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We have seen the seven types of Suddha Sattva. Similarly, there
are six types of Rajasa Sattva, mind where Rajas is predominant.
1.ASURA SATTVA
Asu means Prana or life force. Those who are centered in life
force or self-centered are called Asuras.
2.RAKSHASA SATTVA
Ravana was a Rakshasa. This indicates a mind which is aggressive
and perverted.
3.PISACHA SATTVA
Pertaining to Pisacha, which means an invisible spirit.
4.SARPA SATTVA
Pertaining to sarpa, serpent. This type is a mind which is timid
normally but ferocious when angry.
5.PRETA SATTVA
Pertaining to preta, dead body. It is unclean and loathsome.
6.SAKUNA SATTVA
Pertaining to sakuna, bird. This type of mind is interested in
food and sex only.
While the seven Suddha Sattva are sublime and desirable, the
six Rajasa Sattva are not so. Now we come to the Tamasa Sattva
which is of three types.
1.PASU SATTVA
Pasu: Means an animal. This mind is characterised by a lack of
discrimination. It is not given to thinking and reflecting.
2.MATSYA SATTVA
Matsya: Means fish. This type of mind is timid and swift.
3.VANASPATI SATTVA
Vanaspati means trees and herbs. It is not an active mind. In
Tamil there is a poem which says. “Those which stand in the
forest are not trees; but those human beings who have no
understanding are trees.”
Thus the mind is classified into so many types. The behaviour
of the individual is governed by the type of mind. Rajasa and
Tamasa Sattvas lead us to actions which give rise to undesirable
consequences which are to be borne by the doer. One cannot
escape these consequences.
At the time of conception, the Jiva or Atma is propelled by
the Karma and Klesha, the previous actions and enters the womb
of the mother.
This is the reason why disease is classified into three
varieties:
Doashaja type is the disease generated by the vitiations of
doshas. This type can be traced to the doshas involved and
appropriate medicine can be given to cure the ailment. Normally,
we take medicines which oppose the tendencies of the doshas
which cause the disease.
Karmaja diseases are the consequences of our actions. When we
perform unwise actions under the influence of Rajasa and Tamas
Sattvas, we will have to bear the consequences. This leads to
disease of the Karmaja type. This disease is cured only when our
Karma ceases to exist.
The third kind of disease is dosha karmaja. Here the cause is
a combination of vitiated doshas and the consequence of Karma.
The cause may be very mild but the disease and the consequences
would appear to be very big in this type of disease.
For this type of disease to be cured, both these factors must
become extinct – the doshas must come back to equilibrium and
the Karma must cease to operate.
In both Karmaja and dosha-karmaja types of diseases, the mind
plays an important role, since the Rajasa and Tamasa Sattvas are
among the causative factors which sow the seed for the disease.
Therefore, a regimen which influences the mahat or Buddhi is as
important as diet and behaviour regimen.
The three-way classification of disease as given above makes
it necessary that treatment (chikitsa) also follow one of three
paths.
Disease cannot always be cured by medicine alone as we have
seen above.
Daiva Vyapasraya Chikitsa
Yukti is analysis, application of intelligence and reasoning to
arrive at a solution. Here we apply our mind and infer the
causes for the disease. Having enquired into and found the
causes, we apply the appropriate remedial measures so that the
disease is cured.
Sattvavajaya:
(Sattva) is the mind (Avajaya) is the process bringing the mind
under control so that we do not make errors in our judgment and
actions. This approach is particularly relevant in the treatment
of mental illness. It is here that Yoga Tapas, etc., become very
important.
From the above discussion we understand the importance of
mental and physical constitution and its application in the
etiology of diseases.
Dr C C Sagy
Ph No: 044 – 2573 5800 / 098840 22742
E-mail: Drsagy_cheru@yahoo.com
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Various types of minds
