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| Just as the doshas are the essential components of the body, the three gunas - Satwa, Rajas and Tamas - are the three essential components or energies of the mind. Ayurveda provides a distinct description of people on the basis of their Manasa (psychological) Prakriti (constitution). Genetically determined, these psychological characteristics are dependent on the relative dominance of the three gunas. |
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| While all individuals have mixed amounts of the three, the predominant guna determines an individual's mansa prakriti. In equilibrium, the three gunas preserve the mind (and indirectly the body), maintaining it in a healthy state. Any disturbance in this equilibrium results in various types of mental disorders. |
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| Satwa, characterised by lightness, consciousness, pleasure and clarity, is pure, free from disease and cannot be disturbed in any way. It activates the senses and is responsible for the perception of knowledge. Rajas, the most active of the gunas, has motion and stimulation as its characteristics. All desires, wishes, ambitions and fickle-mindedness are a result of the same. While Tamas is characterised by heaviness and resistance. It produces disturbances in the process of perception and activities of the mind. Delusion, false knowledge, laziness, apathy, sleep and drowsiness are due to it. |
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| Rajas and Tamas, as with the doshas, can be unbalanced by stress and negative desires as kama (lust), irshya (malice), moha (delusion and halucination), lobha (greed), chinta (anxiety), bhaya (fear) and krodha (anger). Each of these three properties is also comprised of sub-types and the particular sub-type to which one belongs to determine the qualities of that individual. |
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| Satwika individuals are usually noble and spiritual in character, their nature determined as much by body type as their star constellation, having an element of kapha in their constitution. |
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Satwika
Subtype Qualities |
Brahma |
Free
from passion, anger, greed, ignorance or jealousy,
possessing knowledge and the power of
discrimination. |
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Arsa |
Excellent
memory, purity, love and self -control, excellent
intellectual frame of mind, free from pride, ego,
ignorance, greed or anger. Possessing the power of
understanding and retention. |
Aindra |
Devotion
to sacred books, study rituals and oblations.
Devotion to virtuous acts, far- sightedness and
courage. Authoritative behaviour and speech. Able
to perform sacred rituals. |
Yamya |
Free
from mean and conflicting desires and acts. Having
initiative, excellent memory and leadership. Free
from emotional binds, hatred, ignorance and envy.
The capacity for timely action. |
Varuna |
Free
from mean acts. Exhibition of emotion in proper
place. Observance of religious rights. |
Kabera |
Courage,
patience, and hatred of impure thoughts. Liking
for virtuous acts and purity. Pleasure in
recreation. |
Gandharva |
Possession
of wealth, attendants and luxuries. Expertise in
poetry, stories and epics. Fondness for dancing
singing and music. Takes pleasure in perfumes,
garlands and flowers. Full of passion. |
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| Pitta dominated Rajasikas, intellectually oriented but vulnerable to temptations,
are very human in their character and approach to life. |
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Rajasika
Subtype Qualities |
Asura |
Indulgence
in self-praise, bravery, cruelty, envy and
ruthlessness. Terrifying appearance. |
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Raksasa |
Excessive
sleep and indolence. Envious disposition. Constant
anger, intolerance, and cruel behaviour.
Gluttonous habits. |
Paisala |
Unclean
habits. Cowardly, with a terrifying disposition.
Gluttonous habits. Fondness for the opposite sex.
Abnormal diet and regimen. |
Sarpa |
Sharp
reactions. Excessive indolance. Frequent fearful
disposition. Brave or cowardly attitude depending
on situations. |
Praita |
Excessive
desire for food. Envious character. Excessive
greediness and actions without discrimination. |
Sakuna |
Full
of passion. Unsteadiness, ruthlessness, and
excessive attitude for food. |
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| A
dominant Vata ensures
that Tamasika individuals are the most down to earth, concerned about
fundamental questions of practical existence, specially
when confronted by more spiritual and less physical
issues. |
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Tamasika
Subtype Qualities |
Pasava |
Lack
of intelligence, forbidding dispositions, envious
nature. Excessive sexual indulgence and sleep. |
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Matsya |
Unsteadiness,
constant passion, and cowardice. Excessive desire
for water intake. |
Banaspatya |
Indolence.
Excessive indulgence in food. Deficiency of
intellectual faculties. |
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