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Abstract

The three subtle basic components of sattva, raja and tama are the very fabric of creation. Unknown to modern sciences, they permeate through all living and
non-living, tangible and intangible things. The vibrations emitted by anything are dependent on the predominant subtle basic component. It also influences the
behaviour of all things. The proportion of these components in human beings can only be changed by spiritual practice.

Table of contents

1. Introduction and definition

2. Comparison between the smallest physical elements and the three subtle basic components

3. What do the subtle basic components (trigunas) look like?

4. The three subtle basic components and the five cosmic elements

5. The three subtle basic components and the world

5.1 Natural Disasters

5.2 Non-living things

5.3 Living entities

6. The three subtle basic components and human beings

6.1 In relation to what we are comprised of

6.2 In relation to spiritual level

6.3 Reduction of the influence of the three components with increasing spiritual level

6.4 With relation to our personality

7. The three subtle basic components and our lifestyle

8. The three subtle basic components and ghosts (demons, devils, negative energies etc.)

9. In summary

1. Introduction and definition

The purpose of this article is to give our readers a strong foundation about the concept of the three subtle basic components. It is a very important article for our
readers as it forms the basis of many of the articles on this website.

According to modern sciences, the Universe is made up of basic physical particles that include electrons, protons, neutrons, mesons, gluons and quarks.

At a spiritual level however, the Universe is made up of something even more basic. These basic particles are known as the 3 subtle basic components (trigunas)
namely sattva, raja and tama. In the word triguna, ‘tri’ stands for three while ‘gunas’ stand for subtle components.

The characteristics of each of these components are described in brief in the following table:

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We call the components subtle because they are intangible, not physical in nature and cannot be seen with any instruments such as the latest electronic microscopes.
Technically advanced physical instrumentation in the future too will not be able to measure them. These three subtle basic components can only be perceived by the
subtle sense organs or our sixth sense (ESP).

The subtle basic sattva component is the most subtle or intangible of the three subtle basic components. It is the component nearest to divinity. Hence its
predominance in a person is characterised by happiness, contentment, virtues like patience, perseverance, ability to forgive, spiritual yearning etc.

The subtle basic tama component is the basest of the three. Its predominance in a person is reflected by laziness, greed, attachment to worldly matters
etc.

The subtle basic raja component provides fuel to the other two, i.e. brings about the action. So depending on whether a person is predominantly sattvik
or tamasik the subtle basic raja component will bring about actions pertaining to sattva or tama.

Due to the intangible nature of subtle basic sattva, raja and tama components, schools and universities that teach modern sciences are unaware that they exist.
Hence they do not include them in their curriculum. As a result, the concept of the three subtle basic components may seem alien to some of us. However this does
not discount the fact that they pervade our entire existence and the world we live in. Depending on which one of the three subtle components is predominant within us,
it influences how we:

React to situations

Make decisions

Make choices

Live our lives.

Since they are not physical in nature, it is difficult to put a finger on them and give them a physical characteristic. Through this article, we have endeavoured to give
you a sense of what these three subtle components are about and how they influence our lives.

2. Comparison between the smallest physical elements and the three subtle basic components

The following table gives some basic differences between the smallest physical elements known to modern sciences and the even more basic subtle components that
are known to Spiritual science.

Parameter Smallest physical particle Subtle basic components

Type Physical Subtle or intangible

How to measure? By physical instruments such as an By our sixth sense (ESP) through the medium of
electron microscope our subtle senses.

Make up All of the physical world All of creation, whether the physical, psychological
or spiritual realm. Even the smallest physical
particles are made up of a combination of sattva,
raja and tama. Even our thoughts, which are
intangible, are made up of the three subtle
components.

Their characteristics Influence the physical attributes of Influence the behaviour of all of creation, the
creation such as whether something decisions and choices we make etc. However the
is solid or fluid etc. sattva, raja and tama components even affect
physical attributes, e.g. the tama component
causes materialisation or solidification.

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3. What do the subtle basic components (trigunas) look like?

The following diagram obtained through the sixth sense (ESP) shows what the three subtle basic components look like when they are active.

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The three subtle basic components are basically intangible particles. When they are active, i.e. when there is energy accompanying it they appear in a wave form.

