The fourteenth chapter of the Geeta known as the Guna Traya Vibhaga Yoga or the Yoga of three attitudes is a marvellous exposition of the three psychological traits found in human beings. These three traits are the layered ladder of self unfoldment, beginning from the lowest nature to the highest evolved state of consciousness. As discussed in the preceding chapter, the creation is the interplay of the matter and consciousness. Consciousness expressed through different mediums appears fragmented and multiplied. The entire nature is composed of endless varieties. The Geeta propounds that the tendencies with which the mind functions are of three types. First is the Sattva or purity, second Rajas or passion and the third Tamas or inertia. All these three tendencies exist in all human beings in different proportions, depending upon their mental and psychological calibre.

 

The attitude of purity is expressed in self control, steadiness of the mind, balance, equanimity, happiness, knowledge, tranquility, creative thinking, etc. The tendency of passion is constituted of insatiable desires, extreme attachment, emotive urges, greed etc. The third type of tendency of inertia generates darkness, delusions, dullness, etc. The persons with purity are gifted with knowledge. Their life is luminous and brilliant. Their discriminative intelligence is of high order. They are not given to impulses and vagaries of behavior. They have the highest level of awareness. Persons having passionate personalities with attachment are always restless and agitated. The tendency of passion generates high oscillation of the mind. The lowest level of tendency known as inertia leads to ignorance. It completely veils the discriminative power between right and wrong. Such persons are not sensitive to the higher calls of human life. They are irresponsive to noble causes.

 

Their intellect is so veiled that they misinterpret the truth and facts. The first category is always elevated and goes upward. The second category remains where it is and the persons with the lowest nature get degraded and go downward. The entire human population is entangled into these three categories. It is the duty of every individual to break these entanglements and move upward towards the higher evolutionary process. The modern Positive Psychology is also based upon the elevation of human thoughts and behaviour through constant training and awareness. The theories of neuroplasticity and emotional intelligence also seem to follow the same line of thoughts. According to the Vedantic theory of the incarnation, death is not the end of existence. It is just a pause to begin a new journey carrying all the tendencies and impressions of the previous life.

 

Towards the end of the chapter, Lord Krishna talks of the fourth dimension of human consciousness where there is nothing good or bad. The highest self evolution is the state of pure consciousness and bliss. This is the untainted dimension of consciousness and realisation. One is established in the supreme wisdom and unbroken web of consciousness. This is the merging of individual consciousness into the cosmic consciousness. Devotion or pure love is prescribed as the tool to achieve this exalted state of awakening. (The writer is Former DG Police & CG, Homeguards, Maharashtra) ■