Direction From Vision

Krishna gives a very comprehensive understanding of the entire science of the management of life. In chapter 18 of the Bhagwad Gita, He says there are three types of visions or points of view that people have about life. Krishna declares that one who sees the oneness of all beings or sees unity in diversity is endowed with the best vision. Such a saatvik vision gives rise to love, service, consideration for others, accommodation of the viewpoints and needs of others, and cordial relationships.

The second type of vision is rajasik in nature. It is a mediocre vision that focuses on differences and understands such differences to be the reality. It gives rise to a sense of ‘I-ness’, ‘my-ness’, ‘your-ness’/ I and my, you and yours. It results in likes and dislikes and leads to conflicts.

The third and last kind of vision is a tamasik vision. It takes a very partial view of life, where a part is mistaken for the whole. Such a person foolishly gets attached to one small thing, being, concept or ideology and this gives rise to bitter fanaticism.

Each of these visions — the saatvik vision of unity in diversity, the rajasik vision of seeing only the differences and the tamasik vision of ignorance — comes with its own consequences and expressions. Accordingly, one with a saatvik vision will be a doer of saatvik karma, and the quality of his karma will be saatvik in nature. Similarly with rajasik and tamasik visions. Thus, depending on our view of life, the very quality of our life is established.

Economic Times, 9/08/2018