Shree Krishna now explains how the same individual’s temperament oscillates amongst the three
guṇas
. These three
guṇas
are present in the material energy, and our mind is made from the same energy. Hence, all the three
guṇas
are present in our mind as well. They can be compared to three wrestlers competing with each other. Each keeps throwing the others down, and so, sometimes the first is on top, sometimes the second, and sometimes the third. In the same manner, the three
guṇas
keep gaining dominance over the individual’s temperament, which oscillates amongst the three modes. Depending upon the external environment, the internal contemplation, and the
sanskārs
(tendencies) of past lives, one or the other
guṇa
begins to dominate. There is no rule for how long it stays—one
guṇa
may dominate the mind and intellect for as short as a moment or for as long as an hour.
If
sattva guṇa
dominates, one becomes peaceful, content, generous, kind, helpful, serene, and tranquil. When
rajo guṇa
gains prominence, one becomes passionate, agitated, ambitious, envious of others success, and develops a gusto for sense pleasures. When
tamo guna
becomes prominent, one is overcome by sleep, laziness, hatred, anger, resentment, violence, and doubt.
For example, let us suppose you are sitting in your library, engaged in study. There is no worldly disturbance, and your mind has become
sāttvic
. After finishing your study, you sit in your living room and switch on the television. Seeing all the images makes your mind
rājasic
, and increases your hankering for sense pleasures. While you are watching your favorite channel, your family member comes and changes the channel. This disturbance causes
tamo guṇa
to increase in your mind, and you are filled with anger. In this way, the mind sways amongst the three
guṇas
and adopts their qualities.