In life, till we are bound to the wheel of Karma, we will be bounced constantly between the crests of joy and troughs of sorrow. The nature of resolutions we make predict the vagaries of our fate of this present life as well as future births.
There are three kinds of resolutions we make. Tamasic resolutions are full of indifference towards
others. Tamas is the quality of inertia, sloth, ignorance and lack of consideration.
People who have a high degree of Tamas are often cruel and sadistic.
Rajasic resolutions are always directed at the result of an action. Rajas is the quality of aggressive hyperactivity or restlessness. People who are in the Rajasic mode do not undertake any activity without expectations.
They also lack patience and tolerance. Sattvic resolutions are always very pure and selfless. Sattvic people put the needs of others before their own and are extremely patient, tolerant and compassionate.
Let us understand this better with an example—A century ago, three thieves lived in a big forest. They made their living by robbing the travellers who passed that way. One evening they waylaid a rich merchant who ventured into their territory. The first thief said, “Let us kill him and take away his jewels and money.” The second thief said, “There is no need to kill him. Let us threaten him and take whatever we want.” The third thief said nothing.
Finally, the three thieves frightened the merchant, snatched all his valuables and ran away.
After they had gone a little way, the third thief was overcome by remorse and said, “Both of you share the valuables of this robbery. I want no share in it. That traveller must be scared out of his wits.
I will go back and help him.”
Saying this, the third thief returned to the traveller and escorted him through the forest to the nearest town.
In this story, the first thief who wanted to kill the merchant represents the quality of Tamas. The second thief, who decided that it was enough to frighten the merchant to get the valuables, represents the quality of Rajas.
The third thief, who heeded the voice of his conscience and went back to help the merchant, represents the quality of Sattva. Sattvic people always listen to the dictates of their conscience. When we allow our conscience to guide us all the time, it is very easy to lead an ethical and principled life.
Whenever we ignore our conscience, it means that either the quality of Tamas or Rajas is predominant in us. If we examine our motives in all circumstances, we will discover if we are putting our own needs before the needs of others. Only those who are pure and selfless can understand and experience God.
Without sublime purity, what we hear or read does not bring about any transformation in us. When we listen to the teachings of Great Beings with a pure heart and a crystal clear mind, what they say penetrates into the very core of our being, becomes a resolve and transforms us completely to exit the loop of Karma.
ashram-india@ shrinimishamba.org