From the Archives of Swami Jyotirmayananda
By Swami Jyotirmayananda
Why do we drift from one relationship to another, seeking a fulfillment that always seems just out of reach? We are like children chasing the reflection of the sun in a jar of water. The reflection is bright, but it is unstable. It is not the Sun.
In the 54th Sutra of the Narada Bhakti Sutras, the sage Narada defines the highest form of devotion as Gunarahitam—devoid of the three modes of nature. To understand this profound concept, we must first understand the machinery of our own minds and the influence of the three Gunas: Tamas, Rajas, and Sattva.
The soul instinctively seeks absolute love. However, equipped with a conditioned mind, it often cannot handle the “blazing presence” of God directly. Instead, it settles for the clouds—the temporary objects of the world that reflect a fraction of that divine beauty. As Swamiji notes, “Loving a rainbow is easier than loving the Sun.”
Understanding Tamas: The Addiction to Negativity
When the quality of Tamas dominates, the mind is prone to inertia, dullness, and a pervasive negativity. Surprisingly, the mind can become addicted to this stagnant state. We often see this manifest as a fascination with terror, tragedy, and gossip. In this state, even devotion can be tragically misused; one might pray for the destruction of an enemy rather than for universal enlightenment and peace.
Understanding Rajas: The Trap of Distraction
Rajas is the energy of passion, activity, and ambition. A Rajasic mind is restless and driven, constantly seeking validation, name, and fame. It’s akin to the man who burns down his hut just to show off his gold ring to the neighbors, sacrificing substance for fleeting recognition. In this state, devotion becomes transactional—we love God only so He can help us pass an examination or succeed in business, turning spiritual practice into a mere means to worldly ends.
Understanding Sattva: The Golden Cage
Sattva represents harmony, balance, and clarity. It is undeniably the most desirable state within the material world, leading to culture, intellectual study, and inner peace. However, even Sattva, for all its virtues, is still a limitation. If our spiritual feelings depend on a “good mood” or favorable external circumstances, we are still trapped by the Gunas, bound by their inherent impermanence.
“A little Sattva is a dangerous thing… by the time you are dazzled by it, it is gone.”
Trigunatita: Beyond the Modes
True Bhakti (divine love) begins when we transcend even Sattva. We become Trigunatita—one who has gone beyond the influence of all three Gunas. In this elevated state, the love of God is Avichchinnam—uninterrupted and ceaseless. It does not depend on external happenings or internal moods; it is a spontaneous, ceaseless flow, like a mighty river moving inevitably toward the vast, boundless ocean.
Scholar’s Corner
- Narada Bhakti Sutra 54: Gunarahitam kamanarahitam pratikshanavardhamanam avichchinnam sukshmataram anubhavarupam. (Translation: Supreme love is without attributes, without desire, growing every moment, unbroken, subtler than the subtlest, and of the nature of direct experience.)
- Bhagavad Gita: Often references the characteristics of the Trigunatita (one who has crossed the three Gunas), offering profound insights into this state of liberation.
Glossary of Terms
- Gunas: The three fundamental modes or qualities of material nature (Sattva, Rajas, Tamas) that influence all aspects of existence.
- Bhakti: Devotion or profound love for the Divine, often expressed through spiritual practices and surrender.
- Maya: The cosmic illusion that veils true reality, making the temporary appear permanent and the unreal seem real.
- Anubhavarupam: A state characterized by direct, intuitive experience, independent of intellectual understanding or sensory perception.
Watch the full lecture by Swami Jyotirmayananda here: https://youtu.be/0p_QAyxhcY
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