In the previous episode, we had witnessed the continuation of the discussion on some intricate aspects of the “Karma Theory” that our Sanaatana Dharma texts establish time and again. Here too, in the Shrimad Bhaagawatha Puranaa, Bhagawan Krishna elucidates and reiterates the theory to Uddhava and explains the significance of “detachment”. In these lines, we had witnessed yesterday as to how different people view the same situation differently and what makes people perform their “Karma”, irrespective of whether it is “Paapa” or “Punya”. We had a detailed discussion on how the three important “Gunas” – Satva, Rajas and Tamas try to overpower each other at critical situations, which is why different people react differently to the same situation. We should remember here that all of us have all the three “Gunas” manifested in us at all times. This is because, all of us take birth in this world as a result of our past “Karma” and the extent to which our “Karma” is good or bad, would trigger one of the three “Gunas” to be exhibited at different situations. We have understood this concept clearly in the previous episode and with this, we shall move on with an illustration for this point in this episode as we move on.
For instance, if someone is performing a “Saptaaham” of Shrimad Bhaagawatha Puraana. We already know the concept of “Saptaaham” – That is, this Shrimad Bhaagawatha Puraana is divided into seven different segments and is to be recited and experienced for seven continuous days. If we are also part of the seven-day event, we might see some people attending the event for five or six days, but wouldn’t be able to make it up for the seventh day for whatsoever reason. How can this absence be viewed by different people? For instance, if my “Satva Guna” is being manifested over and above the other two “Gunas”, what would I think? I would think thus, “Oh! Perhaps these people couldn’t make it for the last couple of days, because they might have had an emergency situation at their homes. Or, they might have fallen sick! They’ve attended for five continuous days, and ultimately, they would have intended to come for the remaining two days as well! However, they might have not made it because of some genuine reasons!” This can be the thought process that might run behind a person for whom the “Satva Guna” is dominating.
Now, if this same situation is to be viewed by a person for whom the “Rajo Guna” is dominating, what he / she would say? “Oh! How can they bunk this important event like this, without any Bhakti in them? If we would have bunked like this, will they be silent and happy? These people aren’t very professional in whatever they do! They’re so irregular! They’ve come all the way for five days and what’s wrong if they attend it for two more days?” We shall clearly see the difference here, isn’t it? If the “Rajo Guna” is starting to dominate in ourselves, it manifests through unwanted anger, jealousy, etc. against others. Now, if this same situation is to be viewed by a person for whom the “Tamo Guna” is dominating – What would he / she say? “Oh! I was thinking that only I was feeling sleepy all through the five days of the Bhaagawatha Puraana discourse! When I look around, I see many people sleeping like how I do! Although there are so many people who had come to attend the seven-day event, but how many of them would have clearly understood and experienced the discourse fully for all the seven days?” This might be the thought process for those with the “Tamo Gona” dominating! We can see here that their laziness, sleepiness, etc. are manifesting through their eyes and other sense organs, isn’t it?
Thus, from this example we can witness here that the situation is the same – Attending the seven-day “Saptaaham” event of Shrimad Bhaagawatha Puraana. But there are three different views for the same event here – A view that is dominated by the “Satva Guna”, “Rajo Guna” and the “Tamo Guna”. If we happen to get the divine darshan of great “Yogis”, “Mahatmas”, “Sadgurus”, etc. we would be able to witness that they would be able to view all situations with the same level of “Satva Guna”. They would always be in a happy and an estatic state of mind, wherein they are matured enough to see Bhagawan in all what they do! This is the highest epitome of the dominance of “Satva Guna”. But, why aren’t we able to attain this state? For instance, if we see two people fighting with each other, we should have that maturity to see the good in both of them as well, apart from the bad. If for instance, somebody is scolding and abusing me for no reason, I should be able to grasp only the good from that insult or abuse. For this, I should have something special in me, which would enable me to discard the bad and grasp the good. This “something special” is nothing but the “Satva Guna”. Whatever we are seeing around us – if we’re able to witness each and every thing, every living being, every situation, etc. with the dominance of the “Satva Guna”, it is only then that we’re progressing spiritually.
Of course, this is not only applicable for what we see with our eyes. The “Satva Guna” dominance should be for our ears, our nose, our taste and our touch. If the “Satva Guna” is becoming the dominating factor in all our five senses and their outcomes, only then our spiritual progress is going on a steady path. Thus, we should understand this important point today. Now comes the next question – We’ve so far explained that the “Satva Guna” should dominate in whatever we do, isn’t it? How do we know this from whatever we do? What is the proof that the “Satva Guna” is increasing its dominance over the other two “Gunas”? An important answer awaits us in the next episode! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 