The Yoga of Patanjali

Lesson - 9 145These three qualities are bestowed by nature with the highestpower to control everything in creation, from the material planeto the highest spiritual plane, next to what we call the ninthnature. Except the ninth nature (the soul-light) and the tenthone (the lord of the Universe) all other planes of existence areunder the control of these three qualities. It is because the Devaswho work out these three qualities are the beings who presideover the construction of matter, the release of energy, and thefabrication of what we call mind, the background of the existenceof the individuals. Hence these three qualities mix up in infinitenumber of ratios to produce the various temperaments thatgovern the living beings.Each of us is given a temperament which is the arithmeticalresultant of a blend of these three qualities. They condition thefive senses and the mind and protect the individuals by bestowingthe characteristic behaviour of its own. The spell oftemperamental behaviour exists with you until you get theillumination of Samadhi. Then you are allowed to live beyondthe conditioning of these three qualities. Even then the qualitiescontinue to produce the tissues in your body and conduct thevital functions since your vehicles should continue to serveyou until it is time to drop off. You are expected to know thepurpose and the limitations of these three qualities so that youmay learn to live beyond them while, at the same time, cooperatingwith them. As long as the reaction of the mind andthe senses to the environment exists there is the expression ofthe temperamental behaviour. No equilibrium can exist amongthese three qualities as long as you live in the not-self. If theinertia dominates, you live in lethargy and you do not feel likedoing what is expected of you. Impulsions of nature make thingscompulsory and you have to live in bondage and your workin this world becomes compulsory to you. At every step youare driven to do and you live in bondage. You will be a