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The term Trigunas is made up of 2 parts. The first part is 'Tri' which means 3 in number and the second part is 'Gunas' which means qualities or properties of a substance. Thus the term points towards 3 qualities or properties of a substance.   

The term Trigunas is made up of two parts. The first part is 'Tri' which means three in number and the second part is 'Gunas' which means qualities or properties of a substance. Thus the term points towards three qualities or properties of a substance.   

== परिचयः॥ Introduction ==

== परिचयः॥ Introduction ==

In Bharatiya shastras, Bhagvad Gita and Ayurveda, the term Triguna implies the set of 3 human characteristics namely Sattva, Rajas and Tamas. In Ayurveda these are the 3 types of characteristics of mind while in the frame of reference of other shastras these 3 are the modes of material energy. The human temperament, behavior, emotions and actions are influenced by the dominance of one of these trigunas at that point of the time. Also, on the basis of their levels from the time of birth in any human being, the humans are characterized as Sattvik, Rajas or Tamas in mind-type. The personality, behavior, interests, health and ultimately the quality of one's life largely depends on the presence, absence, levels or predominance of these trigunas in one's mind. Thus, Ayurveda has laid large emphasis on understanding of these 3 modes with special reference to the mind and characteristics of the individual.   

In Bharatiya shastras, the Bhagvad Gita and Ayurveda, the term Triguna implies the set of three human characteristics namely [[Sattva (सत्त्वम्)|Sattva]], [[Rajas (रजः)|Rajas]] and [[Tamas (तमः)|Tamas]]. In [[Ayurveda (आयुर्वेदः)|Ayurveda]] these are the three types of characteristics of mind while in the frame of reference of other shastras these three are the modes of material energy. The human temperament, behavior, emotions and actions are influenced by the dominance of one of these trigunas at that point of the time. Also, on the basis of their levels from the time of birth in any human being, the humans are characterized as Sattvik, Rajas or Tamas in mind-type. The personality, behavior, interests, health and ultimately the quality of one's life largely depends on the presence, absence, levels or predominance of these trigunas in one's mind. Thus, Ayurveda has laid large emphasis on understanding of these three modes with special reference to the mind and characteristics of the individual.   

=== महागुणाः त्रिगुणाः वा॥ Mahagunas or trigunas ===

=== महागुणाः त्रिगुणाः वा॥ Mahagunas or trigunas ===

The 3 modes of material energy or the 3 characteristics of mind are called as trigunas. These are also known as Mahagunas in Ayurveda literature. <blockquote>सत्त्वं रजस्तमश्चेति त्रयः प्रोक्ता महागुणाः॥  (Asht. Samg. 1.29)<ref>Ashtang Samgraha ([http://vedotpatti.in/samhita/Vag/esangraha/?mod=read&h=mahAguNA Sutrasthanam Adhyayam 1 Sutram 29]) </ref></blockquote><blockquote>sattvaṁ rajastamaśceti trayaḥ proktā mahāguṇāḥ॥ (Asht. Samg. 1.29)</blockquote>

The three modes of material energy or the three characteristics of mind are called as trigunas. These are also known as Mahagunas in Ayurveda literature. <blockquote>सत्त्वं रजस्तमश्चेति त्रयः प्रोक्ता महागुणाः॥  (Asht. Samg. 1.29)<ref>Ashtang Samgraha ([http://vedotpatti.in/samhita/Vag/esangraha/?mod=read&h=mahAguNA Sutrasthanam Adhyayam 1 Sutram 29]) </ref></blockquote><blockquote>sattvaṁ rajastamaśceti trayaḥ proktā mahāguṇāḥ॥ (Asht. Samg. 1.29)</blockquote>

== भगवद्गीतावर्णिताः त्रिगुणाः॥ Trigunas according to Bhagvad gita ==

== भगवद्गीतावर्णिताः त्रिगुणाः॥ Trigunas according to Bhagvad gita ==

Bhagavad Gita (भगवद्गीता) is a dialogue between Lord Krishna and Arjuna, narrated in the Bhishma Parva of the [[Mahabharata (महाभारतम्)|Mahabharata]]. In the 14th discourse of Bhagvad Gita, Lord Krishna narrates the role of Trigunas in one's life. At this place, the origin and association of Trigunas with one's life has been explained by lord Krishna as follows,  <blockquote>सत्त्वं रजस्तम इति गुणा: प्रकृतिसम्भवा: । निबध्नन्ति महाबाहो देहे देहिनमव्ययम् ॥ (Bhagvad Gita 14.5)</blockquote><blockquote>sattvaṁ rajastama iti guṇā: prakr̥tisambhavā: । nibadhnanti mahābāho dehe dehinamavyayam ॥ (Bhagvad Gita 14.5)</blockquote>Meaning: Prakrti or the material energy consists of three guṇas (modes)—sattva (goodness), rajas (passion), and tamas (ignorance). These modes bind the eternal soul to the perishable body.

