Elements - Satva - Rajas - Tamas

As we are heading towards a New Moon in Taurus and as I am feeling a lack of energy/will to start any new series, I just thought of writing on the 3 elements Sat-Raj-Tam, which I mentioned in last session on fate vs free will (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdcRPoSSgd0&t=19s), and how they make us or we allow them to make us perform some action, good-bad-ugly.

So, content is from Bhagwad Geeta where Arjun asked Krishna as to when none in this world wants to commit anything wrong or evil then how does evil happen? Who makes us do evil?

Krishna replies and Osho interprets it like this -

1. Different people from different times have given different responses to this question. Those who didn’t go much deep, they said there is another power beyond God and that is Devil. Devil makes us do wrong actions. But this response is neither logical nor scientific because a thoughtful person like Arjun would say that it means Devil is more powerful than God. If it is so then let me worship Devil only.

2. Then there are few people who went deep into finding answer and came up with the concept that it is neither God nor Devil, but this nature/life/Universe functions on the basis of 3 elements or Guna. These are Satva, Rajas and Tamas. Rajas is a creative force. Tamas is a destructive or stopping force. Satva is the balancing point between the two.

3. Then we get reference of these 3 elements in different walks of life too. Like, Science has also accepted that Atom can finally be broken into 3 parts, i.e. Proton, Electron and Neutron. Proton is like Rajas, a positive force. Electron is like Tamas, a negative force. And Neutron is like Satva, the neutral or balancing point.

4. We can see it in religious metaphors too where Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh perform similar actions to Rajas, Satva and Tamas respectively. Actually, the word GOD is made of G-Generator, O – Organizer and D – Destroyer.

5. So, when we say that this nature/life/Universe functions on the basis of Satva, Rajas and Tama Guna, it means that we all are born with these 3 elements or qualities within ourselves. We all have some creative tendencies which are reflective of Rajas element. We all have anger or malefic desires which are reflective of Tamas element. And we all can use wisdom or awareness to balance Rajas & Tamas, which is Satva element.

6. Then we think that Tamas is a negative energy, hence it is considered as an evil energy. We feel that Tamas is destructive or energy of stoppage, hence it should not be there. But every energy is there for a purpose. The gravitational pull of Earth is nothing but Tamas energy which keeps us on Earth else we would be flying around in Universe. If there is no Tamas element then people will start walking and will never be able to stop themselves which would lead to an insane death. So, every element is necessary for our life if it is utilized in a balanced proportion.

7. Best example to understand it is someone driving a vehicle. Accelerator is Rajas element, necessary to move forward. Brake is Tamas element, necessary to stop at desired destination or in urgent situations. The Satva between these 2 elements is that Driver who is using both accelerator and brakes judiciously.

8. Now, if someone is driving too fast then there is chance of accident. Likewise, if someone is putting brakes every now and then without thinking then there is chance of accident. You want driver to be aware and wise to balance between accelerator and brake.

9. Likewise, every element is necessary and good when it is used within its limitations or purposes. Once we utilize it in excess then there is every possibility of an evil act taking place.

10. Like, if someone focuses too much on Rajas, which is also pleasure giving element, that person can commit crime if his need of pleasure is not satisfied. Likewise, if a person focuses too much on Tamas energy then it can also lead to destructions. All we need is balance between two, i.e. Satva element to be active within us.

11. This is where I said in session that we can control over actions in the moment when a thought 1st came in mind. If it is an evil thought (Tamas energy) and person is wise and alert (Satva Element), he won’t give much energy and attention to it and move to another thought. But if the person is unaware and he pursues that thought, acts or speaks about it then energy is out in the universe and universe is bound to respond to it. Then it has gone out of your limits of free will and you can’t do anything but to wait for the destiny to show its results.

12. So, evil actions happen when someone gives too much attention or energy on either of Rajas or Tamas element. But if person pays attention to Satva energy then things can remain in balance.

13. Last but not the least, attention towards Satva energy can only be developed through meditation and awareness.

Hope this helps. Thanks, 

SPB