विवेचन सारांश

Attributes of the three gunas explained

Sri Bhagavān says that faith(shraddha) of the embodied(dehinam) is three-fold(trividha). This faith is inherent in their nature(sa svabhaja).

For example, if a person's nature is sattvic then his faith is also sattvic, if the nature is rajasic then faith is also rajasic and if nature is tamasic then faith is also tamasic. Consider the events happening in Bangladesh. Hindus are targeted and the perpetrators are deriving sadistic pleasure by playing with corpses, dancing and laughing as that's their inherent tamasic nature. This inherent tamasic nature results in tamasic faith.

Compared to those tamasic people, People with Rajasic or Sattvic nature cannot harm others and behave cruelly with their fellow human beings. Scriptures followed by the sattvic or Rajasic people do not encourage harm to fellow human beings. They always encourage truth, justice and harmony.

As a man's faith is, so is he. Any activity be it doing japa or listening to saint, is colored by the nature of his faith. Performing an action like tantra Sādhanā on a person who has no faith will not have any effect. Similarly mantra Sādhanā or puja performed by a person without faith will not yield optimal results.

In this shloka the connection between one's guna and spiritual practise is highlighted. A person can be recognised as sattvik or rajasic or tamasic disposition by their habits. 

• yajante sāttvikā devān: sattvic men worship gods(devas)
• yakṣarakṣāṃsi rājasāḥ: rajasic men worship yakshas or demons for a specific need.  Kuber is a yaksha and he's worshipped for wealth
• pretānbhūtagaṇāṃścānye, yajante tāmasā janāḥ: tamasic men worship ghosts and spirits of dead. The results of this  worship can be disastrous in the long run even if it gives short term rewards.

In shlokas 5 and 6, Sri Krishna describes people who practice severe penance of arbitrary type that are not prescribed by the scriptures.

We tend to ignore the ordinance of the Śāstras if it's not according to our convenience and to save the effort. If mango leaves needed for puja is not available, we'll compromise and use some other leaves just to avoid the trouble of getting the required leaves. While doing anushtaanas for a specific purpose, the shastras should not be compromised according to convenience. Person who intentionally ignore the scriptures, lacking faith and who does not follow traditions, should not question the circumstances of life.

Hinduism is the largest religion after Christianity and Islam. Of late atheism is overtaking hinduism to claim the 3rd place. This alarming trend of intellectual Hindus becoming secular does not bode well for Hinduism.

Though our Śāstras say 'vasudaiva kutumbakam' we should not take things lying down.

Our Śāstras also says 'samadarshanam' -treat everyone equally but not 'samvardana'-not treating everyone same. We should take a stand when it comes to our dharma and protect ourselves. In Bangladesh the Hindus have united in the aftermath of violence to protect themselves. We should stand up for our dharma in our own small way.

dharmo rakshati raksitah: if one stands up for one's dharma, dharma will protect you.

We can do our bit to awaken the younger generation to the greatness of our culture by

•   - popularizing stories of Ramayana and Mahabharata
•   - highlighting importance of our identity like tilak, shikha
•   - teaching yagnas, anushtaanas, rituals and their importance
•   - explaining the shodasha samskaras
•   - listening to pravachans of saints
•   - practical application of the values from Mahabharata, Bhagavad Geeta
•   - listening to kathas by Swami Govind Dev Giri ji Maharaj

aśāstravihitaṃ: which is not in shastra
ghoraṃ: terrific

Person who does terrific tapa which is not in scriptures will not yield the desired results. For example a person fasts for a couple of days without doing any puja or japa but wants the wish to be fulfilled.

