On observing the behavior and attitudes of people in general
and even our own for that matter, the impulse to analyze is but natural;
perhaps it due to the desire to survive with better clarity. The simplistic
labels of ‘good’ and ‘bad’ seem juvenile after a while. What causes one to act
in a particular manner is a logical question that humans had long sought to
find an answer.
While some civilizations had been content to attribute it to
God and an External Evil Source, the Hindu thought had delved deeper and its intellect
and insight is evident in its understanding and explanation of the human mind
and behavior.
The three Gunas, Satva, Rajas and Thamas ( ஸத்வம்,
ரஜஸ், தமஸ்) that
humans have been created with, as elucidated in Srimad Bhagavad Gita is a very
logical clarification. Satva is explained as a quality that is pure and
illuminating, Rajas as well entrenched attachment that induces Action and Tamas
as delusion leading to indifference, slothfulness and sleep.
The events and happenings in the world around us do not
indicate the dominance of Satva but more of Rajas and Tamas. Rajas is a quality
associated with the Doers, most likely to be engaged in managing people and things.
The zeal, drive and energy that Rajasic people possess are unmatchable. Their
single minded focus on their goal which is normally clearly quantified and the
devotion with which they pursue it, are worthy of emulation.
We can find Rajasic people everywhere - Managing the State,
the armed forces, establishing and running businesses from the tiny ones to
huge conglomerates, managing various divisions, running hospitals, educational
institutions and every conceivable entity. There is no doubt that the world can
never survive without them. Usually possessing robust health, they bring along with
them dynamism and the zing of energy. They are keen eyed, razor sharp with
ability to ask the relevant questions even of personal nature for assessing people
and no hesitation at all in asking them. The World today recognizes Economic
Success as true success and therefore with each economic success they get more sure-footed,
supremely confident and see themselves as infallible. They are quick to
identify an idea that would soon catch the imagination of the people as they
sense a need or a vacuum much ahead of the others and therefore the world needs
them very much.
When the Rajasic attribute becomes excessive, missions would
no doubt be accomplished but the means adopted could be debatable. All the
resources in command would be employed effectively but be it a business idea or
a social cause, it becomes a tool for personal advancement. Religious Texts,
Government Laws or ideologies left or right, irrespective of the spectrum, the
excessively Rajasic would find ways to use these to empower themselves. Waves of Enlightened
beings, Social Reformers have emerged to bring about a transformation, but this
transformation is hard to accomplish as Rajas
is a much needed attribute. Only the excess needs to be addressed, and it is extremely
difficult to quantify.
The Extremely Rajasic always believes in getting things done
by any means and revels in belittling subordinates for immediate results
regardless of the long term effects. It is not uncommon for them to be
surrounded by a coterie of yes men. Such a state is possible only if a person is
driven by strong passions, caused either by attachment to something which could
often be material and a Very Strong Egoistic Tendencies.
To sustain the high energy levels, it is fairly common to
find such persons involved in activities that are frowned upon by the society. And
people who by their misfortune happen to work with them will also need to seek
such solace as a means of escape.
To sum up, such persons driven by results are highly
celebrated and reach commanding positions in any establishment.
1.
He or She will be intent on reaching
quantifiable goals at the cost of anything including ethics, trampling over
people and other factors such as environment.
2.
They usually are so focused on short term goals
and gratifications that the impact on the future is totally ignored.
3.
There is usually a constant need to project
themselves as the best and to put down others as incompetent.
4.
They can come up with innovative models –
finding ways to extract more for less labour costs; be it hiring temporary
staff forever to negotiating terms with a supplier; many of them could be
lessons on trampling on the weak. The long term of effects of such policies – extracting
work for long hours, denying retirement / medical benefits will no doubt have
costs the society will have to pay up for later. Firing people at will, just to
use cheap labour, in a country with no state support for the unemployed will be
disastrous in the long run. Denying people time with family will result in the
next generation being brought up with little or no values and clarity about
life. The social costs are going to be huge.
5.
When we ponder over it, the spiraling NPAs in
the banks would have also been due to unreasonable targets set by the Rajasics
in the system and similar Rajasics outside the system quick to take advantage
of it.
It is debatable if Excessive Rajas as a quality was ever celebrated
as it is today, in popular thought and aspirations. Had there ever been such
total veneration of people possessing this quality in excess?
Former FBI director James Comey in his new book entitled, ‘A
Higher Loyalty : Truth, Lies and Leadership’ that discusses US President Donald
Trump says, “ His leadership is transactional, ego driven and about personal
loyalty.”
That almost sums up the traits
of an excessively Rajasic person. The world needs to ponder on how much of
Rajas is necessary and how much is excessive. It is a difficult proposition indeed
but it is time the intellectuals and the spiritual masters in the country gave
it some thought. The quest of humans to achieve the dominance of Satva even in
an individual requires lot of discipline and effort. To achieve it as a society
requires a concerted effort. There is a strong need to do so now.
