Guna

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In Hinduism, a guna is one of three "tendencies" or "mental states": tamas, sattva, and rajas. Originating in Samkhya philosophy, the three gunas are a common means of categorizing behavior and natural phenomena in Hindu philosophy.

Sattva (satva, sattwa) has been translated to mean balance, order, or purity. This typically implies that a person with this quality has a positive or even orderly state of mind. Such a persion is psychologically kind, calm, alert and thoughtful. Compare also the bodhisattvas in Buddhism.

Rajas has been translated to mean overactivity or turmoil: "too active". A person with this mental state has a mind that is ever active, in turmoil, or in a chaotic state. That person is constantly seeking diversions and essentially has difficulty focusing their attention for long durations of time. (Rajas should not be confused with a raja.)

Tamas has been translated to mean "too inactive", negative, lethargic, dull, or slow. Usually it is associated with darkness or ignorance. A tamas quality also can imply that a person has a self-destructive or entropic state of mind. That person is constantly pursuing destructive activities.

These states are also used in Ayurvedic medicine, a traditional Hindu system of holistic medicine, to assess conditions and diets.

References

• The Ayurveda Encyclopedia by Swami Sada Shiva Tirtha