Sattva, Raja and Tama - The 3 Subtle basic components of creation.

Abstract

 

The three subtle basic components of sattva, raja and tama are the very fabric of creation. Unknown to modern sciences, they permeate through all living and non-living, tangible and intangible things. The vibrations emitted by anything are dependent on the predominant subtle basic component. It also influences the behaviour of all things. The proportion of these components in human beings can only be changed by spiritual practice.

 

Introduction and definition

 

The purpose of this article is to give our readers a strong foundation about the concept of the three subtle basic components. It is a very important article as it forms the basis to further understand Spiritual Science.

 

According to modern sciences, the Universe is made up of basic physical particles that include electrons, protons, neutrons, mesons, gluons and quarks.

 

At a spiritual level however, the Universe is made up of something even more basic. These basic particles are known as the 3 subtle basic components (trigunas) namely sattva, raja and tama. In the word triguna, ‘tri’ stands for three while ‘gunas’ stand for subtle components.

 

 

The characteristics of each of these components are described in brief in the following table:

We call the components subtle because they are intangible, not physical in nature and cannot be seen with any instruments such as the latest electronic microscopes. Technically advanced physical instrumentation in the future too will not be able to measure them. These three subtle basic components can only be perceived by the subtle sense organs or our sixth sense (ESP).

 

• The subtle basic sattva component is the most subtle or intangible of the three subtle basic components. It is the component nearest to divinity. Hence its predominance in a person is characterised by happiness, contentment, virtues like patience, perseverance, ability to forgive, spiritual yearning etc.
 

• The subtle basic tama component is the basest of the three. Its predominance in a person is reflected by laziness, greed, attachment to worldly matters etc.
 

• The subtle basic raja component provides fuel to the other two, i.e. brings about the action. So depending on whether a person is predominantly sattvik or tamasik the subtle basic raja component will bring about actions pertaining to sattva or tama.

Due to the intangible nature of subtle basic sattva, raja and tama components, schools and universities that teach modern sciences are unaware that they exist. Hence they do not include them in their curriculum. As a result, the concept of the three subtle basic components may seem alien to some of us. However this does not discount the fact that they pervade our entire existence and the world we live in. Depending on which one of the three subtle components is predominant within us, it influences how we:

• React to situations
• Make decisions
• Make choices
• Live our lives

Since they are not physical in nature, it is difficult to put a finger on them and give them a physical characteristic.

 

This is article is an extract from the works of  The Spiritual Research Foundation, AUS and USA.

 

For more depth knowledge about these three subtle basic components of creation please and its effect on our life, please visit their URL : http://www.spiritualresearchfoundation.org/articles/id/spiritualresearch/spiritualscience/sattva_raja_tama