Concept

Gunas: FAQ & Sources

गुण

The gunas are the three strands of nature, sattva (clarity), rajas (passion) and tamas (inertia), whose mix shapes every mind and action. The Gita asks us to rise above all three.

Updated 14 Nov 20263 sources

Frequently asked questions

What are the three gunas?

Sattva (clarity), rajas (energy and craving) and tamas (inertia and dullness), the strands that make up nature.

What does the Bhagavad Gita say about the gunas?

Chapter 14 explains how each guna binds the self, and 3.27 says all action is done by the gunas.

Is one guna better than the others?

Sattva is considered most refined, but the Gita says even sattva binds through attachment.

How do the gunas affect daily life?

They colour mood, food, work and faith; chapters 17 and 18 give examples of each kind.

Can one go beyond the gunas?

Yes. The Gita describes a person who stays balanced amid all three and is free of their hold (14.22 to 14.25).

Sources and further reading

Samkhya Karika of Ishvarakrishna
Bhagavad Gita, Chapters 3, 14, 17 and 18
Commentaries of Shankara and Ramanuja on the Gita

Read our editorial policy on how scripture, Purana and folk tradition are labelled.

Continue exploring

Connected to Gunas

Open the explorer