The Skinny Title
Triguna nature and symptoms :
Three Kinds of Human Nature
There are three kinds of Human nature. These three Gunas are called: Sattva (goodness, constructive, harmonious), Rajas (passion, active, confused), and Tamas (darkness, destructive, chaotic). All humans except Mahapurushas like Azhwar, Acharyas can't be fully free from Rajo, Tamo Gunas as long as they live in this world. Only in Srivaikundam, muktatmas (liberated souls) will be full of satvik nature. Here, we can only try to reduce rajas and tamas by increasing Satva guna.
RAJAS
Symptoms for Rajas can be restlessness, easily getting angry, ctriticising attitude, sleep disorder, high expectations from others and hence disapppointed when expectations are not met, etc. Having too hot/cold/spicy/certain vegetables/ non vegetarian food or food made by people with rajasik thoughts, being with such people and in such environments may increase our rajasik nature.
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Anger doesn't always mean rajasik act. It depends on various factors. Getting angry for para-hitham (welfare of others) does not indicate the presence of rajo Gunam.
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We have to learn to distinguish between shareera, atma, temporary worldy pleasures , permanent happiness. The more we think about it, we will slowly stop worrying about others comments regarding temporary issues like shareera/wealth/fame, etc...
We have to start to realise whatever good work we do for parahitham is due to Bhagavad krupa only. Offering all credits to Bhagavan Himself in the form of gratitude for selecting us to do kainkaryam, then we won't expect any credit from others for whatever we do and hence there won't be any disappointments .
TAMAS
Symptoms for more Tamas can be "laziness, escaping responsibilities, lack of interest in Following dharma, performing one's own duties, gaining Atma Paramatma knowledge, visiting temples, being in Satsang and/or showing interest in leisure activities, excessive sleep, etc".
Food habits like eating stale food, certain vegetables, food made by people with tamasik thoughts, etc and being in touch with such people and in such an environment can increase tamas.
SATVAM
When we use our senses more for satvishayam and when we develop more bhakti on satva-maya Bhagawan, meditating about Him, being with people of similar interest, rajas and tamas can be controlled with the grace of Him. When we offer food to Bhagwan, He will eliminate all doshas from it. So, better to take only food offered to Bhagavan as much as possible or at least on auspicious days. If we do so, kids will also be aware of such facts and can follow that at some time.
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Only with Acharya sambhandham , we will be able to control rajas & tamas and come out of ahankaram & mamakaram. Then satvam will dominate rajas and tamas.
