moving from Satvic to Rajassic to Tamassic state and see how it affected not only him but the society as well.

(Please note that the English translations of the slokas are not done verbatim but contains the essence)