THE THREE GUNAS & THE MAHAVAKYAS

Guna is a word in Sanskrit meaning "quality, peculiarity, attribute, or tendency".

The Hindu religion notes three Gunas: Sattva involving transcendence, Rajas involving activity and Tamas involving inertia. These are fundamental aspects of nature present in all things and beings. There is no physical entity without these, not a single atom is free of these three dimensions of a certain static nature, of energy, and of vibrance. In human behavior studies, Guna means the personality, innate nature and psychological attributes of an individual.

In the Bhagavad Gita:

Sattva is associated with joy, positivity, and knowledge

Rajas is associated with attachment and frustration

Tamas is associated with ignorance and delusion

In yoga it is an objective to achieve sattva reducing rajas and tamas and making liberation possible.

Sattva (Transcendence) is a state of harmony, balance, joy and intelligence. Other qualities include: goodness, calmness, intelligence, wholesomeness, lucidity, beauty.

Rajas (Activity) is a state of energy, action, change and movement. Other qualities include: passion, activity, excitement, desire to follow a purpose, attraction, attachment.

Tamas (Inertia) is a state of darkness, inactivity and materiality. Other qualities include: Ignorance, laziness, stability, groundedness, perseverance, patience, ease, loyalty.

Bhagavad-Gita - Ch7: 12-15

The states of sattva, rajas, and tamas come from me, but I am not in them. These three gunas deceive the world: people fail to look beyond them to me, supreme and imperishable. The three gunas make up my divine maya, difficult to overcome. But they cross over this maya who take refuge in me. Others are deluded by maya; performing evil deeds, they have no devotion to me. Having lost all discrimination, they follow the way of their lower nature.

FURTHERMORE

In Hindu philosophy, adhibhuta, adhidaiva, and adhiyajna represent different aspects of reality. Adhibhuta refers to the physical, changing aspects of the material world, also known as the perishable realm. Adhidaiva signifies the divine beings or cosmic forces that govern the universe. Adhiyajna represents the Supreme Being, the Lord of Sacrifice, residing within the heart and inspiring actions.

Here's a more detailed explanation:

Adhibhuta (अधिभूत):

This term encompasses the constantly changing, perishable elements of the material world. It includes everything that is born and will eventually decay, including our physical bodies.

Adhidaiva (अधिदैव):

This refers to the divine forces or deities that govern the universe and its various functions. It can be understood as the totality of the gods, or the cosmic consciousness that pervades all existence.

Adhiyajna (अधियज्ञ):

This term denotes the Supreme Being, often identified with Krishna or Vishnu, who is present within each individual as the inner guide or the source of all actions, particularly sacrifices (yajna). It is the divine principle that inspires and motivates virtuous actions.

In essence, these three terms provide a framework for understanding the interconnectedness of the physical world, the divine realm, and the spiritual journey within.

          --------------------------------------------------

UPANISHADS -

The Great Sayings (MahaVakyas):

“Divine Consciousness is the Supreme Reality” Aitareya: 5.3

“I am Brahman” Brihadāranyaka: 1.4.10

“You are That (Brahman)” Chāndogya: 6.8.7

“This indwelling self is Brahman” Māndukya: 2

Note: Brahman (Reality) & Parabrahman (Supreme Reality)