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The Path of Arhat: A Religious Democracy
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Cause of these States
Prakṛti is constituted of three Gunas namely, 'Sattva, Rajas and Tamas'. These are the three inherent constituents which make up 'Prakṛti'. 'Prakṛti' is described as 'a string of three strands'. These three strands are these three 'Guņas'. These 'Gupas' are continually changing but so long as there is equilibrium, this change does not produce any objective result. The state of this equilibrium is the first and original state of 'Prakṛti'.
However, if there is a disturbance in the equilibrium which is known as 'Gupakṣobha', the objective results are obtained as per preponderance of a particular Gupa. None of the 'Guņas' loses its power when one of them is predominant. As put by Tattva-kaumudi (13-16) "All change relates to the position, order, grouping, mixing, separation of the eternally existing essentials which are always integrating and disintegrating."
Like 'Prakrti' even its constituents, i. e., the Gunas can be inferred from their effects. They work like power which helps in the development of 'Prakṛti'.
Meaning of 'Gunas'
-
Sattva Guna - The word 'Sattva' has its etymological root in the word 'Sat' which means 'to be'. So 'Sattva' means that which exists. In the secondary sense it means perfection which produces happiness. In the state of equlibrium 'Sat' predomi
nates.
Rajas Guna This Guna is the source of activity, feverish enjoyment and restless effort which eventually produces pain. When it predominates, equilibrium is disturbed and activity
starts.
Tamas Guna This Guna .brings in the state of darkness caused by ignorance and sloth which produces apathy and
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unawareness.
Prakrti in every individual expresses physical and mental changes in accordance with the preponderance of one of the
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