Rajas

The term 'rajas' literally means the active quality of mind. It is among the triguna(three fundamental qualities). [A.S.Sutra Sthana 1/29] It is characterized by enthusiasm, activity, and interest. Intellectual constitution, bio categorization, or body-mind categorization is a fundamental concept in ayurveda. Every individual has unique physical, physiological, and psychological attributes.Ayurveda provides a structure to help understand an individual's mental composition. The differences among the individuals can be easily understood by understanding the concept of shariraand manasprakriti(somatic and psychic composition). The concept of the manas in ayurveda includes details of psychology, mind, and mental health. Characteristics of mana (mind) are three in number viz. sattva, rajas, and tamas. These three represent consciousness, activity, and inertia, respectively. When any one of these three is found dominant in an individual, that reflects the individual's nature. In ShreemadbhagwatGeeta, three character qualitiesor the triguna are described in detail. Sattva, rajas, and tamas are described as trigunaof prakriti

1. Sattva guna is the trait of intelligence or light, which is the trait of complete stability.
2. Rajas guna represents action, motion or ignorance.
3. Tamas guna represents inactivity and darkness.

These three initial characteristics work in unison,forming all the substances in this universe. Rajas guna is responsible for the activity of any object in the universe[Su.Sa.ShariraSthana1/9] andSankhya ideology. It represents action, creation, and passion. Hence it is one of the attributes of the mind.[Chakrapani on Cha.Sa.SutraSthana1/57][Cha.Sa.SutraSthana8/5]
This article describes the concept of rajas guna and its importance in healthcare practices.

Contributors

Section/Chapter	Concepts / Rajas
Authors	Bhojani M.K.1, Jain Rahul1, Joglekar Aishwarya 2
Reviewer	Basisht G.3
Editor	Deole Y.S.4
Affiliations	1 Department of Kriya Sharira, A.I.I.A. , New Delhi, India 2 Department of Samhita Siddhanta, D. Y. Patil college of Ayurved and research centre, Pune, India 3 Rheumatologist, Orlando, Florida, U.S.A. 4 Department of Kayachikitsa, G.J.Patel Institute of Ayurvedic Studies and Research, New Vallabhvidya Nagar, Anand, Gujarat, India
Correspondence email	meera.samhita@aiia.gov.in, carakasamhita@gmail.com
Publisher	Charak Samhita Research, Training and Development Centre, I.T.R.A., Jamnagar, India
Date of publication:	March 02, 2023
DOI	10.47468/CSNE.2023.e01.s09.130

Synonyms

Shabdakalpadruma mentions multiple synonyms of the term Raja such as action, mutation, excitement. Some other meaning of the word Rajas in other contexts are Paraga (pollens), Strikusuma (menstrual blood), Dhuli(dust) etc., change, creation, generation, and passion. In the present context, rajas as guna of prakriti(as mentioned in Sankhya Philosophy and Bhagwadgeeta) and mana (according to ayurveda) is considered.

Etymology

The word rajas is acquired from two terms, 'ranja' (means to be attached or devoted to) and 'asunnalopah' (something) , rajas is bound with the sansara, it refers to attachments, desires, greed and who doesn't have satisfaction in life.
Rajas guna is the quality representing activity, variability and urgency, second of the three guna.[ Monnier Williams dictionary]

Characteristics of rajas guna

Rajas gunais chala(mobile), upasthambaka (supporting/encouraging),pravrittikara in nature(explained in detail on the part of the philosophical aspect of rajas guna) [Sankhyakarika]

• Rajas dominant individuals are bound with doshas, active, greedy, roshaamsha(anger/wrath)??[Cha.Sa.ShariraSthana4/36].
• Rajas dominant individuals have qualities such as cunningness, unhappiness (dukha), selfishness, cruelty, self-appraisal, anger,and desirousness. [Su.Sa.ShariraSthanaSharira. 1/18]
• AshtangaSangraha has considered sattva,rajas,tamasas mahaguna (A.S.Sutra Sthana 1/29)

Send us your suggestions and feedback on this page.