indian psychology type approach to personality

2. • Triguna theory has its roots in Bhagvadgeeta
(chapter 17).
• Bhagvadgeeta is one of the most important
books of Indian philosophy.
• Triguna theory is a composite framework of
tri-dimensional personality to aid the
understanding of the mental make-up of the
person.

3.  the term guna refers to the inherent energy
or tendency with which ‘prakriti’ is created
& with which human mind functions.
 The individual is vital collection of powerful
energies which drives people to work.
 The dynamism of prakriti is due to the
continuous flux of three qualities(gunas):
i) sattva (balanced),
ii) rajas (passionate),
iii) tamas (dull).

4.  These three gunas in
different proportions
influence the mental &
intellectual caliber of
every individual. Guna
indicates the attitude
with which human mind
functions.
 Dominance of guna
determines the
individual’s personality.

5.  It is the ‘spiritual quality’.
 Steady, calm mind. Non-violent, has inherent
desire to be good & caring.
 Capable of vast knowing & deep understanding.
 Work done as a duty w/o expecting for fruits.
 Free from attachment to objects.
 Not affected by success or failure.
 Non-egoistic, firm, enthusiastic.

6.  Clear understanding of desirable &
undesirable, dutiful & undutiful actions.
 Free from doubts. Control on self.
 Pure mind.
 Don’t hurt others.
 Forgiveness, wisdom & faith.
 Help needy people.
 Pays homage to divine & spiritual values.
 Pray god w/o expecting fruits.
 Respect elders.

7.  It is an ‘active quality’.
 Greed, restlessness.
 Desire to acquire things & attachment to
acquired things.
 Rajas guna binds person to bodily activities &
selfish interest.
 Thrust for more & more.
 Filled with joy in success & sorrows in
failures.

8.  Do good activities for gain of respect, fame,
money, etc.
 Help others for self-gains.
 Full of desires, passions & attachments.
 Goal oriented.
 Distorted picture of right or wrong.
 Bold, authoritative.

9.  It is the ‘material quality’.
 Arises from hope & illusions.
 Attachment to myth, immorality & rest.
 Revengeful, win by demolishing others.
 Actions are directed for their own welfare.
 No consistency of purpose, brilliance of
thought, tenderness of emotions.

10.  Views world as if it exists for him alone.
 Narrow & limited vision.
 Careless & irresponsible actions because of
some delusory misconception of the goal. E.g._
smoking, drinking, etc.
 No self control, stubborn, arrogant.
 Creates disputes & quarrels.
 Wrong judgment of ethical & non-ethical.

11.  These three types of personalities are
explained in bhagvadgeeta.
 Apart from these we see combination of
these gunas in people.
 A careful study of guna provides the
capacity of detecting within ourselves the
most powerful tendency that rises up to rule
our mental life at any given moment. A true
knowledge of gunas helps to meet subjective
problems more effectively.

12. Modh S., FAQ: Triguna Theory in
Bhagvadgeeta.(n.d.). Retrieved on February 20,
2013, from
http://www.triguna.org/index.php