UdyamGita

Sattva guna allows one to focus on his work and gain in depth knowledge because he is not distracted by noise and friction created by other gunas. He is contained and clear about what he wants, and he completely diverts his energy and bandwidth towards gaining expertise in the subject that matters to him. Hence, he is usually a master of the domain.

Rajas helps people get execution done because passion drives action here. They often get motivated by the outcomes of their actions and are equally disappointed by failures or negative outcomes. Their mind frequently oscillates based on external validation and results, and they seek immediate gratification. They are jack of all but master of none, as they do not have the patience to master a subject irrespective of outcomes. They are jovial, spread happiness around them, take the team along with them, and are highly action oriented.

Tamas people spread negative traits around them, often demotivating others and seeing issues everywhere. However, they are also needed in the organization because many times they help the entrepreneur see the actual negative side of initiatives and programs. Tamas people are often unable to utilize their knowledge and skills to the fullest due to their negative mindset. Their delusion can be so strong that it becomes very difficult for anyone to bring them out of their illusioned world, and hence they often take a degraded path in life.

Everyone has all these three gunas. Usually, one guna takes priority over others based on the situation and the person in front of them. Only through practice can one control the gunas and express the best guna that helps resolve issues gracefully and without friction. At the end of the day, one should be happy with the way the situation was handled, without losing respect for each other, and in fact feel motivated to work together and achieve higher goals.

Krishna deepens the teaching on the guṇas by revealing their dynamic nature. Sattva binds through happiness and clarity, rajas through action and desire, and tamas through delusion and negligence. These forces are not static. They constantly compete for dominance within every individual.

At different moments, one guṇa rises while the others recede. This inner shift determines how a person thinks, decides, acts, and reacts.

Leadership, therefore, is not just external influence—it is internal governance.

Business Insight

Inside every entrepreneur and employee, there is a silent power struggle.

• When sattva dominates, focus sharpens and noise reduces.
• When rajas dominates, execution accelerates—but so does emotional volatility.
• When tamas dominates, judgment clouds and energy drains.

The quality of decisions in an organization directly mirrors which guṇa is currently in charge—especially at the leadership level.

A company does not fail because of lack of talent.

It fails when the wrong guṇa dominates for too long.

Leadership Lesson

Sattva – Mastery through Depth and Containment

Sattva allows a leader to work without distraction. Energy is not wasted on friction, validation, or unnecessary noise. The mind becomes still, curious, and disciplined.

Such individuals:

• develop deep expertise,
• remain unaffected by outcomes,
• and grow into true masters of their domain.

Their strength lies in patience. They play the long game, refining their craft regardless of immediate results.

Rajas – Momentum through Action and Emotion

Rajas fuels execution. Passion drives movement, deadlines are met, and results appear quickly.

Rajas-driven individuals:

• thrive on outcomes and recognition,
• are energizing and team-oriented,
• bring enthusiasm and speed to the system.

However, their motivation oscillates with success and failure. External validation governs their emotional state. They move fast, but rarely pause long enough to achieve mastery—often becoming jack of all, master of none.

Used well, rajas scales the organization. Left unchecked, it leads to impatience and burnout.

Tamas – The Shadow that Must Be Managed

Tamas manifests as negativity, resistance, and distorted perception. Such individuals often see problems everywhere and demotivate others unconsciously.

Yet tamas has a paradoxical role:

• it sometimes exposes blind spots,
• highlights risks others ignore,
• and forces leaders to confront uncomfortable realities.

Unfortunately, their own mindset prevents them from using their skills effectively. Deep delusion makes transformation difficult, and without intervention, they tend toward stagnation or decline.

Tamas must be acknowledged, bounded, and carefully channeled—never allowed to dominate.

Key Takeaways

• The guṇas are fluid—dominance shifts with situations and people.
• Sattva builds mastery and long-term clarity.
• Rajas delivers speed, energy, and execution—but demands balance.
• Tamas reveals risks but drains momentum if left unchecked.
• Great leaders practice inner control—choosing the right guṇa consciously.