Explanation of the diagram

Colour: The subtle basic sattva component appears yellow, the subtle basic raja component red and the subtle basic tama component black in colour
when perceived through highly active sixth sense.

Wavelength: The subtle basic raja component being the most active is reflected in its wavelength, whereas the subtle basic sattva component being
more tranquil has a longer wavelength. The disorganised and distorted nature of the subtle basic tama component is reflected in its irregular wavelength.

Amplitude: The amplitude of the raja component is the highest as it is most active. The subtle basic sattva component is lower and regular whereas the
subtle basic tama component is low and irregular.

Length: Their length is dictated according to the need of the function.

4. The three subtle basic components and the five cosmic elements

The three subtle components also make up the five Absolute Cosmic elements (Panchamahabhoota). The five cosmic elements are Absolute Earth, Absolute Water,
Absolute Fire, Absolute Air and Absolute Ether. The cosmic elements are intangible in nature and are the subtle most aspect of the actual elements that we can see
and feel. For example, the Absolute Water cosmic element is the subtlest form of the water that goes to make up the rivers and the oceans etc. In short, the five
Absolute Cosmic elements are the building blocks of the Universe; but they too are made up of the three subtle basic components.

The following table shows how each Absolute Cosmic Element differs in their composition with regards to the proportion of the three subtle basic components.

As you can see from the table above, the Absolute Earth Cosmic element has the highest amount of the tama hence it is also the heaviest. The subtle basic tama
component limits the existence whereas the subtle basic sattva component makes it expansive. This explains why the absolute Earth element is the most inferior
among the five cosmic elements. It also explains why the absolute Ether element is the most subtle and sattvik and hence most powerful. The reduction in the tama
subtle basic component across the 5 major cosmic elements makes the elements progressively less tangible. For example, Fire is less gross or tangible than Earth.

Man too is basically composed predominantly of the Absolute Earth and Water elements. As he starts evolving spiritually he starts functioning progressively at higher
levels like the Absolute Fire element etc. This is characterised by a sense of radiance emanating from a spiritually evolved person. When this happens he has lesser
basic needs like food and sleep. His comprehension and capacity to perform various activities increases markedly both quantitatively and qualitatively.

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5. The three subtle basic components and the world

5.1 Natural Disasters

If there is an increase in the raja and tama in the world, it translates into increased wars, terrorist activities and natural disasters. The increase in raja and tama in the
world causes a destabilisation of the five cosmic elements resulting in catastrophic natural disasters. Please refer to the article on the reason behind the increasing
intensity of natural disasters.

5.2 Non-living things

The following chart shows relationship between non-living things and the three subtle components.

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5.3 Living entities

The following chart shows relationship between living entities and the three subtle components. As you can see, across the board, life has a greater value in terms of
the sattva subtle basic component as opposed to even religious places as shown in the table above.

This is also one of the main reasons why the spiritual level of a person in the premise has more impact on the overall vibrations emanating from a premise as opposed
to the premise itself. For example, if a person of the level of a Saint enters a premise that has negative vibrations due to being wrongly constructed, it will have
negligible effect on the Saint. Thus the science of Feng-shui and Vastu-shastra is of more relevance to persons at lower spiritual levels or those who do not perform
any spiritual practice.

6. The three subtle basic components and human beings

In the subsequent sub-sections, we expand on how the three subtle basic components impact different aspects of our lives.

6.1 In relation to what we are comprised of

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As the subtle basic raja component is related to the functioning of the body, its proportion is the same in all the bodies. However as you can see from the table above,
there is a considerable difference between the sattva and tama components across the various bodies. This has a direct impact in the ability of the body to provide us
sustainable and long lasting happiness. For example, the sattva component in the intellect body is high compared to the physical body. Therefore the quality of the
happiness when we are intellectually stimulated and satisfied is of a higher quality and more lasting than happiness experienced due to the physical body.