Bhagavad Gita (भगवद्गीता) is a dialogue between ShriKrishna and Arjuna, narrated in the Bhishma Parva of the [[Mahabharata (महाभारतम्)|Mahabharata]]. In the 14th discourse of Bhagvad Gita, ShriKrishna narrates the role of Trigunas in one's life. At this place, the origin and association of Trigunas with one's life has been explained by lord Krishna as follows,  <blockquote>सत्त्वं रजस्तम इति गुणा: प्रकृतिसम्भवा: । निबध्नन्ति महाबाहो देहे देहिनमव्ययम् ॥ (Bhagvad Gita 14.5)</blockquote><blockquote>sattvaṁ rajastama iti guṇā: prakr̥tisambhavā: । nibadhnanti mahābāho dehe dehinamavyayam ॥ (Bhagvad Gita 14.5)</blockquote>Meaning: [[Prakrti (प्रकृतिः)|Prakrti]] or the material energy consists of three guṇas (modes)—sattva (goodness), rajas (passion), and tamas (ignorance). These modes bind the eternal soul to the perishable body.

Prakrti is believed to be that part of source of creation which is responsible for material existence of the universe. Since the trigunas are said to be the modes of this prakrti, all the matter or the material existence possess trigunas. Bhagwad Gita explains how the same individual’s temperament oscillates amongst the trigunas. These 3 gunas are Sattvam, Rajas and Tamas.  These three guṇas are present in the material energy, and our mind is made from the same energy. These are also considered as the modes of energy.  Hence, all the three guṇas are present in our mind as well.   

Prakrti is believed to be that part of source of creation which is responsible for material existence of the universe. Since the trigunas are said to be the modes of this prakrti, all the matter or the material existence possess trigunas. BhagvadGita explains how the same individual’s temperament oscillates amongst the trigunas. These three gunas are Sattvam, Rajas and Tamas.  These three guṇas are present in the material energy, and our mind is made from the same energy. These are also considered as the modes of energy.  Hence, all the three guṇas are present in our mind as well.   

== Triguna interaction ==

== Triguna Interaction ==

All the 3 gunas can co-exist in a persons mind at given point of a time. However, each one possesses some energy opposite to that of other guna and thus they keep on competing with each other to establish self dominance. They can be compared to three wrestlers competing with each other. Each keeps throwing the others down, and so, sometimes the first is on top, sometimes the second, and sometimes the third. In the same manner, the three guṇas keep gaining dominance over the individual’s temperament, which oscillates amongst the three modes. Based upon one’s internal thoughts, the external circumstances, past sanskaras, and other factors, one or the other of these modes becomes dominant for that person. And the mode that predominates creates its corresponding shade upon that person’s personality. Hence, the soul is swayed by the influence of these dominating modes.

All the three gunas can co-exist in a persons mind at a given point of a time. However, each one possesses some energy opposite to that of other guna and thus they keep on competing with each other to establish self dominance. They can be compared to three wrestlers competing with each other. Each keeps throwing the others down, and so, sometimes the first is on top, sometimes the second, and sometimes the third. In the same manner, the three guṇas keep gaining dominance over the individual’s temperament, which oscillates amongst the three modes. Based upon one’s internal thoughts, the external circumstances, past sanskaras, and other factors, one or the other of these modes becomes dominant for that person. And the mode that predominates creates its corresponding shade upon that person’s personality. Hence, the soul is swayed by the influence of these dominating modes.

