But the wound caused by nasty, harsh words
will never heal.”
Bhismacharya’s advice to King Yudhisthir
In Mahābhārat
Our lives become complicated when we do not follow this advice.
“Happiness is when what you think, what you say,
and what you do are in harmony."
M. K. Gāndhi
Tāmasic – individual talks without thinking, tells lies, complains about everything, criticizes, and uses obscene language.
Rājasic - talks about ‘I, me, & mine’ all the time.
Sātvic – person thinks & then tells the truth ( Satyam) in pleasant words ( priyam), and what is beneficial to all ( hitam). Her speech is encouraging and up-lifting.
Tāmasic - has false beliefs and delusions. Thinks that which is morally and ethically
‘right’ is ‘wrong’ & what is ‘wrong’ is ‘right’.
Rājasic – is confused about what is ‘right’ and what is ‘wrong’. He cannot decide what to do when there is a moral dilemma.
Sātvic – a person knows ‘right’ from ‘wrong’, what is according to Dharma, and what is good for all and which brings long-term happiness, prosperity and security for all.
Bhagawad Gitā XVIII.30-32
9. Pleasure is derived from:
Tāmasic – person feels happy after getting up late in the morning, drinking intoxicating drinks, doing harm to others, and destruction of property.
Rājasic – individual feels happy during activities that give pleasure from sense gratification.
Sātvic – person is involved in activities that are good for all. These activities may be difficult in the beginning but bring long lasting pleasure, prosperity & peace to all.
Bhagawad Gitā XVIII.37-39
10. Keeps company of:
Tāmasic – people prefer the company of criminals.
Rājasic – individuals keep company of people who will help him achieve his selfish goals to become rich & famous.
Sātvic – keep company of good people ( satsang) who live according to Dharma.
11. Reading, listening to music, watching movies
Tāmasic – like trashy, vulgar, and violent entertainment.
Rājasic – prefers exciting literature and movies.
Sātvic – reads, listens, and watches value based entertainment.
Tāmasic – performs religious ceremony without faith and knowledge about meaning of mantras or rituals, to gain power over others, harm others, get strength or wealth to destroy others, to torture his own body, and without giving gift ( dakshinā) to priests ( Brahmin).
Rājasic – individuals perform rituals to gain personal prestige, profit, or power. Gift ( Dakshinā) is given to priest ( Brahman-s) to show off personal wealth.
Sātvic – person performs obligatory rituals with proper understanding of the meaning of mantras, without expecting anything in return, and with a resolve to practice all values mentioned in the ritual. Generous gift ( dakshinā) is given to the priest with love and respect.
13. Charity ( Dān):
Tāmasic – individual does not believe in giving any charity or it is given to unworthy cause without love and respect.
Rājasic – person regrets when he has to give charity ( Dān) or gives to gain something in return.
Sātvic - gives willingly, with faith and humility, to a noble cause with full knowledge about the results of his action, as a sense of duty, and without expectation of getting anything in return.
Bhagawad Gitā XVII.20-22
14. Knowledge:
Tāmasic – person does not have any understanding of the ‘Truth’ (God) or Dharma.
Rājasic – individual cannot discriminate ‘right’ from ‘wrong’. He feels that all life forms as separate from each other and different from himself. Other life forms are created for his pleasure.
Sātvic – person feels the same ‘ Paramātmā’ (life force) pervading the whole universe, all humans, animals, and even the inanimate objects.
Bhagawad Gitā XVIII.20-22
15. Three characters (brothers) from Rāmāyan: Tāmasic – character is Kumbhakarń who slept for six months, ate for six months and fought against Rām.
Rājasic – brother is Rāvań. He was very intelligent, knowledgeable, strong, and brave but had weakness for Sitā who was married to Rām but still abducted her and wanted to marry her.
Sātvic – brother is Vibhishan. He left Rāvań and joined forces with Rām to fight with his brother Rāvań.
16. Tapa (तप, Disciplined effort):
Tāmasic – individual performs tapa with the goal of doing harm to others or for torturing himself.
Rājasic – person performs tapa for gaining respect, power, or wealth.
Sātvic – person performs tapa to worship dev- s with faith and without any selfish motive.
Bhagawad Gitā XVII.14-16
17. Temperament:
Tāmasic – individual is lethargic and vengeful.
Rājasic – is restless and ambitious.
Sātvic – is calm and focused.
18. Worship:
Tāmasic – person worships ghosts.
Rājasic – worships Yaksh- s and Rākshas-s Sātvic – worships Dev- s (Divine beings).
Bhagawad Gitā XVII.4
Sanskār-s
Life is a sacred journey. Each milestone is celebrated by performing a sacred ceremony.
Family and friends get together, lending support, advice and encouragement. Sanskār-s are sacraments or holy rites that guide us and remind us about our responsibilities in life, inspire family togetherness and invoke God’s blessings. There are 40 Sanskār- s for different milestones in life from conception to the last rites.
Important Sanskār-s are: