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.
- Rajas guna represents action, motion or ignorance.
- 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.
| 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.[2] 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.[3]
Rajas guna is the quality representing activity, variability and urgency, second of the three guna.[ Monnier Williams dictionary][4]
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][5]
- 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)
Description of rajas dominance in Shreemad Bhagavad Geeta:
Rajas dominant individuals are bound with samsara (the indefinitely repeated cycles of birth,misery and death), attachments, desires, and greed and don't have life satisfaction. [ShreemadbhagwatGeeta, Gunatrayavibhaga Yoga, 14/7-17]
Following are the characters of rajas guna:
- Ragatmaka: leads to attachment to material happiness and sexual urges
- Trishnasamudbhava: derived from excessive desire and ambition
- Karmasangenabadhnatijeevam:binds the soul through attachment to actions
- Lobha:greediness
- Pravritti: restlessness
- Arambha:commencement of different karma or actions
- Karmanamashamaspruha: Excessively driven towards
- Dukkha:cause of sorrow and unhappiness
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References
- ↑ A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda, 1972. Bhagavad-gītā as it is. Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, New York
- ↑ Radhakantadeva, Vasu, V., & VASU, H.Śabdakalpadrumah ,(1886)Page No. 83, Available from https://www.sanskritlexicon.unikoeln.de/scans/cslapidev/servepdf.php?dict=skd&page=4-083
- ↑ Radhakantadeva, Vasu, V., & VASU, H.Śabdakalpadrumah ,(1886)Page No. 83, Available fromhttps://www.sanskritlexicon.unikoeln.de/scans/cslapidev/servepdf.php?dict=skd&page=4-083
- ↑ Monier-Williams, M. Page No.828 , (1872), Available from https://www.sanskrit-lexicon.uni-koeln.de/scans/csl-apidev/servepdf.php?dict=mw72&page=0828
- ↑ Ishwarkrishna, Sankhyakarika with Abhinavarajlakshmi Bhashya by Gaudapada and hindi translation by Sitaramshashtri and Prof. Balashashta,Sankhyakarika number 12-13 , printed 2019 , Chaukhambha Surbharati Prakashana , Varanasi , Page No.52-55