In the previous episode, we had witnessed Bhagawan Krishna concluding the discussion on the sixteenth “Adhyaaya” by advising Arjuna that all his actions in this world should be strictly in accordance with the “Shaastras” and at any point in time he should not deviate from what the “Shaastras” say. If he does so, they would be counted as “Adharmic” acts. This advice is not only for Arjuna from Bhagawan Krishna, but for all of us as well. Whatever actions we perform every passing day, should be of benefit to others and should be as per the “Dharma” rule book. We’ve to ensure that Bhagawan Krishna’s words are followed at all times. Of course on the outward angle this might look a bit complicated, but if we delve deeply, whatever Bhagawan Krishna says is quite simple and easy for anybody to follow in this world. All that Bhagawan is saying is to be truthful, honest and sincere in whatever we’re doing. If we’re able to follow this in our actions, obviously Bhagawan is going to hand-hold us and bring us closer to Him. So it is up to us to put that effort in the right direction and take the right step towards Bhagawan.
Now as we move into the seventeenth “Adhyaaya”, Bhagawan Krishna is going to classify those actions pertaining to “Dharma” into three categories – those actions pertaining towards “Sathva Guna”, “Rajo Guna” and “Tamo Guna”. This is going to be quite interesting here. Bhagawan Krishna says thus, “Oh Arjuna! Now you’ve to categorize all your actions into three types – For instance, the food that you consume has three types – “Saathvika Aahara”, “Raajasa Aahaara” and “Taamasa Aahara”. When you experience “Sukham” (Happiness), this is also of three types – “Saathvika Sukham”, “Raajasa Sukham” and “Taamasa Sukham”. When you exhibit “Shraddha” towards your actions, there are three types in this also – “Saathvika Shraddha”, “Raajasa Shraddha” and “Taamasa Shraddha”! Similarly, when you offer a “Dhaanam” towards someone, it can also be classified into three – “Saathvika Dhaanam”, “Raajasa Dhaanam” and “Taamasa Dhaanam”! So Arjuna! You should clearly be able to differentiate between these three categories in whatever you’re doing and you should be doing only those that pertain to the “Saathvika Guna” and reject the “Raajasa” and “Taamasa” parts!”
This might be quite simple for Bhagawan to explain, but it might require some in-depth understanding for us here. For instance, if we take the example of “Dhaanam”, how can we have three classifications here? If we offer the “Dhaanam” with an intention that by doing so, we will get name and fame, it is “Raajasa Dhaanam”. If we offer the “Dhaanam” with a lot of hue and cry and with a lot of reluctance, it is categorized as “Taamasa Dhaanam”. Whereas, if we do the offering with our 100% heart and with a lot of love and affection, it is categorized as “Saathvika Dhaanam”. Hence, Bhagawan says that we should embrace this category of “Dhaanam” and reject the other two. Similarly, if we consider food, we’ve seen Bhagawan classifying it into three, isn’t it? If we have too much spice in the food that we consume, then it comes under “Raajasa Aahaara” and if we have too much of fat and carbohydrate content in the food, it comes under “Taamasa Aahaara”. Thus, the food which has a balance of everything is what Bhagawan calls “Saathvika Aahaara”, and this is what Bhagawan wants us to consume!
So in similar lines, we have to understand the three classifications of all the actions that we perform and we should carve out the “Saathvika” part of the actions while rejecting the “Raajasa” and “Taamasa” components of them. So for today, let us understand this point very clearly and in the next episode, we shall take this discussion further! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 