Talks on the Gita — 37: The Gunas: Developing Them & Going Beyond Them — 1

Analysis of Prakriti

Brothers! The Fourteenth Chapter, in a way, complements the previous chapter. The Self has really nothing to achieve. It is complete and perfect in itself. The natural movement of the Self is upwards. But just as any object is pulled down by a heavy weight tied to it, the Self is pulled down by the body. Progress is possible if, by some means, the body and the Self could be separated. This is certainly difficult, but the reward will also be great. If we could break the fetters of the body that bind the Self, we shall experience great joy. Who can rule over a man who has conquered his body? One who rules himself is the master of the universe.

I had given the example of Jesus Christ to give an idea of the extent to which the pleasures and pains of the body should be separated from our Self. Christ shows how peaceful and cheerful one should be even when the body is succumbing to death. But, separating body from the Self needs discernment on one hand and restraint on the other. Tukaram has spoken of 'Vivekasahit vairagyachen bal' (strength of non-attachment in association with discernment). Discernment and non-attachment (vairagya), both are necessary.

Just as a doctor examines the health of a patient and prescribes treatment, the Lord has examined the entire prakriti, analyzed it and diagnosed the diseases. Prakriti has been neatly classified here. There is a principle in diplomacy that if we could create dissensions and divisions in the enemy's camp, the enemy can soon be vanquished. The Lord has done the same here.

Prakriti of everything and every being consists of three constituents. Just as in Ayurveda (the Indian system of medicine), nature is divided in three categories — kapha (phlegm), pitta (bile) and vata (wind) — prakriti has three gunas (modes) — sattva, rajas and tamas. All the things are made of these three materials; the difference is only in their proportion. To examine these gunas and to conquer them is the way to separate the Self from the body.

Bodily Labour: Cure for Tamas

Let us take tamas first. We are observing its terrible consequences in the present social situation. Its main consequence is laziness which, in turn, gives rise to sleep and blunders. Only if we overcome all three things may we take it that we have conquered tamas. Among them, laziness is extremely dreadful. It ruins the best among men. It is an enemy which destroys the peace and happiness in society. It spares no one. It always lies in wait to pounce on us, and strikes at the slightest opportunity.

We should be alert lest indolence get the better of us. King Nala was a great man, but once he did not wash his feet properly and it is said that Kali (the evil spirit) entered into his body through the unclean spot on the foot. Although Nala was pure and clean in all respects, a little neglect, a little laziness gave Kali an opportunity to enter into him.

At present, everywhere, there is talk of social reform. At one end, there are excessive luxuries and at the other, there is extreme privation. At one end, there is excessive wealth and at the other, there is total destitution. How to remove these social disparities? There is one natural way for everyone to get the necessaries of life; and it is that all should shake off laziness and be ready to work hard. Laziness is the cause of our main woe, and this woe would be no more if all resolve to do physical labour.

But what do we observe in our society? On one side, there are people allowing themselves to gather rust and become useless. The rich do not use their organs, which get rusted due to disuse. On the other side, some people are required to toil so hard that their bodies get worn out through overwork. Clever people devise all sorts of excuses to avoid physical labour. Some say, 'Why waste time in bodily labour?' But no one ever says, 'Why waste time in eating? Why waste time in sleeping?'

Thus there are two sections in society: some work to the point of breakdown while others do not work at all. Everybody has a brain as well as a trunk. This combination of head and trunk is found in each and everyone. Everybody must, therefore, shake off laziness. To shake off laziness one must do physical labour. It is the only way to conquer laziness. If we fail to do this, nature will make us pay for this lapse. The price may be in the form of diseases or in some other form. As we have been given a body, it is imperative for us to use it for labour. The time spent in labour is not wasted. We get its reward in the form of sound health and pure, sharp and bright intellect.

[To be continued]

[Reproduced with kind permission of Paramdham Publication, Pavnar, from Chapter 14 of 'Talks on The Gita' by Sant Vinoba Bhave, 16th edition, January 2005]