Categorization of Knowledge,
Action, Doer according to Gunas
Sri Krishna
said, “The knowledge, the action, the doer, these three are further classified
according to their gunas in the science of Gunas (Sankhya philosophy). Hear them from
Me.”
The wisdom by which one perceives the one entity among all beings,
an eternal sense of unity among the myriads of (apparent) different forms, is
called Sattvik knowledge.
The knowledge that creates the idea of difference and separateness,
the various forms, thereby giving rise to the notion of individual entities and
ideas is called Rajasik
knowledge.
By which one is attached to one idea or action as if it constitutes
the whole, the one and only one purpose of existence, without meaning, devoid of
significance, with poor understanding, is called Tamasik knowledge.
The great wisdom which perceives the grand unity which
pervades the whole universe, irrespective of the apparent differences existing
in nature is Sattvik knowledge,
because it seeks the fundamental truth. A knowledge which understands the
differences as differences without interpreting any hidden meaning, and
therefore is concerned with a specific segment (like religion, nation, culture)
among these different sets is called Rajasik knowledge. Tamasik knowledge is fundamentalism,
bigotry etc. For instance a tamasik
knowledge would consider one religion or caste or nation to be superior to
everything else and therefore would try to dominate others using fire and sword.
Therefore this knowledge understands very little, does not think about others
(except for the interest group to which it belongs) and is wholeheartedly
attached to the activity of propagating that one idea even at the cost and
exclusion of the others. It is very dangerous and intolerant.
The work that is done in an unattached manner, in a spirit devoid
of anger and attraction, as stipulated or regular duty (as per the injunctions
of the scripture), without desiring the fruits is called Sattvik work.
The work that is performed out of desire of fruits and assuming the
“doer” attitude, with much effort, is called Rajasik work.
The work which results in bondage, destruction, violence, without
any consideration of the ability (to perform such a work), one which is started
out of delusion is called Tamasik
work.
Any action performed in detached spirit, as per
mandates in the scripture, i.e. as per societal and religious norm (e.g. battle
for a Kshatriya, ablutions and worship for a Brahmin, feeding
others and charities for householders etc.), which is done without any passion,
in a selfless manner, without expecting any reward, recognition, name, fame,
fortune or merit is called Sattvik. Such a work is devoid of ego, pride
or vanity. Any work which is done with passion, attachment, desiring merits and
other fruits, for fulfilling selfish needs, with ego, i.e. acting and behaving
like a doer, with much effort for the sake of the fruits, is called
Rajasik work. Much of the actions performed in this world are
Rajasik. A Tamasik work is binding, slavery out of delusion,
in a vengeful, hateful, lustful spirit, may be for causing deliberate injury or
dangerous, careless actions which may cause injuries and violence, out of
cruelty, cowardice and sloth. This is the worst form of work, like plotting to
cause harm to others, a terrorist attack, personal vendetta, reckless behavior
causing great harm to the society out of ignorance or otherwise etc. A
tamasik work is deplorable and condemnable in most cases, causing
distinct harm to others and resulting in severe demerit to the perpetrator. A
tamasik work is neither mindful of the ability of the one who is
carrying out the work, nor the severity of the consequences (like loss of lives
etc.) which may result to others.
The doer who is devoid of attachment, who does not have a trace of
ego, who is full of patience and enthusiasm (for any noble, selfless venture),
who is indifferent to success and failure in all endeavors, is called Sattvik.
A Rajasik is one who is
attached (to the work and all which he deems as his “own”), who performs work
for the sake of the fruits, greedy, passionate and impure, and who is swayed by
the twin emotions of pleasure and pain.
One who is devoid of devotions, only concerned with the worldly
affairs, impudent, deceiver, who hurls insults, is slothful, despondent, and
procrastinating, is called Tamasik.
A Sattvik doer does not regard oneself as
the doer. He treats himself as an instrument acting on divine will and therefore
is always eager and enthusiast to perform any work with a selfless spirit,
without desiring any fruits or merits for self. He is not bothered about
personal gains and is not attached to the work. Therefore even if the work fails
he is not in the least bothered and starts afresh. A Rajasik worker on the other hand always
hankers after fruits and rewards, if not in this life, for the afterlife like
heavens and associated pleasures. He is under the influence of the pairs of
opposites like pleasures and pains, aversion and attachment. The actions
performed by him are not selfless. He is egoist and assumes that he is the doer
and therefore is affected by the praises and blames, i.e. the nature of the
outcome – success or failure. A Tamasik on the other hand is worldly,
selfish to the core, lazy (i.e. not willing to work hard for self improvement
and gains), looks for easy gains, even by deceiving others and by dishonest and
corrupt ways, is impudent, i.e. won’t pay due respect to those deserving it, at
times may be insulting to good people i.e. quarrelsome and ever inclined to
blame others for their own faults, gets despondent easily on seeing adversities
which are their own creation, i.e. has no self respect or courage, always
willfully procrastinates in the name of deliberation.
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