<blockquote>रजस्तमश्चाभिभूय सत्त्वं भवति भारत । रज: सत्त्वं तमश्चैव तम: सत्त्वं रजस्तथा ॥ (Bhagvad Gita 14.10) </blockquote><blockquote>rajastamaścābhibhūya sattvaṁ bhavati bhārata । raja: sattvaṁ tamaścaiva tama: sattvaṁ rajastathā ॥ (Bhagvad Gita 14.10)</blockquote>

<blockquote>रजस्तमश्चाभिभूय सत्त्वं भवति भारत । रज: सत्त्वं तमश्चैव तम: सत्त्वं रजस्तथा ॥ (Bhagvad Gita 14.10) </blockquote><blockquote>rajastamaścābhibhūya sattvaṁ bhavati bhārata । raja: sattvaṁ tamaścaiva tama: sattvaṁ rajastathā ॥ (Bhagvad Gita 14.10)</blockquote>

== त्रिगुणपरिणामः॥ Actions and effects of Trigunas ==

== त्रिगुणपरिणामः॥ Actions and effects of Trigunas ==

Sattva, rajas and tamas play hey role in the way a persons mind, emotions, behaviour and social interaction happens. All these aspects of one's personality are responsible for that persons actions and their results which ultimately decide the health, well-being and success of that individual in this world. Learning the exclusive characteristics of each of the trigunas thus one can foresee the possible quality of life of an individual based upon the predominance of the trigunas in his mind. In Bhagvad Gita, lord Krinshna has explained the action and effect of trigunas on one's life as follows,

Sattva, rajas and tamas play key role in the way a persons mind, emotions, behaviour and social interaction happens. All these aspects of one's personality are responsible for that persons actions and their results which ultimately decide the health, well-being and success of that individual in this world. Learning the exclusive characteristics of each of the trigunas thus one can foresee the possible quality of life of an individual based upon the predominance of the trigunas in his mind. In Bhagvad Gita, lord Krishna has explained the action and effect of trigunas on one's life as follows,

<blockquote>सत्त्वं सुखे सञ्जयति रज: कर्मणि भारत । ज्ञानमावृत्य तु तम: प्रमादे सञ्जयत्युत ॥ (Bhagvad Gita 14.9) </blockquote><blockquote>sattvaṁ sukhe sañjayati raja: karmaṇi bhārata । jñānamāvr̥tya tu tama: pramāde sañjayatyuta ॥ (Bhagvad Gita 14.9)</blockquote>Meaning: Sattva binds one to happiness; rajas conditions the soul toward actions; and tamas clouds wisdom and binds one to delusion.

<blockquote>सत्त्वं सुखे सञ्जयति रज: कर्मणि भारत । ज्ञानमावृत्य तु तम: प्रमादे सञ्जयत्युत ॥ (Bhagvad Gita 14.9) </blockquote><blockquote>sattvaṁ sukhe sañjayati raja: karmaṇi bhārata । jñānamāvr̥tya tu tama: pramāde sañjayatyuta ॥ (Bhagvad Gita 14.9)</blockquote>Meaning: Sattva binds one to happiness; rajas conditions the soul toward actions; and tamas clouds wisdom and binds one to delusion.

the effects of each of trigunas is a result of its property. Sattva is said to be the illuminating or enlightening quality that helps one to understand the truth or reality of the situation, gives clarity and thus helps one to understand real bliss or happiness. Rajas owing to its passionate nature, consistently forces one to initiate actions to achieve goals and thus that person gets engaged in the pursuit of various pleasures. On the other hand, Tamas by nature clouds the wisdom and incapacitates individual to know the truth or to understand the real nature of anything. Naturally, the person makes mistakes or [[Prajnaparadha (प्रज्ञापराधः)|prajnaparadhas]] leading to unrewarding, miserable life.  

The effects of each of trigunas is a result of its property. Sattva is said to be the illuminating or enlightening quality that helps one to understand the truth or reality of the situation, gives clarity and thus helps one to understand real bliss or happiness. Rajas owing to its passionate nature, consistently forces one to initiate actions to achieve goals and thus that person gets engaged in the pursuit of various pleasures. On the other hand, Tamas by nature clouds the wisdom and incapacitates individual to know the truth or to understand the real nature of anything. Naturally, the person makes mistakes or [[Prajnaparadha (प्रज्ञापराधः)|prajnaparadhas]] leading to unrewarding, miserable life.  

