17: The Modes of Nature

The Modes of Nature


The Bhagavad-gita informs us that all conditioned souls are forced to
act helplessly by , the impulses born of the modes of material nature.
The soul is thinking that he is acting by his own volition but in
actuality the modes are shaping the soul's desires and actions.


There are three modes of nature: goodness, passion, and ignorance.
According to the specific combination of the three modes that a soul
is affected by, he acts accordingly. The three modes combine to
provide the impulses for every conceivable type of activity in this
world, just as the three primary colors can be combined to yield all
the colors of the spectrum.


According to the combination of modes, one is attracted to certain
types of eatables. For example, the pig is very enthusiastic to
partake of stool (which human beings consider abominable), because the
pig loves food in the mode of ignorance. Food in the mode of goodness
is sweet, juicy, fattening, and palatable. Food in the mode of passion
is too bitter, too sour, too salty, pungent, dry, and hot. Food in the
mode of ignorance is decomposed, tasteless, stale, putrid, and unclean
(such as meat).


A devotee is only interested in eating food that has been offered to
Krishna which purifies his consciousness, and helps him in his
spiritual progress.
1. Bhagavad-gita 3.5
2. Bhagavad-gita 17.8
3. Bhagavad-gita 17.9
4. Bhagavad-gita 17.10
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