BASIC PRINCIPLES OF AYURVEDA

Trigunas

Three Mental Qualities: Sattwa, Rajas, Tamas

The three gunas - sattwa, rajas, and tamas - are found in nature and in the mind, paralleling the three doshas of the body. Sattwa, or purity, is the ideal state of mind because a person with this quality is calm, alert, kind, and thoughtful. A person whose mind is predominantly rajasic (too active) always seeks diversions (incessant activity). The tamas-predominant mind is a dull, lethargic mind.

Just as combinations of Vayu, Pitta and Kapha exist for the body, the mind has combinations of sattwa, rajas, and tamas. Individuals whose minds are sattwic and rajasic are those who enthusiastically study spiritual and holistic measures to improve themselves. Rajasic-tamasic minded people will actively work and exercise to overcome their lethargy.

The proper balance of the mind and the development of purity and peace help in the development of a sattwic mind. This is the first stage of samadhi or spiritual realization.
To decide the cause of illness, the practitioner observes, questions and takes the pulse of the patient. Learning its cause, or seeing it in its incubatory, beginning, developmental, or advanced stages can help in the understanding of illness.

Vayu 

When Vayu dosha persons are balanced,
they are cheerful, creative, and adaptable.
When Vayu doshas are imbalanced,
they are worried, nervous, fearful, and giddy.

The mental constitution of Vayu individuals tends towards fear, anxiety and insecurity. They can be easily deceived with threats or promises. They do not have much courage, are of a solitary nature, and possess few intimate friends (although they form friends with those in other social circles). Vayu people do not make good leaders or followers and are not materialistic as they spend what they earn freely.

Sattwic influence creates comprehension, the need for unity and healing, and creates a positive mental outlook.
Rajasic influence creates indecisiveness, unreliability, hyperactivity, and anxiety.
Tamasic influence creates fear, a servile attitude, dishonesty, depression, self-destructiveness, addictive behaviour, sexual perversions, animal instincts or suicidal thoughts.

Pitta 

When Pitta dosha individuals are healthy or balanced,
they are goal-oriented, powerful, warm, athletic.
When Pitta doshas are imbalanced,
they are burnt out, angry, impatient, irritable, critical.

Individuals of Pitta constitution possess fiery emotions like irritability, anger and hate. Mentally, they have the ability of penetration; yet can be aggressive and are seldom sentimental. They are determined, articulate, convincing and yet may try to dominate others with their will and ideas. They are self-righteous and may become fanatical. Pitta people are good leaders, ambitious and work hard to achieve great goals. They help their families and friends but are cruel and unforgiving to enemies. Also, they are bold, adventurous, daring and enjoy challenges. Although they have much clarity, they lack compassion.

Sattwic influence creates clarity, intelligence, leadership, warmth and independence.
Rajasic influence creates willfulness, ambition, anger, manipulation, vanity, impulsiveness and aggressiveness.
Tamasic influence creates vindictiveness, violence, hate, criminality and psychopathic behavior.

Kapha

When Kapha dosha persons are healthy,
they love to cook for others, are strong, and loyal.
Imbalanced Kapha doshas become lethargic,
hoarding, overly materialistic.

These are the emotional ones; full of love, desire, romance and sentiments. However, they also harbour the negative emotions of lust and greed. Kapha doshas find it hard to adapt to new situations, yet are very loyal. They have many friends and are close to their families, communities, religions and countries. They are more comfortable with practical knowledge than with abstract ideas.

Sattwic influence creates calmness, peace, love, compassion, faith, nurturing, and forgiveness.
Rajasic influence creates greed for money, material luxuries, and comfort. They are sentimental, controlling, attached and lustful.
Tamasic influences create dullness, lethargy, depression, lack of care and a tendency to steal.

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