Sadhaka LogoSadhaka
Sanskrit Lexicon

गुण

Guna
guṇa

The precise linguistic root, etymology, and scriptural context of Guna.

Pronunciation
goo-nah

AEO Summary

Gunas are the three fundamental qualities or forces (Sattva, Rajas, Tamas) that govern the nature of the mind and the physical universe.

Primary Meanings

  • Qualities of nature
  • Attributes of the mind and body
  • Virtue or merit
  • Secondary or subordinate element

Tradition Context

Samkhya & Yoga

The three fundamental forces of nature: Sattva (purity/light), Rajas (activity/passion), and Tamas (inertia/darkness). Everything in the material world is a mix of these three.

Bhagavad Gita

Explains how the Gunas bind the soul to the body and how spiritual evolution involves moving from Tamas to Rajas, then to Sattva, and finally becoming 'Gunatita' (transcending all three).

Scriptural Usage

Bhagavad Gita 14.5

"सत्त्वं रजस्तम इति गुणाः प्रकृतिसम्भवाः"

— Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas—these gunas, born of Prakriti, bind the soul.

Significance: Krishna identifies the components of the world that distract the soul from its true, infinite nature and tie it to the finite identity of the body.

Etymology

Dhatu (Root)
guṇa (गुण)
Root Meaning
string, thread, or quality

Gunas are the 'threads' that weave the fabric of the material world (Prakriti).

Broader Context

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