The Gita according to Gandhi 2

The Gita according to Gandhi -Mahadev Desai

A. THE SANKHYA SYSTEM The evolution of the manifested universe out of this unmanifest prakriti arises as a result of the disturbance in the equilibrium of its three constituents which are postulated as self-evident. These constituents are called gunas, literally meaning threads or strands which compose the string of prakriti, They are called sattva, rajas and tamas, the sources respectively of existence, of motion, and inertia, their functions being light, activity -and restraint. They are, however, not mutually contradictory, and they exist together, in fact are never separate; they slip into one another and intermingle with one another. As soon as their equilibrium is disturbed, prakriti begins to evolve and whatever evolves, bears an impress of these constituents, and the infinite variety of differences in the objects in the universe is due to the varying proportion of these constituents in each, and their interaction amongst themselves. But prakriti cannot evolve, except under the influence of purusha, a principle as eternal as prakriti and of which the existence is posited and proved, by the Sankhyan philosopher by various arguments into which, we need not go. Purusha is the Soul that informs the hody prakriti; unlike the prakriti he is inactive, he is without gunas, and the subject and seer of all objects possessing the gunas, uncaused and unproductive.