# The Three Modes of Material Nature *On sattva, rajas, and tamas—their effects and how they control us* --- ### Association Determines the Body > *Kāraṇaṁ guṇa saṅgo 'sya sad-asad-yoni-janmasu.* We are born in a particular family, particular circumstances, particular taste. Everything. That is *kāraṇam.* What is the..., why there are differences? *Kāraṇaṁ guṇa saṅgo 'sya.* The *kāraṇa,* the reason is because we are associated with a particular type of modes of nature. — [[spoken/1976/760619sb.tor|Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 7.6.3, Toronto, 1976]] --- ### Spiritual Interest vs Material > Just like a person, at this time he'll be pleased to come here to understand this Bhāgavata-dharma. At the same time, another person will be pleased to go to a brothel or to a liquor shop. Why? The *kāraṇaṁ guṇa-saṅgo 'sya.* The reason is that he's interested with the particular modes of nature. — [[spoken/1976/760619sb.tor|Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 7.6.3, Toronto, 1976]] --- ### Going Up or Down > *Ūrdhvaṁ gacchanti sattva-sthā madhye tiṣṭhanti rājasāḥ jaghanya-guṇa-vṛtti-sthā adho gacchanti tāmasāḥ.* According to their association with the material qualities, one receives their bodies accordingly. Those in goodness go upward, those in passion stay in the middle, and those in ignorance go down. — [[spoken/1976/761016bg.cha|Bhagavad-gītā 9.3, Chandigarh, 1976]] --- ### Controlled by Nature > We are, every one of us, we are fully under the control of material nature. We have put ourselves, in different bodies, we are fully under the control of material nature. There is no question of independence. In the *śāstra* it is described, just like a horse or a bull is bound up in the nose, and the driver, as he pulls on the rope, it has to go according to that. There is no independence. — [[spoken/1976/760619sb.tor|Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 7.6.3, Toronto, 1976]] --- ### Standard of Happiness Varies > We have to understand this, that the sense gratification... In English it is called "One man's poison is another man's food." Why this difference? A particular type of body. Although we are all human being, but every one of us is under the control of the laws of nature. — [[spoken/1976/760619sb.tor|Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 7.6.3, Toronto, 1976]] --- ### According to Your Work > Because of remaining in contact of *sattva-guṇa, rajo-guṇa* and *tamo-guṇa,* as we interact and associate with these material qualities, we will receive our bodies accordingly. So long we will remain under the clutch of *prakṛti,* in this material nature, we will have to suffer or enjoy. — [[spoken/1976/761016bg.cha|Bhagavad-gītā 9.3, Chandigarh, 1976]] --- ### Food Preference by Body > The hog, he's in a particular type of body, and a human being is in a particular type of body. *Deha-yogena dehinām.* This *dehī,* the spirit soul, he's encaged in a particular type of body. Therefore the happiness of the hog is different from the happiness of a man because he has got a particular type of body. A man, if you give him nice *halavā,* he'll be pleased. And the hog, if you give fresh stool, he'll be pleased. — [[spoken/1976/760619sb.tor|Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 7.6.3, Toronto, 1976]] --- ### Bhāgavata-dharma Elevates All > Bhāgavata-dharma means, even one is in the most lower stage of association, he can be raised to the highest stage. That is called *bhāgavata-dharma.* Just like, practical example, these European, American boys. They have changed their habit. How it is possible? Because they have taken to *bhāgavata-dharma.* That is the only cause. — [[spoken/1976/760619sb.tor|Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 7.6.3, Toronto, 1976]] --- ### Karma Can Be Changed > So we must rectify our *karma. Karmāṇi nirdahati kintu ca bhakti-bhājām.* If you cultivate *bhāgavata-dharma,* then your *karma* can be changed. Otherwise, it is not changing. Otherwise, it is not possible. — [[spoken/1976/760619sb.tor|Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 7.6.3, Toronto, 1976]] --- ### Transcending the Modes > In the material world our division that "This is good; this is bad," these are all mental speculation only. In the transcendental position they see that in the material bondage nobody is in goodness; everyone is in trouble. — [[spoken/1966/660829bg.ny|Bhagavad-gītā 5.18, New York, 1966]] --- *10 quotes from Śrīla Prabhupāda on the three modes of material nature* [[wiki/quotes|Back to Quotes]]