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6.2 In relation to spiritual level

Spiritual level and its relation to the proportion of three subtle basic components are very closely interlinked. However their relationship is pretty much a chicken and
egg thing. We can say that a person’s spiritual level is defined by the predominance of the sattva, raja and tama components. Alternatively we can also say that the
predominance of any one of the sattva, raja and tama components defines a person’s spiritual level. As we do spiritual practice we begin to change the proportion of
the 3 subtle basic components within us towards more of the sattva component. In other words, we change the tama component into sattva.

As we generate more of the sattva component within us (in proportion to the other two subtle components), it positively affects our spiritual level and also our
personalities.

The following is a graph that shows the different proportions of the three subtle basic components within us as we increase our spiritual level through spiritual practice.

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Footnotes:

1. After the 50% spiritual level, the proportion of the three components remain static. The reason for this is that one cannot have any less that 20% tama. If it
did happen the person would begin to dematerialise. So until one has a body the tama component cannot be less than 20%. However the effect of the
components on the person is diluted with a further rise in spiritual level, so much so that at the spiritual level of 80%, the effect of them is negligible on the
person. In the next sub-section we explain this dilution in detail.

2. As long as an evolved Saint of 100% spiritual level is within the body, He will be made up of the 3 subtle basic components. As soon as He dies and leaves
His body all of the three subtle basic components become zero and the Saint merges completely with God.

6.3 Reduction of the influence of the three components with increasing spiritual level

As we grow spiritually what intrinsically happens is that the darkness of the five senses, mind and intellect begins to reduce and consequently the Soul (i.e. the God)
within us begins to illuminate. Refer to the diagram below. This is also known as the dissolution of the five senses, mind and intellect. We call the five senses, mind and
intellect as the darkness or ignorance as it keeps us away from identifying with our true state i.e. the God within us or the Soul.

The Soul, which is the God within us, is beyond the 3 subtle basic components and is therefore not comprised of them. Therefore the more the light of the Soul is
illuminated within us through spiritual practice, the less the influence of the three components in dictating our personalities, choices and actions. In the final stages of
our spiritual growth when the light of the Soul illuminates us almost completely, we live our lives in complete unison with God’s will and the three components are diluted
and exert a negligible influence on our personalities.

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6.4 With relation to our personality

In the below table, we have provided a few pointers that will help to distinguish the type of personality that a person displays according to the predominant subtle
component.
These are just pointers to give one a basic understanding. A correct analysis of the predominant subtle basic component in a person can only be ascertained through
one’s sixth sense (ESP).

Sattvik person Rajasik person Tamasik person

Lazy, inactive, depressed,

Angry, jealous, proud, egoistic,
extremely selfish, not
Complete control on bossy, attention seeking, greedy,
Personality thinking about others or
emotions, thoughts and going to any extent to fulfil
defects even harming them when
actions worldly ambitions and desires,
fulfilling one’s selfish ends,
worrying, day dreamer
irritable

All virtues, truthful and

lawful, tolerant, serene,
stable intellect, not Industrious but directionless
Virtues egotistical. efforts in terms of spiritual None
Finally, going beyond virtues growth
and defects, fearless about
death too

Acquiring knowledge, skills,

helping others, meditation,
Main way of
increasing spiritual level. Gaining authority, worldly Eating, drinking, sexual
gaining
Finally goes beyond possessions intercourse etc.
happiness
happiness-unhappiness
towards Bliss

Living to serve society and

help people grow spiritually.
Here growing spiritually
In relation to
means in a more universal
others
sense according to the 6
basic laws of spiritual
practice.
Harming others. Most
Self-centred or helping others
tamasik – harming society
with a lot of ego about the help
at large in the name of
being given
religion or some ideology.

Sleep 4-6 hours 7-9 hours 12-15 hours

Spiritual power High Slight Very low 1

Foot note:

1. The exception to this is a subtle sorcerer who may have a lot of spiritual strength due to undertaking spiritual practice for evil reasons but is predominantly
tamasik.

These attributes are not mutually exclusive. For example, a certain sattvik person may need 9 hours of sleep or a tamasik person may have a virtue like tolerance.
But the person’s nature is decided by the overall sum total of the virtues and defects. Hence one should not decide about oneself or others based on one or two
characteristics but the overall picture needs to be taken into consideration.

