In the previous episode, we had witnessed the importance of “Saathvika Aahaaram” and how it is essential for our spiritual progress. We witnessed this point through the words of the meat vendor who is talking with Sage Kaushika on various aspects of “Dharma” – specially the “Dharma” of taking care of our aged parents. As an offshoot, we’ve also witnessed how it is important to stick to our duty which is allotted to us by Bhagawan, but at the same time, the duty should not consume us completely. This is exactly we’re seeing here in the case of the meat vendor – Although his duty is to sell meat, he is not getting consumed by it, in the sense that, he is not getting tempted to eat the meat that he is trying to sell. Thus, the meat vendor clearly knows that the meat that he is selling is never a “Saathvika Aahaaram” and if he consumes it, he will deteriorate in terms of spiritual growth and development. This is an important eye-opener for all of us here – If by any chance we’re under the habit of consuming non-vegetarian food, we should try and come out of it, if we’ve to attain spiritual progress. Thus, “Saathvika Aahaaram” will give us that ample motivation and will serve as a way to control our mind in terms of running behind unwanted desires.
Moving on thus, Sage Kaushika asks the meat vendor the next question here – “Oh Meat Vendor! You’re talking so much about the “Sathva Guna” which seems to grow with your “Saathvika Aahaaram”. How do you understand for yourself whether your “Sathva Guna” is on the rise? How do you understand that the “Rajo Guna” and the “Tamo Guna” are not on the rise?” The meat vendor replies thus, “Oh Sage Kaushika! It is very simple – I observe myself everyday. I observe my behavior, my day-to-day working attitudes, etc. In this, I can declare to myself that my mind is calm, and my patience and tolerance levels are very high. All these are indications that my “Sathva Guna” is very high. If my anger, unwanted desires, temptations, etc. are on the rise, it simply would imply that my “Rajo Guna” is increasing. In similar lines, if my laziness, dejection, dull feeling, confusion, lack of concentration and interest in doing anything, etc. are increasing, it is evident clearly that my “Taamasa Guna is rising! Thus, these are the basic parameters with which we can observe to ourselves, whether we are on the right track. If spiritual development has to happen, definitely our “Sathva Guna” should be on the rise, and the other two “Gunas” should be on the decline! Thus, we can say here that the “Sathva Guna” implies clarity of mind and unending happiness. Similarly, the “Rajo Guna” implies anger, tension, attitude issues, unwanted desires, etc. and the “Tamo Guna” implies excessive laziness, sleep, lack of concentration, etc. Of course, you might ask me another follow-up question here – How can you say that your “Sathva Guna” is dominating in you? How come the other two “Gunas” can completely be zero? Is it possible for a normal human being? My answer to it is very simple – Of course not! All of us have certain elements of “Rajo Guna” and “Tamo Guna” in all of us. It depends on so many factors like the timing of the day. For instance, during the early morning hours after we wake up, our “Sathva Guna” should be very high, because our mind is calm after a good night’s sleep! In similar lines, as we progress through the day, we encounter so many things, wherein our “Rajo Guna” will rise. However, during the end of the day when we go to bed, we are tired after a long day’s work, and with this, our “Tamo Guna” is on the rise. Thus, it is only because of our “Tamo Guna”, we go to sleep during the night.
Thus, we can see here that all the three “Gunas” are present in everybody! However, the question here is very simple – Which “Guna” dominates the other? How do we ensure that the “Sathva Guna” is the one which is dominating the other two at all times? This is where we should obtain the “Atma-Gnyaanam”. Once we’re obtaining this through a lot of spiritual practices, our “Sathva Guna” would automatically rise! This is how our great Maharishis have progressed to high levels of spiritual development. This is what the Maharishis have propagated to all of us as well!” Giving a detailed reply thus, the meat vendor explains the significance of taking care of the aged parents and the “Dharma” behind it. So for today, let us understand these points and let us wait till the next episode to witness what the meat vendor is going to say next! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 