The Gita according to Gandhi 15

The Gita according to Gandhi -Mahadev Desai

B. THE GITA VIEW 2. THE GUNAS Now this state of self-control and ultimate peace can proceed from self-realization or knowledge which is the fruit of ages of endeavour. Man is, therefore, advised to take refuge in religion and ethics. He has to work himself upwards towards sc.ttva dedicating all his activity and endeavour to the Giver of all good and ultimately reach beyond the three gunas. This state beyond is the state of true knowledge and freedom. There is still another aspect of prakriti with its gunas which also it may be useful to indicate in this connection. There is a part of man's nature which will assert itself and no amount of coercion will avail against it. There is another part which is amenable to culture and discipline. The Gita distinguishes the two, but does not, excepting indirectly, indicate the scope of each. It is apparent, however, that the first is the physical and mental constitution which man brings with him at birth and which normally determines his vocation. It is with a view to man's self- development and his being able to fulfill his function as a member of the social organism that his vocation is determined according to his native aptitudes and qualities.