But a similar fast prescribed by scriptures will have a certain method like

•   - specific day, example: ekadashi, shravan month, monday fasting
•   - specified puja
•   - sankalpa
•   - fast
•   - next day parana

dambhāhaṅkārasaṃyuktāḥ: having hypocrisy and egoism
kāmarāgabalānvitāḥ: performing with lust

People who undergo severe austerities that is not prescribed by scriptures, but motivated by ego, pride and lust for power and wealth, will be harming their own self. 

sarvasya cāhaṃ hṛdi sanniviṣṭo
mattaḥ smṛtirjñānamapohanaṃ ca,
vedaiśca sarvairahameva vedyo,
vedāntakṛdvedavideva cāham (15.15)
Bhagavān is seated in everyone’s heart and it is from HIM that all activities are initiated.

One has to understand and follow the scriptures. The scriptures have prescribed how the tasks have to be performed (karya karyau vyasthito), the procedures (vidhi) and prohibitions (nishiddha).

Inderpal ji
Q: Is tea and coffee considered tamasic?
A: No, it is considered rajasic. Intoxicants and cigarettes are considered tamasic. Fruit juices are sattvic. 

Q: Many people may not be in a position to get sattvic food due to various reasons, so how to manage it? 
A: Any food prepared at home is good & considered sattvic. But food from restaurants is rajasic or tamasic. The manner in which the food is prepared, by whom it's prepared and the emotions of persons preparing it, affects the food. That's why fruits and salads are considered most sattvic.

Janmejai ji
Q: Are the three gunas different typologies or are they prevalent in one person?
A: Ever person has all three gunas but the frequency of each guna matters. The percentage of each guna may differ- 60% sattva guna, 30% rajo guna 10% tamo guna or 40% rajo guna, 30% sattva guna and 30% tamo guna but all three gunas are present in one person. It should be the endeavor of every person to increase the sattva guna.

Indra ji
Q: How to recognize a person as sattvic, rajasic or tamasic?
A: A person's faith defines his/her nature as sattvic, rajasic or tamasic. This is defined by the food consumed, the actions performed, the choices made with their intellect. This nature(vritti) can be changed by efforts and choices.

Q: Should we tell the person or just accept it as their nature?
A: One should realize that it's their nature depending on their karmas of previous births and can be called out only where they have that right. One can correct their children but not an elder or friend who does not ask for advise.

Nirmaladevi ji
Q: What is the definition of shraddha?
A: Shraddha means belief and what we choose for ourselves every moment.

Q: What is the difference between yajna and tapa?
 A: Yajna is a ritual done for community (samasti) and tapa is a ritual done for oneself (vesti). For example, learning geeta is mahayagna as it's done for benefit of all.

Geetha ji
Q: Where can we get the meaning of each word of Gītā?
A: Anvay Gītā - code 17 and Sadhak sanjeevani, both by Gītā press

Devraj ji
Q: Why is there a difference in pronunciation between Geeta parivar and others?
A: There is a difference in pronunciation as Geeta parivar follows the vedic principles of pronunciation while others may not.

Rakesh ji
Q: Does God differentiate a person who enjoys tamasic foods like onion and garlic even if food is prepared at home?
A: God loves all equally. But it is upto the individual how he/she proceeds on the spiritual path as these tamasic foods may just slow down their spiritual progress. Sadhak may get affected by tamasic foods as it impacts their mind and focus, leading to deviation from sadhana path.

Q: In kaliyuga, is there existence of spirits?
A: We believe in mantra effects and deities(devtas). When we worship devtas with sakama bhava, do pujas and japas, we get punyas generated that affects us. One has to put efforts to get punyas and there is no magic or shortcuts.

Mukul ji
Q: Is upavas considered tamasic?
A: Upavas  like the navratri upavas that are prescribed by scriptures is not tamasic. However, any upavas not prescribed in scriptures is considered tamasic.

Narhari ji
Q: Which guna can be harmful to others?
A: This can be subjective as all three gunas can harm others. For example a person doing too much bhajans (sattva guna) may not augur well with others. Rajasic or tamasic guna can directly or indirectly harm others, like slapping someone (tamasic guna) or wishing ill for others (rajasic guna).