Also it is very rare that a person is found to be entirely sattvik, rajasik or tamasik. Mostly a person is either sattva-raja or raja-sattva or raja-tama predominant. A
sattva-raja person would have characteristics of both sattva and raja in almost similar proportion with predominance of sattva. In the case of a raja-sattva person it
would be just opposite.

Depending on the subtle component that is most predominant within a person, they will accordingly display that type of personality. However as much one may dress
up or camouflage oneself behind expensive clothes and accessories and sophisticated small talk, the basic frequencies that one emits will be based on the component
that is most predominant within one. People with advanced sixth sense can look beyond the external veneer that people project to the world and pick up these subtle
and intangible frequencies. As a result, they can easily tell a person’s basic nature i.e. sattvik, rajasik or tamasik and the characteristics that they are most likely to
display.

A true litmus test of one’s predominant component is when one is left to themselves. According to their behaviour in a situation when they are not monitored a person
generally shows their true colours. The following example will help crystallise this point.

Let us take an example of a class of students in the 4th grade. They are a noisy, rowdy bunch, with a teacher who tries hard to discipline them. If the
teacher's voice is very firm she has a fair chance of keeping the class quiet. As a result, the class is quiet only in her presence. However the moment she
leaves the class they are back to their mischievous ways. This is because these children are basically rajasik and tamasik in nature.
If on the other hand there is a sattvik child in the class and his fellow students try to enlist his participation in some incorrect act like bullying, playing a
nasty prank or indulging in cheating, the child would absolutely not be able to comply as his basic nature is sattvik. He is more likely to get a knot in his
stomach, than enjoy whatever his classmates were suggesting. He would not be able to live with himself if he did any incorrect act.

Thus rather than superficially trying to change children through moral value lectures, a permanent change could be found if they were encouraged to do
spiritual practice and were brought up in a spiritually conducive environment which would increase their sattva component.

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7. The three subtle basic components and our lifestyle

Everything around us can be categorised as sattvik, rajasik or tamasik depending on the predominant subtle component that they are made up off. The predominant
subtle component in anything can only be measured by one’s sixth sense (ESP).

We have provided a few generic examples of the various facets of the world we live in and the dominant subtle component. Depending on whether we are sattvik,
rajasik or tamasik individuals, we will gravitate towards sattvik, rajasik or tamasik. Also by associating ourselves with the various components increases the
component within us.

8. The three subtle components and ghosts (demons, devils, negative energies etc.)

Ghosts (demons, devils, negative energies etc.) are primarily raja and tama predominant. Ghosts that are lower in the hierarchy i.e. below 50% spiritual strength such
as common ghosts are raja-tama predominant. Ghosts that are higher in the hierarchy i.e. above the 50% spiritual strength such as sorcerer from the 6th and 7th
region of Hell are tama-raja predominant.

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As ghosts are raja-tama predominant, they frequent raja-tama environments on Earth as they are most likely to find raja-tama predominant people there. These like
minded people are ideal targets for possession and carrying out the plans of ghosts on Earth. In other words, a person who is predominantly tamasik and who has a
liking for harming others stands a high risk of being controlled by ghosts to harm society.

The principle behind protecting oneself against a ghost is to increase one’s sattvikta. As ghosts are tama predominant they cannot tolerate high sattvik environments
or people. It is for this reason they simply cannot possess a higher level Saint or a Guru.

Refer to the article on ‘Why does a possessed person manifest when in contact with a higher sattvik influence?’

9. In summary

The key points to take away from this article are:

All of us emit sattva, raja or tama frequencies depending on which subtle component is predominant. The more the sattva component within us the
better our personalities, the higher the sustainable success and contentment in our career, relationships and lives.

The sattva component can be increased through spiritual practice along with dissociating oneself from raja and tama influences as much as possible.

The company that we keep is a strong influence in helping us in our spiritual practice.

Ghosts take advantage of tama predominant environment and people to carry out their activities of harming society and reducing Righteousness in the
world.

Related Links

What is sixth sense (ESP)?

What are the five cosmic elements?
The reason behind the increasing intensity of natural disasters
What is spiritual level?
Who is a Saint?
Who is a Guru?
What is a ghost?
Why does a possessed person manifest when in contact with a higher sattvik influence?

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