Rajas

10.47468/CSNE.2023.e01.s09.130

The term 'rajas' literally means the active quality of mind. It is among the triguna(three fundamental qualities). [A.S.Sutra Sthana 1/29] It is characterized by enthusiasm, activity, and interest. Intellectual constitution, bio categorization, or body-mind categorization is a fundamental concept in ayurveda. Every individual has unique physical, physiological, and psychological attributes.Ayurveda provides a structure to help understand an individual's mental composition. The differences among the individuals can be easily understood by understanding the concept of shariraand manasprakriti(somatic and psychic composition). The concept of the manas in ayurveda includes details of psychology, mind, and mental health. Characteristics of mana (mind) are three in number viz. sattva, rajas, and tamas. These three represent consciousness, activity, and inertia, respectively. When any one of these three is found dominant in an individual, that reflects the individual's nature. In ShreemadbhagwatGeeta, three character qualitiesor the triguna are described in detail. Sattva, rajas, and tamas are described as trigunaof prakriti Sattva guna is the trait of intelligence or light, which is the trait of complete stability.

1. Rajas guna represents action, motion or ignorance.
2. Tamas guna represents inactivity and darkness.

These three initial characteristics work in unison,forming all the substances in this universe. Rajas guna is responsible for the activity of any object in the universe[Su.Sa.ShariraSthana1/9] andSankhya ideology. It represents action, creation, and passion. Hence it is one of the attributes of the mind.[Chakrapani on Cha.Sa.SutraSthana1/57][Cha.Sa.SutraSthana8/5]
This article describes the concept of rajas guna and its importance in healthcare practices.