Sattvic, rajasic and tamasic qualities bind the soul to samsara. We must strive to break free of samsara and attain moksha. Sattvic qualities enable us to know the Truth and to do good karmas. By doing good karmas, we get merits (punya). Punya is also a factor that binds us to samsara, because we have to be born on this earth to reap the benefits of our punya, said M.K. Srinivasan, in a discourse.
Punyas are like golden chains. A golden chain too binds us, and being bound by a golden chain does not in any way make captivity a happy proposition. Rajasic qualities lead to our passions and are responsible for our seeking enjoyment of the senses. Here sin (papa) and merit (punya) both are the consequences. Tamasic qualities result in our being dishonest, egoistic, proud, arrogant, lazy, and unmindful of our duty. All these only lead to sins. These three categories of qualities — sattva, rajas and tamas — are responsible for our repeated births.
So what is the solution? If all actions tie us down, then does it mean we should not do anything in order to escape samsara? Not at all. We must do our duty, but we must dedicate the fruits of our actions to Him. If we do this and if we keep to the rules which He has laid down, then we will not be bound by the fruits of our actions. Then, in course of time, we will attain jnana and understand the nature of the atma. Understanding the nature of the atma will lead to bhakti and therefore in the end to liberation.
We can understand the nature of the atma if we are respectful towards our elders, if we seek solitude, if we shun pride, if we are patient, if we follow ahimsa, if we are free from attachments, and if we are not attached to our body. Then, we will realise that the atma is not the body but is aware of the body. The body is composed of the five elements, tanmatras etc. Atma is the embodiment of jnana.