== मनोबलम् ॥ Effect of Trigunas on the strength of mind ==

== मनोबलम् ॥ Effect of Trigunas on the strength of mind ==

== मनोदोषाः रजः तमः च ॥ Rajas and Tamas as doshas  ==

== मनोदोषाः रजः तमः च ॥ Rajas and Tamas as doshas  ==

Ayurveda identifies physical body and mind as 2 seats for development of diseases. Since mind or manas is said to be a seat of diseases it is obvious that certain factors or forces located in manas are responsible for disease development. It is known that trigunas have place in manas of a person and they control the strength, actions and functions of mind and emotions. Among 3 of them, Sattva is believed to be the strength or pure quality of a mind which brings happiness and knowledge and wisdom in an individual and thus it is regarded as defense of manas. Whereas the other 2, rajas and tamas influence the person in a negative manner making one prone to create mistakes or [[Prajnaparadha (प्रज्ञापराधः)|prajnaparadhas]] and susceptible to diseases. Thus, rajas and tamas among trigunas are identified as doshas (those which have capacity to vitiate body or mind and initiate the process of diseases development) of manas. <blockquote>रजस्तमश्च मनसो द्वौ च दोषावुदाहृतौ॥ (Asht Hrud 1.21)<ref name=":2">Ashtang Hrudayam ([http://vedotpatti.in/samhita/Vag/ehrudayam/?mod=read&h=rajas Sutrasthanam Adhyaya 1 Sutram 121])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>rajastamaśca manaso dvau ca doṣāvudāhr̥tau॥ (Asht Hrud 1.21)<ref name=":2" /></blockquote>Meaning: Rajas and Tamas are considered as 2 doshas of manas.

Ayurveda identifies physical body and mind as 2 seats for development of diseases. Since mind or manas is said to be a seat of diseases it is obvious that certain factors or forces located in manas are responsible for disease development. It is known that trigunas have place in manas of a person and they control the strength, actions and functions of mind and emotions. Among three of them, Sattva is believed to be the strength or pure quality of a mind which brings happiness and knowledge and wisdom in an individual and thus it is regarded as defense of manas. Whereas the other 2, rajas and tamas influence the person in a negative manner making one prone to create mistakes or [[Prajnaparadha (प्रज्ञापराधः)|prajnaparadhas]] and susceptible to diseases. Thus, rajas and tamas among trigunas are identified as doshas (those which have capacity to vitiate body or mind and initiate the process of diseases development) of manas. <blockquote>रजस्तमश्च मनसो द्वौ च दोषावुदाहृतौ॥ (Asht Hrud 1.21)<ref name=":2">Ashtang Hrudayam ([http://vedotpatti.in/samhita/Vag/ehrudayam/?mod=read&h=rajas Sutrasthanam Adhyaya 1 Sutram 121])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>rajastamaśca manaso dvau ca doṣāvudāhr̥tau॥ (Asht Hrud 1.21)<ref name=":2" /></blockquote>Meaning: Rajas and Tamas are considered as 2 doshas of manas.

Diseases originating from Rajas are called Rajasa diseases while those originating from Tamas are called as Tamasa diseases. <blockquote>अतस्त्रिविधा व्याधयः प्रादुर्भवन्ति- आग्नेयाः, सौम्याः, वायव्याश्च; द्विविधाश्चापरे- राजसाः, तामसाश्च ॥ (Char Samh 1.4)<ref>Charaka Samhita (Nidanasthanam Adhyayam 1 Sutram 4)</ref> </blockquote><blockquote>atastrividhā vyādhayaḥ prādurbhavanti- āgneyāḥ, saumyāḥ, vāyavyāśca; dvividhāścāpare- rājasāḥ, tāmasāśca ॥ (Char Samh 1.4)</blockquote>Meaning: 3 types of diseases (of physical body) originate from Agni, Jalam or Vayu. The other 2 types of diseases (are of manas and) originate either from imbalance or excess of rajas or tamas.   

Diseases originating from Rajas are called Rajasa diseases while those originating from Tamas are called as Tamasa diseases. <blockquote>अतस्त्रिविधा व्याधयः प्रादुर्भवन्ति- आग्नेयाः, सौम्याः, वायव्याश्च; द्विविधाश्चापरे- राजसाः, तामसाश्च ॥ (Char Samh 1.4)<ref>Charaka Samhita (Nidanasthanam Adhyayam 1 Sutram 4)</ref> </blockquote><blockquote>atastrividhā vyādhayaḥ prādurbhavanti- āgneyāḥ, saumyāḥ, vāyavyāśca; dvividhāścāpare- rājasāḥ, tāmasāśca ॥ (Char Samh 1.4)</blockquote>Meaning: three types of diseases (of physical body) originate from Agni, Jalam or Vayu. The other 2 types of diseases (are of manas and) originate either from imbalance or excess of rajas or tamas.   

== निद्रा त्रिगुण संबंधः॥ Nidra and Triguna ==

== निद्रा त्रिगुण संबंधः॥ Nidra and Triguna ==

== References ==

== References ==

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