Karika 12: The three gunas: nature, purpose, working
The words
Translation
The three gunas [sattva, rajas and tamas] are characterised by happiness, sorrow and dejection. Their functions are illumination, stimulation and restraint respectively. By nature, they suppress or dominate one another, support one another, generate [the creation] jointly and work together.
The three gunas
Sattva
Rajas
Tamas
Its nature (karika 12)
happiness
sorrow
dejection
Its function (karika 12)
illumination
stimulation
restraint
Its character (karika 13)
light and illuminating
stimulating and active
heavy and restraining
They suppress one another, support one another, generate the creation jointly and work together, like the parts of a clay lamp.
Karika 12 adds the three gunas, inside Prakriti. Tap any box to see what the karikas say about it.