THE THREE GUNAS OF SATWA, RAJAS AND TAMAS

Satwa, Rajas and Tamas are the three qualities or gunas that provide the basis and the substance of all objects in nature. Everything in nature must have these gunas as an integral part of their essential existence. 

Satwa or Goodness, Rajas or Passion and Tamas or Darkness, these three gunas are interwoven and interlinked with each other. The existence of one is dependent on the other, however the measure in which these gunas exists varies. Where there is a high element of Tamas, Rajas will exist in a smaller measure and the Satwic element is still less. This is the case of the lower creatures in nature. Where Rajas is dominates, Tamas exists in a smaller measure and the measure of Satwa is still less. Objects that have Satwic element in abundance are the creatures of upward courses who have Tamas existing in a small measure and Rajas in a measure that is still less. 

These three gunas exist in all objects in nature, in union, and take turns to effect the senses in many ways. The guna of Satwa most suitably effects our senses. It enables us to attain a higher order, to proceed upwards and towards enlightenment. Thus it should be our effort to attain a higher level by increasing the Satwic element in our lives. 

Each day should be looked upon as broken down into time periods where one guna is in a dominating measure. Early morning hours known as Brahma-muhurat, around 4am to 6am, is the time of the day when Satwa dominates. This part of the day is full of goodness and when the mind is in its purest form. As the day progresses, the guna of Rajas becomes prominent. Energy levels are the highest , and the mind is full of enthusiasm and excitement. Tamas predominates the evenings and late nights where the darkness, impurities and weaknesses of the mind are easily brought forth. 

Thus daytime, when the mind is full of energy and passion is most suitable for working. Accordingly devoting daytime to work is the most apt utilization of Rajas. Since late evenings is the time when Tamas comes to dominate, bringing forth the darkness of the mind, it is best to avoid these times altogether. Sleeping early is the ideal way to avoid this guna from dominating our senses. Early morning hours are dominated by Satwa making this the ideal time for meditation leading to spiritual upliftment. Increasing the Satwic element in life will take us to a higher level, thus efforts should be directed towards this end and reducing the measure of Rajas and more importantly Tamas.