Interaction Between the Gunas Leads to Evolution

[Ms Tercy Lonan]

Interaction Between the Gunas Leads to Evolution
The three Gunas are never separate. They support one another. They intermingle with one
another. They are intimately related as the flame, the oil and the wick of a lamp. They form the very
substance of Prakriti. All objects are composed of the three Gunas. The Gunas act on one another.
Then there is evolution or manifestation. Destruction is only non-manifestation.
The Gunas are the objects. Purusha is the witness-subject. Prakriti evolves under the
influence of Purusha. Mahat or the Great (Intellect), the Cause of the whole world, is the first
product of the evolution of Prakriti. Ahankara arises after Buddhi. Agency belongs to Ahankara. It
is the principle that creates individuality. Mind is born of Ahankara. It carries out the orders of the
will through the organs of action (Karma Indriyas). It reflects and doubts (Sankalpa-Vikalpa). It
synthesises the sense-data into percepts. The mind takes part in both perception and action. There is
no separate Prana Tattva in the Sankhya system. The Vedanta system has a separate Prana Tattva.
In the Sankhya system,mind, with the organs, produces the five vital airs. Prana is amodification of
the senses. It does not subsist in their absence.