Prakriti and the Three Gunas: The Material Basis of the Universe
In the philosophical systems of Hinduism, Sankhya, and Yoga, Prakriti represents the primordial material substrate from which the entire physical universe manifests. As thoroughly detailed in the Bhagavad Gita, this cosmic matter does not operate randomly; instead, it expresses itself through three innate universal qualities known as the Gunas: Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas.
Gaining a precise understanding of how these cosmic forces bind the individual soul is essential for anyone seeking inner peace and spiritual evolution.
In this guide, Spanish expert Pedro Nonell offers a profound breakdown of these sacred verses, illuminating how nature guides humanity on its journey back to God.
Understanding How the Gunas Inherent to Prakriti Compel Human Action
Prakriti is a key concept in Hinduism (Sankhya doctrine) and in the philosophy of Yoga being clearly stated in the Bhagavad Gita. It refers to the basic matter of the universe.
In Chapter 14 The Yoga of the Differentiation of the Three Gunas of the Bhagavad Gita, Sri Krishna tells Arjuna:
“Sri Krishna: The total material substance (Prakriti) is My womb; where I
deposit the seed of life, and from there all beings are born, O son of Kunti
Whatever form is produced in any womb, O son of Kunti, Great Material Nature is its source, and I am the Father who gives the seed”
Bhagavad Gita 15.3-4.
Prakriti has three different innate qualities (Gunas) whose balance is the basis of harmony. The Gunas are three: Sattva, Rajas and Tamas; They are present in everyone and everything. In Chapter 3 of the Bhagavad Gita, Sri Krishna said to Arjuna:
“Sri Krishna: For nothing remains inactive even for a moment; everyone acts compelled by the Gunas inherent to Prakriti” Bhagavad Gita 3.5 (The Yoga of Action).
In verse 7 of Chapter 15 of the Bhagavad Gita, The Yoga of Supreme Person, we find the relationship between Jiva, man, mind and Prakriti when Krishna says to Arjuna:
“Sri Krishna: Only a portion of My eternal Self has become the embodied soul (Jiva) in the material World; he (Jiva) attracts (towards himself) with the mind as the sixth sense, the other five senses, abiding in Prakriti” Bhagavad Gita 15.7 (Yoga of the Supreme Person).
In verse 22 of chapter 13, we find the relationship Purusha, Gunas, Samsara and Prakriti:
“Sri Krishna: For Purusha, residing in Prakriti, experiences the Gunas born of Prakriti; Attachment to these Gunas is the cause of their birth in both good and bad wombs” Bhagavad Gita 13.22 (Yoga Field and the Knower of the Field).
For Swami Sivananda:
“Prakriti, or nature, is that state in which the Three Gunas exist in a state of balance. When this balance is disturbed, creation begins and the body, senses and mind are formed.” Sri .
The concept of Prakriti also exists in Jainism and Buddhism as well as in the Bhagavad Gita and the Philosophy of Yoga.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is the relationship between Prakriti and the Gunas?
A1: Prakriti is the fundamental matter of the cosmos. It contains three inherent qualities or energy configurations called Gunas: Sattva (purity/harmony), Rajas (passion/action), and Tamas (inertia/darkness). When their natural balance shifts, physical creation emerges.
Q2: Who is Pedro Nonell?
A2: Pedro Nonell is a leading Spanish scholar, translator, and commentator specialized in the Bhagavad Gita, Advaita Vedanta, and the transformative philosophies of Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda.
Q3: How does human action relate to God through Prakriti?
A3: According to the Bhagavad Gita, all human bodies and minds are compelled to act by the Gunas within Prakriti. By recognizing that nature is God's material womb, an individual can cultivate non-attachment and move closer to spiritual liberation.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the study of Prakriti and the three Gunas provides an invaluable blueprint for navigating human behavior and spiritual growth. The texts preserved through the lineage of and spread globally by Swami Vivekananda emphasize that our minds, senses, and physical bodies are temporary modifications of this cosmic matter.
Recognizing that our actions are often driven by these inherent natural forces allows us to cultivate non-attachment. By striving to transcend these binding qualities, seekers can liberate the individual soul, moving past the constraints of material nature to realize eternal unity with God.
Prakriti Bhagavad Gita 
Prakriti.
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(c) Gita Institute & Pedro Nonell
