Sutra Insights
Guna
Definition: The three fundamental qualities (sattva, rajas, tamas) that constitute nature and influence the mind.
Insights: The gunas are the fundamental qualities that constitute all of nature and influence the mind and behavior. Yoga seeks to cultivate sattva (purity), while reducing rajas (activity) and tamas (inertia).
Related Sutras
2.18
prakāśakriyāsthitiśīlaṁ bhūtendriyātmakaṁ bhogāpavargārthaṁ dṛśyam
The Seen has the nature of illumination, activity, and inertia; it consists of the elements and the sense organs; its purpose is to provide experience and liberation to the Seer.
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2.19
viśeṣāviśeṣaliṅgamātrāliṅgāni guṇaparvāṇi
The stages of the guṇas are the particularized, the unparticularized, the mark-only, and the unmarked.
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2.23
svasvāmiśaktyoḥ svarūpopalabdhihetuḥ saṁyogaḥ
The conjunction (of the Seer and the Seen) is the cause for the apprehension of the true nature of their respective powers, the power of the owner (Puruṣa) and the power of the owned (Prakṛti).
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4.13
te vyaktasūkṣmā guṇātmānaḥ
They (characteristics) are manifest or subtle, being of the nature of the guṇas.
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