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Chapter 14
THE GUNAS: DEVELOPING THEM AND GOING BEYOND THEM
75. Analysis Of Prakriti
3. Just as a doctor examines the health of a patient and prescribes treatment, the Lord has examined the entire prakriti, analysed it and diagnosed the diseases. Prakriti has been neatly classified here. There is a principle in diplomacy that if we could create dissensions and divisions in the enemy’s camp, the enemy can soon be vanquished. The Lord has done the same here. Prakriti of everything and every being consists of three constituents. Just as in ayurved (the Indian system of medicine), nature is divided in three categories— kapha (phlegm), pitta (bile) and vata (wind)—, prakriti has three gunas (modes)—sattva, rajas and tamas. All the things are made of these three materials; difference being only in their proportion. Only when we separate the Self from all of them, could we succeed in separating it from the body. To examine these gunas and to conquer them is the way to separate the Self from the body. With restraint and firmness, we have to go on subduing and conquering them one by one and reach the ultimate destination.
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